The age-herald., 1899-04-09
llnmn Interview uritten bv hlmself.


 bank, as president, and the major as gen. eral manager. Perkins and his friends put up the money necessary to make start. Hobbs then obtained an option on 1000 acres of worn out farm land three miles from town. The owner was willing to sell the land for $5 an acre. As soon as the op- ton was secured Hobbs called meeting Of the company to be held at noon on the fol- lowing day in the town hall, and let 1t be known that he would then announce his plan of organization and his method of giv- ing Mnltown a running start on the high road to prosperity. Three hours before tho time fixed for the meeting Hobbs called at the office of the Watchman and had long talk with Editor Jones and myself. He started off with the statement that we were each to receive large block of stock in the new company and that the paper was to have a page of advertising to begin next day. He insisted that we must both attend the meeting. He wanted Jones to make a speech on the great natural advantages Of Miltown and I was to report the proceed ings.
 I've must have the aid and influence of the press said the major as he shook hands with the editor at parting.
 "There is something about that fellow don't like" said MT. Jones as Hobbs walked out.
 ''He seems to be hustler" I suggested
 "How are collections?" the editor asked, and he looked very grave and nervous.
 .Rather poor, not much coming in this week"
 Jones had a composing stick in his hand and I saw that his fingers were twitching nervously and that his face was clouded. Twice he essayed to speak, but ms lips trembled and there was suspicion or moisture in his eyes.
 The door was opened abruptly, and Ma jor Hobbs re-entered.
 ''Oh, I think forgot to tell you, ColoneI Jones' that if you give us a good send off tomorrow you can draw on the company for $1 0000 at once in case you wish to en- large the Watchman or add any new feat ures. That goes; Hobbs said It. See you at the meeting. So long!'
 I was looking sharply at the editor as the door closed on the promoter. A faint hush spread over his face for moment; he moved forward a step and his fingers closed tightly on the composing stick in his hand For ten seconds he remained silent. Then the flush died out of his cheeks and he turned towards me, but kept his eyes fixed on the floor.
 Do the best you can collections to- day" he said in a low pleading tone. "The fact is, Pm in bad shape. l thought could pull through here and keep the Watchman going. We have just enough paper for to- days issue There are six bundles in the depot, shipped c. O. D. l have over-run my balances at the stores: they won't take any more orders and the agent for the
 
 mortgage. I've tried to borrow money, but l can't get dollar"
 The last words were spoken almost in a whisper and l that the man was mak- ing a determined effort to keep from breaking down.
 But the offer of Hobbs" I said. That will pull you through
 ''I believe he's d fraud. I'll see you at the meeting!'
 Jones turned and hurried back to the
 
 my best to collect a few unpaid subScrip- tions. His statement of financial troubles had rather unnerved me, and 1 met with little success in my efforts to raise money.
 At twelve o'clock one hundred or more citizens of Miltown gathered in the town hall to hear the announcement of the new land company. All those present were sub serlbers for stock except Editor Jones and myself. MT. Perkins was elected chairman of the meeting, and then Major Hobbs was recognized to explain his plan for launch- ing boom. The promoter mounted the platform, smiled on his audience and began to talk in his smoothest tones. He told how other towns had been brought into prominence and were then enjoying great prosperity through the efforts of land com panies
 NOW for the details of our plan" said the major. "We have option on a fine tract of land just outside of town and we can organize a company at once to take over the property. We will start with a capital stock of t1,0o0 900, ten thousand shares at a par value of $10O per share. Our property will be laid out in town lots. Streets and avenues will be opened we will call the place, say North Milltown. Ne can build a fine hotel, street railroads to connect the place with the city, electric light plants for lighting and power build factories and machine shops, churches and school houses lay out parks, reserve cer- tain sections for private residences, and in a short time lots will be seling at nun dreds of dollars per front foot. That, in brIef, is an outline of our p.os- pectus to investors. As to the actual ae- tails of organization, it must be apparent to every one present that there is fortune in the plan for every man who ge,s in on the ground hoor. The land will cost us $5,000. There will be some incidental ex- penses Of organization, but the whole will be only few dollars for each man who goes in. We will advertise the place ex- tensively, start the boom and after We have divided the stock among ourselves We will put it on the market at par. Just think or that! A share of stock that has cost us only a few cents we sell for $100 Gen tlemen, there is money in 1t for all of us. We may not sell all the stock right away but suppose We sell only one-half Of the $l,000,000, that means small fortune for each of us, and then we can let the new stockholders build the factories, sJreet rail- roads and other industries. 'l think you will readily see tho possibili- ties of my plan, but 1 am sure you will be pleased to hear from Colonel Jones, editor of the Watchman, something of the natural resources and prospects of MiiltoWn. He Is a member of our company and no man is better qualified to speak of the grand fu- ture of this town and section."
 There was some applause when Major Hobbs sat down, and it was evident that most of those present quite approved his plan of starting boom.
 Editor Jones was a man of small stature and his voice soft and low. He was very much embarrassed when all eyes were turned in his direction, but in response to repeated calls he got up and faced the chairman. His face was very pale, his hands trembled but there was a flash of determination in his clear blue eyes.
 MT. Chairman!" he began in a weak trembling voice. "I yield to no man in fidelity to the best interest of Milltown. (Applause) The natural resources, the