The Delta independent., 1897-02-03

A cuANcE AcouA1NrANcr.


The train on the Chiwassee Valley eS-
tension lurched uncasily round the
curves in the new track of the branch
like, 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 tie en-
gine where the railway e;nbanlxment
s.irted the stream. The afternoon sun
had droppSd behind the summit of
Johns mountain, but his o5!iguc rays
still poured into the valley through oe-
casional gaps in the ridge, projecting
grotesquely heightened shadows of the
moving train half way across to the
western slope Of Jubal mountain. A
cool breeze, fragrant with the breath of
wild honeysuckle and spicy with the
resinous smell of old-feld pines, blew in
Mt the open windows of the car; and
Thorndyke, lying back in his seat with
half-closed eyes. tried once more to set
in their proper order the events of the
last few days in New York. There WAS
TO particular reason why they should
be 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 Morrisson3', II might
have happened ten years before. He
asked himself il it were possible that it
was only two days since he had choked
in tryingsto cay good-by to Helen. 1t
WAS beyond belief; the miles CT 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 irrevocchiiity? Thorn
dyke pursued these reflections 80 far
into the field of distractions that the
man in the next seat spoke twice before
he got an answer.
Il beg your pardon" Philip eaid,
coming back to actualities with a re-
luctant effort. "What did you say?"
II asked if you weregoing 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 wiry
little man with keen eyes, n thin Lcak-
like nose. scanty black side whiskcrs,
and a struggling mustache droopcd in
an evident but unsuccessful attempt to
cover the faulty teeth. Foresceing
tcdium in the face, he answered vague
ly:
"Yes; I believe my ticket reads TO that
point"
The human fly was not to be silenced
by any such mild discouragement. Il
supposed So" he buzzed. MY name
is Fench-Jenkins Fench,"-handing
Thorndyke q card which ingeniously
combined the name with . somewhat
ungrammaticai advertisements Of tbe
Allacoochee Land, Manufacturing and
Improvement company, Guarapty
building. l23 Broadway. Drop sroand
to my office when you get settled. and
I'll give you some pointers that'1l put
you right in on the ground floor. What
name did understand you to sayT'
II didn't say" contradicted Philip,
meekly, passing his card across to the
man of business.
"Ah, Thorndyks; glad to know you,
Mr.. Thorndyke. AS I was saying, II
youll come around"
II have TO idea of investing in ALA
coochee," Philip interrupted, hoping to
escape. I'm in Alabama for my health,
and 1 don't expect to stay in town very
long"
"Oho, yes; for your health, eh con
sumption, I suppose. Well, well; in
life we're in the midst of death, and no
man knoweth the day or hour"
Mr.. Fcnch seemed nonplused for the
moment, but he rallied Immediately aud
went on with increasing zeal.
'In that case, Mr.. Thorndylsc, what
better legacy could q man leave his
folks than q few solid Investments in
cur promising young city? Why. my
dear sir, as . stranger, you can have
no idea of the vast and wonderful re-
sources of this marvellous region-nbeo-
lutely no idea at all. And Allacoochee
Is the natural center for the whole couu-
try-the point where all the industries
within q radius of 500 miles arc bound
TO cluster. just run your eye over this
map; look at that for location! This
part thsts plated on 10 ss level - .
1poIl