The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1897-11-26
A CASE IN EQUITY.
BY FRANCIS LYNDE.
copyright. 1895. by J. B. Llppineott Col
A CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE.

The train on the Chiwassee Valley ex-
tension lurched uneasily round the
curves in the new track of the branch
ine, leaving a trail of sooty smoke
hanging in the foliage on the mountain
side and stippling the pools in the river
: with showers of cinders from the en-
gine where the railway embankment
skirted the stream. The afternoon sun
aad dropped behind the summit of
Johns mountain, but his oblique rays
still poured into the valley through &C.
,asional gaps in the ridge, projecting
rrotesquely heightened shadows OF the
moving train half way across to the
western slope of Jubal mountain. A
.col breeze, fragrant with the breath of
wild honeysuckle and spicy with the
,esinous smell of old-field pines, blew in
at the open windows of the car; and
TLorndyke, lying back in his seat with
lalf-closed eyes, tried once more to set
IL their proper order the events of the
last few days in New York. There was
no particular reason why they should
De assorted and labeled, save one; the
memory of them seemed to be slipping
away from him. There were times
when he could not be sure that he had
signed his will; when he could not re-
member what he had said to his mother
at parting. And as for that pathetic
little scene in the dimly-lighted draw
ing-room at the Morrissons, it might
have happened ten years before. He
asked himself if it were possible that it
was only two days since he had choked
in trying to say good-by to Helen. 1t
was beyond belief; the miles of distance
had somehow become transmitted into
years of time, and the memory of that
evening, only two evenings ago, was al
ready beginning to fade. Was it only
because the change of scene and of en-
compassment pushed the things of yes
tcrday aside to make room for newer
impressions, or did the reason lie in the
grim fact of irrevocability? Thorn
dyke pursued these reflections SO far
into the field of distractions that the
man in the next seat spoke twice before
he got an answer.
81 beg your pardon" Philip said,
coming back to actualities with re-
luctant effort. What did you say?"
II asked if you were going up to ALA
coochee," said the voice.
1t was an unpleasant voice, remind
ing one of the buzzing of bluebottles
and other annoying insects. Thorn
dyke looked around, and saw why
little man with keen eyes, thin beak-
like nose, scanty black side whiskers,
and n struggling mustache dropped in
an evident but unsuccessful attempt to
cover the faulty teeth. Foreseeing
tcdium in the face, he answered vague
ly:
"Yes; believe my ticket reads to that
point
The human fly was not to be silenced
by any such mild encouragement. II
supposed So" he buzzed. my name
Is Fench-Jenl1ins Fench, "-handing
Thorndyke a card which ingeniously
combined the name with a somewhat
ungrammatical advertisement of the
Allacoochee Land, Manufacturing and
Improvement company, Guaranty
building, 422 Broadway. Drop around
TO my office when you get settled, and
III give you some pointers that1l
put you right in on the ground floor.
What name did l understand you to
say?"
Il didn't say" contradicted Philip,
meekly, passing his card across to the
man of business.
"Ah, Thorndylle; glad to know you,
Mr.. Thorndyke. AS 1 was saying, if
you'll come around"
IL have no idea of investing in ALA
coochce," Philip interrupted, hoping to
escape. I'm in Alabama for my health.
and l don't expect to stay in town very
long"
"Oho, yes; for your health, eh ?-con
sumption, 1 suppose. Well, well; in
life we're in the midst of death, and no
man knoweth the day or hour"
Mr.. Fench seemed nonplused for the
moment, but he rallied Immediately and
went on with increasing zeal.
I'm that case, Mr.. Thorndyke, what
netter legacy could a man leave his
folks than few solid investments in
sur promising young city? Why, my
lear sir, as stranger, you can have
40 idea of the vast and wonderful re-
sources of this marvellous region-abso-
lutely no idea at all. And Allacoochee
IS the natural center for the whole coun-
try-the point where all the industries
within n radius of 500 miles are bound
20 cluster. Just run your eye over this
nap; look ut that for location! This
part that's plated off is as level as a
floor. and here's the railroad running
straight through the middle of it''-he
was leaning over the back of the seat
cow, holding the map spread out before
his unwilling listener-'plenty of room
for sidetracls over here, you see, and
for the shops that the roads going to
build. Then here are the spurs down
to the rolling mill and the furnace on
the bank of the river; this one goes up
to the coal mines and that to the iron
mines across the Little Chiwassee. This
piece of grounds reserved for a wooden
mill, and that strip down there by the
Civer is taken for a swing factory
baby swings, you know sawmill,
planning mill, sash and door factory,
a"
Philip made two or three wild passes
at his human bluebottle, succeeding
finally in interrupting with a promise
to call upon Mr.. Fench at his Office and
pleading WEAKNESS as an excuse for not
investigating the subject on the spot.
Fench folded his map and rested his
case with the promise; but he kept up
a running fire of encomiums on the new