The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-07-07
A RISE IN VALUE.

Of highlands where a little stream came
through a gap that gained access into the
valley for the old straight road now quite
neglected.
The tall man who sat in the front room
in the ancient farm house could look
through this gap from the window and
when his eyes rested upon II ne nodded
his. head and slightly smiled He was
tan man Of very presentabie appearance,
well dressed, well grooned. bright or eye
and firm of jaw tall man Of past 81,
With a few threads Of silver glintins N
his thick black hair Before him with
his back TO the window. sat an aged man,
bent, withered white OF hair scanned and
wrinkIed There was look about the
front room that suggested the absence OF
wOman's care. The walls were grlmy.
and dust chung TO the simple furniture.
Farmer John Sedgwick had lost his wife
a dozen years before.
Yes" the tall man was saying, I Ike
the location, and I've got a little money
to invest. Perhaps I'll build, perhaps III
wait for rise.
There isn't any likelihood OF rise
said the old man with grim smile
Guess tn lands worth precisely today
what it was forty years ago. Fact is.
there isn't anything calculated to boom
it.
Il think you are doing wisely TO drop
the burden he said. THAT is, if my
offer strikes you favorabiy.
Its the only offer I've had for twenty
years" he said. Guess 1 haven't any
choice"
Well said Henry Andrews, ''the work
Of changing location VIII not be heavy
No" said the old man, I've let every
thing wear out and haven't bought any
thing new. Guess about all OF my own
that I'll Y ant 10 take viii be my shaving
tools and tn old sword.
4 q
Henry Andrews.
No sir" said the old man. with little
emphasis. MY sword. Carried II at
Gettysburg for the last time. was
CAPTAIN there-captain in the Elghty-set
ondond Company G. / m little proud
OF the old relic.
"Of course" said Henry Andrews But
you say you carried it for the last time az
Gettvsburg Were you disabled there
No" laughed the old man, but the
sword was Want to see it,
See tbat2' he asked as he drew out the
blade That's where Jim Tolliver over
TO the village riveted it, faint much of
a job. but it was done for use. You see
I was wavin' the old blade over my head
like this and was lookin back at the boys
and yelIin' to EN- to hurry up. when zlpp!
came n chunk of a Johnny Reb shell and
cut tn blade square in two right there
close to tn HILL"
DO you draw pension?" asked Henry
Andrews.
aMe?'' said the old man Strengthening
m NO. I'm well and strong-I don't
want any pension. Pensions are FOR IN
hurt and tn helpless. Please God III
never need one.
Good afternoon. Miss Fairleigh,' he
said, with uplifted hat as he neared the
lady.
She turned and saw him.
Good afternoon. Mr. Andrews.
She was a handsome woman of nearly
30. neatly gowned and bearing in her glow
ed hand small boquet OF wild MOVERS
'.This is an unexpected pleasure, said
Henry Andrews. as he fell into step be-
side her. How goes the story
Il almost regret to say that it is at the
threshold of the last chapter, the young
woman replied.
1T seems very strange that we should
meet in such an out of the way place,
said Henry Andrews. You choose TINS
quaint bit of country in which TO finish
your story and the railroad selects a route
that brings me 10 the same spot
And how do the land negotiations pro-
ceed?"
tire gap and the land beyond is already
ones"
you have bought from Johh Seus"lCh
them
II have his promise to SELL
HE deserves well of his fellow man,
said Elizabeth Fairleigh. May ! ask
she said what you expect 10 pay John
Sedgwick for the old farTn?'
I have offered him $50 an acre. 1t is
wretched land "
There is a mortgage. believe.
YES. it is mortgaged for $500 The
~ IN Va OR
many years.
There was little silence.
s.He told me he had 100 acres" said Eli
zabeth Fairleigh. After the mortgage Is
paid he viii have $500 left. It seems very
little. doesn't it. for this worn out old
man. He is going to live with distant
relatives when ne breaks up here. He
will be welcome only so long as he mas
money and he may live on for many
wears. It isn't a pleasant outlook
NO" said Henry Andrews. But no
one would offer him more for the land. 1t
is all it is worth.
isn't it worth more to the railroad?'
YES" said Henry Andrews. "A great
deal more"
of course. John sedgwick doesn't know
about the railrCad2
No You are the only one VINO KNOWS
my mission here
But If John Sedgwick did know the
real value of his land and raised his price
YOU would nay it?'
Yes. The railroad needs the gap.
They walked on in silence
Elizabeth Fairleigh, said Henry An
Grews presently. Il am very glad / met
v0u-even though 7 find 1t disquieting 10
both my heart and conscience. VIII you
walk out with me when ! go TO close the
bargain with John Sedgwick
sTerv gladly" said Elizabeth Fair
leigh.
The next afternoon was sunny, yet cool
and eXhilarating.
Elizabeth Fairleigh and Henry Andrews
saw John Sedgwick afar eft
re aid NOT see Henry Andrews until the
latter was close TO him. Then. at sight
Of the lazy. he jumped down and removed
his hat
You're right on time. sir he said.
But felt sure you would be
I'm fairly good at keeping my engage
meuts.~ said Henry Andrews And ] We
brought Miss Fairleigh along as Wit
aTm honorea.~ said John sedgwick.
shall we go into the house
NO" replied Andrews. The business
VIII take but d few minues- II refleIn-
her right ,ve did not come 10 a positive
understanding regarding your land
\ shadow fell across the old mans face
Il thought the understanding was
clear" ne aid You were To give me-
one mor.ent cried Andrews, hastily.
we must weigh our words carefully To-
day We have witness present Let Us
beware of making compromising adTnis-
eBut don't see how can let Il % for
any less
Il rsreied would dnd you iittle Oh
stfnate OF course Is Is nay business 81
bus IS cheap as possible Sou must adj
m!t thaf 1t me same time knowing as
vou d. that your farm has come into the