The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-10-20

er and understanding companion:
"Heres our sucker. Jim. Look ont
the other fellows don't get him."
As the German stepped upon the
platform. the small man snatched his
umbrella and valise. while the tall man
clutched him firmly by the arm and
shoulder and rushed him toward q
buggy. Instantly a great crowd surged
around them, yelling like demons and
poking cards in the face of the fright
encd German.
-Hurry up, Jim. Here. quick, let's
land him" And before Jake could col
lect his scattered senses he was
grasped on either side by his arms
and legs and lifted bodily into the
buggy. The tall man jumped in and
lashed the horse, and they went tear
ing up the street like mad.
Jake thought Of his money, Of his
wife. and little Gretchen, and be-
moaned the day he ever left them. He
could not doubt that he had fallen
among robbers. and, Us they emerged
from the city, he was sure he was be-
ing taken 10 their den in the noun
tains that lowered menacingly near.
His heart stood still at the thought,
What would they do with him?
Meanwhile the real estate man talked
tages of Pasadena as n place of resi-
dence, occasionally stopping to go into
raptures over q certain lot which he
advised the German to purchase at
once. as ii would double in value in
"a hours. But his eloquence fell un-
needed upon mind oblvious of all
but its own heartsick misery. Every
time the real estate man knitted his
shaggy eyebrows and turned on him
those piercing gray eyes. Jake shud-
dered.
At last weary of his Improbable
task, the tall man cast an angry glance
at the trembling German and in silence
drove him to hotel. Throwing his
luggage after him. the real estate ma n
drove away disheartened. after in
forming Jake that another member Of
his firm would call at four o'clock. hop
ing, no doubt, that some one else would
have better luck in inducing the Ger
man 10 purchase town lot.
Now, Jake had no desire or inten-
tion of meeting another member Of
that firm. either at four o'clock or
any other time, and finding that the
train left in Is minutes tor Los Angeles,
he made his way 10 the depot in all
possible haste.
II the scene at the depot Al Pasa-
dena was bewiIdering. exciting. alarm
ing, II was ten times more so at Los
Angeles Schmidt sat as II riveted to
his seat, and dared not venture forth
until the porter notified him with great
dignity that the train had reached its
destination. intimattng quito pointed
ly that bis absence was infinitely more
desirable than his company. As Jake
alighted from the car, he perceived the
door Of carriage standing invitingly
open on the other side OF. the court and
made for It on the run, the rabbleafter
him. He boltei head foremost into the
vehicle, and the hackman. being suf-
'hcientiy up TO the situation, sent his
horses off at q gallop, and landed him
safely at the hotel. Jacob Schmidt
congratulated himself upon his mar
row escnpe. Nevertheless, when he de-
seended 10 dinner that evening, he
glanced furtfveiy in all directions, but
as the way appeared TO be clear he
walked confidently along the corridor.
Just as he was entering the dining
room, he was suddenly confronted by
two men who politely bowed md at
tempted to hand him some cards.
"IIaf no time 10 talk," said Jake,
hastily, looking for an avenue Of es-
cape.
"Ifow very fortunate" said the
spokesman. "We orc also very short
of time. But there Is no place more
conducive to a good business under
standing than the dinins-room." And
the three walked into the t1ning-room.
arm in arm One of the men spread!a
map out on tho table, and they took
turns In explaining the advantages Of
certain properties in Los AngeNs that
were advancing in value nt an cxtraor-
d1nary pace. Jake felt helpless, while
the waiter tried frnn,ically to get their
order.
"Oh, bring us anything, anc ~ -
long sbout Il - 700 Ike" said oDs sf
~ ~ Gu1nas N, tDUUiAS ~
waitse Q AsllR.
After diAnW ~ oODaa ~ ~
formed that 80 Of ~ nea Would sall
for him ht nine o'clock In the mem
ing and take him out to see the prop
erty. In consequence OF which threat
1T seemed to jake threat-he passed
a very bad night. But he was up bright
and early in the morning. and having
ascertained that there were fewer real
estate men 10 San Diego, he took the
early train for that point.
That there were fewer real estate
men In San Diego was true, but It
seemed to Jake that they were Of u
more virulent type. The terrible ex-
periences OF the past few days, which
had already played sad havoc with his
Lerves and upset the equilibrium of
his simple Teutonic mind. had. never