The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-05-07
CHAPTER XI.
GREEN WANTS MORE PROFIT.

uhLf4N VANS NUKE ihNfIL
Along in October Harry Pearson
went east for the purpose Of getting
married. He had not gone to Green's
more than once or twice after the con-
versation between him and Scraggs. but
he consoled himselfin in leaving with the
thought that it would not be long be-
fore he was back again; and he hoped
by that time to be able TO sway Louise.
TO his wishes.
Scraggs said nothing to the Greens OF
the young mans intentions, for in the
first place he realized that they would
be slow to believe him, and in the sec
ond place he found it a little diff
cult to approach them on such u sub
ject. 1nen again he told himself that
it would be premature, anyhow, to
speak then, as il was probable that
once married Harry would give up his
dea,E,us ON Louise, and even if he didn't
it would be time enough to speak when
Pearson came back. So the matter
rested.
The boom at Paradise Park assumed
sale of lots grew greater day by day,
and at last the rush of customers was,
80 overwhelming that Scraggs found it
necessary to take in two extra assist
ants Several new buildings were put
in course of erection, and three news
papers, two of them with daily issues,
were established in the town.
s l.,4r
three times within as many days, and
always at a large advance. Specula-
tion ran wild and option dealing be-
came the rage of the hour. John Green
made no effort to sell his lots, for they
were well located, and he felt secure in
holding them. They would go on in
creasing, he thought, and when the
railroad companies began to construct
their lines into the place, and all the
other public improvements were put
under way, their value would go be-
yond anybody's expectations. He de-
termined to hold tn EN-, and hold them
he did.
But Scraggs made an effort to sell
them, and in short time he found
customer who offered to take them at
double what John paid. Scraggs sent
FOR John and laid the offer before him,
saying:
1T is big profit on the investment,
Mr.. Green, and my advice is to take it."
NO" said John, 81 can do better
than that next year. Wait till the rail-
roads come in"
81 tell you, Green" Scraggs went on,
now is a good time to sell. You double
ycgr money, and that is profit enough.
Take my advice and sell out | can
loan your money where it will be safe
and where it win bring you good inter-
est. Make the change, then when the
mortgage on your farm is due you will
have the money TO pay it off"
But John shook his head, saying.
"You can get no interest to equal the
profits on the lots, and besides | would
rather not turn usurer."
Scraggs was silent for little while,
during which he looked hard at the
floor. Then looking up he said:
''Green, | have purpose in advising
you as l do / do not like to say what
that purpose is, but assure you it is an
honest one, and besides it is well found
ed For your own good ] advise you to
this step. Get your money out of these
lots, and keep it out"
John made no reply but looked at
Scraggs incredulously. The agent saw
that he had made no impression, and he
continues:
'Will you promise upon your oath,
Green, never to whisper a word of what
am going to tell you?"
eyes, if it is right that should not."-
81 don't know that it would be ex-
actly right, but know it would be to
your interest, and would, if you acted
on it, save your money and save you
from great deal of suffering, perhaps
But be that as it may, won't reveal
any secret. 1t wouldn't be safe. viii
say, though, let those lots go and make
your money secure"
isn't it secure where it is?" John,
asked.
"You heard what I said, Mr.. Green, "a
Scraggs replied, land ought to be able
to draw your own conclusions. / say
take your money out of the lots end
make it safe, That's all can say to
you, and it's more than have said or
will say to anyone else. l have
reason for advising you to this step,
and strange as it may seem, it is al
together for your interest that do it."
''It's a little strange, indeed, Mr.
Scraggs," John said with an incredu-
lous shake of the head that you
should feel such an uncommon interest
70 my welfare. I cannot understand,
Cr0 he EtoILnaed.