The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-11-02

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man with a squeaky voice, standing
directly below the auctioneer.
"One thousand dollars rOarcd th'
auctioneer. Put that man OUT If
hear an offer Of less than four thou
sand dollars thereIl be trouble"
-Four thousand dollars" called on
Dake. In his bold, harsh voice.
Now that's something Ike said
Ben Jarrold "but IT isn't enough. Give
me another bid! It's worth eight thou
sand dollars this J1in1te."
On the outskirts OF the crowd a
man whom no one knew called out, in
a loud distinct voice:
Five thousand dollarsw
Every one turned ana looked at him
Old Nat Dake started and stared ~
the stranger with n scowl. His mort.
gage was for four thousand dollars
and he had expected TO bid In the farm
for that sum. His savage glance did
not disturb the stranger. He was a
tail man, not over thirty years Of age,
with n smooth, sunburncd face.
"Now that is something like, ladies'
and gentsw rOared Ben Jarrold.
give thousand will do very well 10
begin with, but 1t isn't near it's value.
I'm offered five thousand dollars. Five
thousand, five thousand dollars. Five
thousand, Eve thousand, am ! offered
sixW
"Fifty-ole hundred" called out Nat
Dake.
"Fifty-fve hundredw said the stran-
ger, and poor Lyman's face bright
ened. This would enable him to pay
all of his debts and save his furniture
and farming implements.
Dakc's face was dark with rage, and
his keen gray eyes flashed as he
snarled out:
"Fifty-six hundred"
FIFTY sevenr cried the stranger.
"Fift eight hundrcdw cried Nat
Dakc, between his set teeth. He loved
money, but he loved his own way, and
he would spend his dearly priced
money rather than be- thwarted in
anything on which he had set his
heart
"Fifty-nlnc hundredr called out the
stranger coolly.
six thousandw almost shrIekcd Nat
Dake, whereupon the stranger called
out:
"Seyen thousandw
"Ah.! This Is something like" cX-
claimod the auctionecr, glcefully rub
bing his hands. How is IL. Brother
Dake? VIII you make 1t seven thou.
sand five hundred"
Nat Dakc hesitatcd a moment; then
he said, savagely:
Yes, | willr'
Good enough said Ben. "And
now will the gentleman"
Eight thousand" exclaimed the
gentleman, whcreupon Nat Dakc, livld
with rage, mounted the piazza steps
and called out, dchantly:
"Who be you, and how does any one
know that you're making n real bony
fidy bid? There's some trick about
thisl Folks ain't round giving eight
thousand dollar for five or six thou
sand dollar farms! Who bc you, and
what proof have we got that you mean
what you sayY
The stranger came forward, mounted
the steps, and stood on the other side
of Ben Jarrold
MY name" he said, is Harvey Mcr-
GER, and here is evidence of my good
faith"
He drew forth large leather wallet
bulging with bills, and held it up for
an To see.
"Somc of YOU" he said, remember
David Mercer, who lived here many
years ago"
IL dow cried several voices at once.
"lIe was my father, and | was born
on the old Mercer place down by the
ferry. about two miles from here. Ly-
man Hart and my father were boys
togetht', and when. after they were
men, trouble came TO my father, Mr.
Hart befriended him in many ways
lie became security for my father on
n note for fifteen hundred dollars. and
the first mortgage the generous man
put on this place. am told. was 10
raise the money To pay that note.
My father wcntsto the West. whore
he engaged in mining. but for twenty
five years he experienced nothing but
i'll luck. He knew worse poverty there
than ever he knew here. until three
months ago. when. in Western par
lance. he struck Il rich
"But his good .ortune came too late
Tor him to enjoy Il. While preparing
for trip East for the purpose OF max
ing restitution To his creditors he was
taken III. and died after a weeks Ill
ness. Among his last instructions to
me was a request that | should come
East and pay Lyman Hart the money
due him. with full interest. More than
this. he charged me q add TO II an.
sum thai might be needed TO free Ly-
man Hart from debt. was solemrly
urged to do this TO show my fathers
love and gratitude &c one who. hc
said. was the friend of tho friendlcss
and the helper OF the helpless My
friends. am here To pay that debt"
There was wild outhurst OF ap.
plausc. In the mplst Of wEicb Lyman
Hart stole forward AMI put his arms
around Harvey Mercer and hid his
bearded face on the young mans
shoulder.
When the applause had died away
Nat Dake. his face n picture Of baflied
desire and fierce resentment said
snceringly:
"All right. young man. all right. but
u won't bC very long before Lyme