The Holly chieftain., 1897-11-05

OF coal In this oue"-intlicating the
shndowy bulk of Johns mountain ris-
ing like u black cloud bank above the
roof OF the courthouse.
We'll, guess that settles 1t. Well
have to have Gates land beforewe make
another move. Have you fixed up your
map?"
ibid that to-day; the town-site will
take in the strip between the river and
the mountain, running down this way
ns far as we can get options. Gates
farm covers the best part of the tract
mp there at the mouth OF the Little
Chiwassee, and suppose we'd better
buy that outright. Does he still want
two thousand for it?''
He did yesterday, but think I've
scraped together few details that'il
help him change his mind. You know
leverything has history. if you can
only get at the facts
''Of course. What did you find out ~
II got the whole story of the property.
It seems that the place used to belong
to an old fellow by the name Of Kill
grow, who lived OH the mountain and
made moonshine whisky or apple bran
dy, or something in that line, that got
him into trouble with the revenue peo-
pie. Gates, who was fence for the
moonshiners, held the land an tenant
under Kilgrow for some years, and
never claimed it until after the revenue
officers had run Kilgrow out of the
country. That was six years ago, and
nfter the old mountaineer was well out
OF the way, Gates gave it out that the
land was his-that he bought it some
time before the raid. Nobody seems to
have questioned his title. though there
is no record OF any transfer from Kill
grow"
"Then Kilgrow is probably the right
full owner now ?"
'He would be il he were alive; but he
died in Texas three years ago. and, so
far as can find out, there are no heirs
| in sight,
'.Oh, then 1t don't make SO much diff
| ference. after ALL" said Fench.
NO, except that il gives us good
leverage on Gates. 1t leaves u gap in the
title; but l guess we can doctor that
up
"Yes, ensy enough. Wen go and sec
Gates in the morning, if you're ready"
Lawyer Sharpless had not overesti-
mated the vnlue of his discoveries.
i When the leverage was applied to James
Gates on the following day, the farmer
| promptly produced witness who
claimed TO have been present when the
purchase was made. and who confirmed
the rumor OF Kilgrow's death by as
serting that he had helped bury the old
mountaineer three years before on the
Texan frontier. Sharpless ignored the
witness, and pointed obstinately to the
fnulty record, insisting that Gates
should produce the original decd. The
farmer declared ut first that the docu-
ment was among his papers, and then
that it had been lost. Pushed to the
wall. he wayered, cut his price in half,
and disappeared from the valley as soon
as the transfer was made to the new
owners.
| II Sha-pless doubted the asseyera-
tions Of Gates and his opportune wit
ness, he made no sign; nor was he dis
i turbed by the significant fact that the
witness vanished with Gates. The at
torney had assured himself beforehand
Upon two points the certitude OF Kill
grows title to the land, and the abb
sence Of heirs who might become
troublesome future claimants, With
these two premises in reserve, he be-
lieved that the title acquired from
Gates could be made as good as valid.
After the purchase OF the Gates farm,
Sliarpless and Fench spread report
that they were about to try an expert
ment in tobacco raising on a large scale /;
and with this ostensible object in view
they proceeded to secure options upon
other tracts in the valley. Since they
offered good prices for poor land, there
was little haggling: and in few days
the required acreage was under con-
troll. This was the first move in the
complicated game OF evolution, and
when it was made the promoters cele-
brated their success with fresh box
Of cigars and a bottle of rather sickish
native wine in their room at the Noun
toin house.
We're in great luck. 80 far" said
Sharpless. examining the map spread
out on the table between them. YOU'D
better write them to go ahead in New
York with their articles of incorpora-
ton. wonder II Birkmore il ready to
begin on the railroad extension?"
HE ought to be; hewns to send Ray
rond up to let US know when the
strings were ready to pail"
The answer 70 the question was COM
LSar
ling. and presently entered the room IN
the keeping of man whose clothes
gave evidence Of hard riding over mud
dy roads.
Hello, Raymond" said Fench; eve
were just talking about you. How's
everything down below?"
"All right" replied the newcomer.
''The material Is oil up, and Birkmore's
waiting for the word to begin"
That's the talk!'' exclaimed the
manager. "Can you find your way back
to Prnttville to-night2"
"Why, yes, ] suppose so-if have to.
I'm dog-tired. though"
swell. times precious; guess you'd
better get fresh horse and go. Tell
liirkmore not to lose minute. Is he
fixed % work night gang by electric
light?" s
'Yes."
Good enoughl Tell him he emit get
n locomotive into Alincoochee sny too
quick to please US now. HAVE 4 drink,
and put some cigars in your pocket TO
smoke on tho way"
When the messenger left the room
Sharpless leaned back ih his chair and