Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-21

The once splendid property of the
Southern Grain andLumber company was
in ruins, and had been so for such a
period that 1t ceased 70 interest any one
but the passing stranger. Its splendid
beginning and sudden collapse no longer
elected the comment Of the people to
whose neighborhood 1t promised at one
time to bring. prosperity.
Yet the size and its surroundings were
mighty even IN its decay. The main build
ing was intact, though lush vines crept
up through the half-rotted floor, the dirt
dauber built along the Wondering walls,
and the Jinsightly windows; and through
the adjacent woods hundreds of decaying
logs testified to the mammoth scale of
the enterprise in its incipiency. The
kingfisher, sperched on a protruding shaft
over the great dam, was seldom disturbed
except by the lidler or an occasional ang-
Ter; and down on the, sandbar the wary
turtle LACED in the summer sun, with
none to modest or make it afraid. What
calmness to follow the hustle and stir
the place knew In the years gone by!
Ten years before, Colonel Wayland and
his young friend Holm McVail had con-
ceived the idea of erecting their plant
there. and the future doomed 'propitious
indeed. With a capital OF a quarter Of
q million dollars they purchased ten
thousand acres OF timbered land, erected
a giantic concern that was a wonder TO
the natives, ana brought from distance
three or four hundred lumbermen as well
as a number, of agriculturists and ex-
perienced millers Millions of feet of lum-
Der were cut, eand the Whir OF saws and
the drone Of rollers made song which
stirred the sleepy denizens into some
thing like a corresponding activity.
Suddenly, however, there were rumors
OF friction between the partners; sensa-
tional trial resulted; the owners Of the
property left the community, the employees
following from time to time; and the logs
in the mountains became moss-covered
and rust began its ravages on the ma
chinery.
Colonel wayland,s family consisted of
himself, his son Luther, and a niece, Miss
Mary woolistan. The son was dissipated,
and the gossips- had 1t that this was one
reason for Colonel Wayland's removal to
that out of the way region-indeeds a more
cogent one than the hope. of lettering MS
fortune. Luther and McVail had no adj
miration for each other. and 1t soon be-
came apparent that their dislike was due
to a rivalry for the hand Of Miss Woolis-
tan. Their relations were strained from
the beginning and 1t was somewhat nat
ural that the father should take sides with
his son, though man of too much judy
ment to believe that the latter was al
ways right in the tits the young men
now and then had.
One day, surmising- that McVail had
declared his love to the young lady, and
that she had responded favorabiy, Luther
had an interview with his rival, upraiding
him for coming between, him and happi-
ness. and intimating that the attentions to
his cousin should cease. He was under the
influence of intoxicants, and McYan over
looked for the time his threats and Inn
pertinence; but later In the day was fore
ed to more drastic measures. He was APP
preached by Luther just outside the main
building, where a number OF the employees
and patrons were gathered, and before he
was aware of the young mans intentions
was struck a singing blow in the face.
Now, you dastard!" Missed Luther.
amy one who takes that is fully enti-
tied to- the role of treacherous friendf'
Mcvail was rather slight physically, but
he had developed his muscles by out
door sports, and was in consequence
wiry Antagonist when aroused. The in