The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-03-14
FULTON COUNTY NEWS.
ONE TOO MANY
By walter @. Butterworth.


land township there lived a man whose
name was Lemuel Prouty. He was n
real estate agent and had long enjoyed
monopoly Of the business In that village.
At intervals when newcomer hung
out his "shingle," bearing the inscription,
"So-and-so, Real Estate" old Lem
Prouty, as he was commonly called,
would exert his energies to drive him
out of business, and invariably in the
course of a few months he succeeded. So
shrewd was this veteran trader and such
n hold did he have In his town that in 20
years only two sales had been made by
rival agents, and In each instance they
had been compelled to buy the old man
off to prevent his upsetting the trade.
One day as old Lem sat in the open
doorway of Tom Connor's stable he re-
marked:
''The man who gets ahead of me, Tom,
must rise up early in the morning and sit
up late o. nights; in fact, he must stay
up most all the time"
Tom laughed and replied, 'T guess
that's about right, Lem"
At this point Bill Gardner. the portly
constable, who was sitting on barrel
enjoying an after dinner cigar, piped out,
"What Lem Prouty don't know about
sellin houses nin't worth KNOWN. an I'll
bet $40 to one on him any day"
Some days later, as old Lem sat in the
stable doorway smoking aud chatting
with party Of acquaintance, his eye
rested on a new sign in bold characters
which read, ANDREW Gray, Real Es-
tate"
"AhaW exclaimed the old trader.
"NNho Is this? Wen have to look into
the matter and give him his passports"
Shortly afterward the Office door open
ed, and young man stepped out. He
was tall and slightly round shouldercd,
with red curly hair and the foundation OF
sandy beard, while his clothes were
worn and somewhat seedy. He present.
ed the appearance of a young man from
the country.
"a verdant hayseedr' exclaimed the
old trader. "That's easy game enough
He spoke so loudly that the young man
cast sharp glance at him as he passed
down the street.
Immediately old Lem started in pur
suit, and, by keeping at a safe distance
and inquiring of neighbors aud acquaint
ances with whom he saw the young mar
talking, he managed TO learn that his
young rival had effected a sale and thai
the papers were to be drawn up on the
morrow.
That evening the veteran trader called
upon Mr.. Andrew Gray at his Office.
"Mr. Lemuel Prouty, sir" said tha
worthy gentleman. seating himself in
chair, with some emphasis.
Good evening. sir" said the youn.
man. with a glance that seemed to say
81 have seen you before and don't enter
tain very good impression of you"
"Well, sir" began old Lem, - s'pos
you know who am. For % years ~,
handled all the property that's been sol,
around here, and whenever I've had
competitor I've squelched him. Sow
understand, sir. that you've made sale
and just dropped around to say that tn
man you've traded with is an old frien
of mine, and that have place which
know he would like great deal bcttel
Unless you are willing to make it righ
with me | shall see him at once"
"Sir," replied Alr Gray rather sharply
''the trade is all made. and he has agree
to take the place"
"AgreedW thundered old Lem
whats that amount to? ! know tn
man better than you do. and when ca
give him better place and save hin
money, too, he won't be fool enough t
take yours"
A look OF deep concern overspread tn
the iace OF andrew gray. ana Tor som
tiine ne was iost in thought flnaliy h
iookeu up ana inquired:
III l give you half my commission
VIII you be satishedF
YES perfectly! replied old Lem, hi
race beaming with triumph.
Agreed Haid Mr.. Gray. u will civ
yon one-naif or what get for selling tn