The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-05-01

have been brought here to build roads,
bridges, ETC., and ] am also to pay $1,000
for that wooden shell which is ulti-
mately to be thecourt house,
i This was a revelatio to Guy. Here
was the ''tenderfoot" about whom the
Colonel had told him. The Colonel,
however, had said nothing of condi-
tional bargain. (.
I'm case we lose the county seat, Mr..
Pinchbeck," said Guy, what would
happen?"
wrinkles disconnected his glasses and
they evaded his handsa and dropped into
his lap. The smile faded into a look
of vexation as he picked up the glasses
and damned them bac ok on the bridge of
his nose.
"That's all right, Mr.. Herbert. I
have contract with Vlandingham for
a block at the same figure in case his
town wins"
Guy was startled.
'sHas Mr.. Vlandingham also imported
some voters?" he asked.
"Um-I don't know as ought to say
so, but he has run in lot of fellows
from Bismarck-the same number as
Keever brought in from Jimtown.
They're working somewhere around
Harmony, and will be in evidence on
election day."
I'm case Harmony wins, you are 60
ing to pay Vlandingham's workmen. Is
that it?"
'That's it,
Col. Keever said you were tender
foot, Mr.. Pinchbeck, but you certainly
do not act like one. No matter from
which direction the breeze comes, you
have an anchor to the windward."
Its just plain business, that's all"
returned Mr.. Pinchbeck, dashing his
hand to his face just in time to keep his
glasses there.
''Is Mr.. Vlandingham also building
a courthouse?"
"N-no. I drove over from Harmony
this morning and saw Vlanding ham be-
fore started. He's got something up
his sleeve. hardly know what, though.
He told me that fools build courthouses
and wise men occupy them. I don't
know as I ought to tell you this, being
a non-combatant, a. you might say, but
I guess it won't do any harm. Wan
bingham is deep one, but his daughter
is deeper still.'
"What you know about Miss Wan
dingham?' asked Guy, with sudden in
terest. Mr.. Pinchbeck started to an
swer, but had to pause to grab his
glasses again. "Why don't you get
cord?" asked Guy, somewhat testify.
"Eh?"
cite 'em on" continued Guy, point
ing to the glasses. IF they were mine
they'd give me nervous prostration I
don't know but they will anyhow
II get so mad sometimes,'' admitted
Mr.. Pinchbeck, 'that feel as though I
could swear" He put the glasses in his
pocket. "Nearsighted, you know, and
can't tell a dog from a wildcat across
the street."
II was asking what you know about
Miss Vlandingham?" said Guy.
$50 you were. Miss Vlandingham.
Mr.. Herbert, is one of the cleverest
young women I have ever seen. Her
mind is by far the brightest of any in
the rival town. She'll give you the fight
of your life and I'm inclined to think
that her town will win. She's a girl Of
infinite resource that the episode of
this morning clearly illustrates the
spectacular way she has of doing
things. Gracious! Think of woman
deliberately DOMINIC a disguise and
coming deliberately into hotbed of
partisanship like this!'' Mr.. Pinch
beck seemed so overcome by the
thought that he found it impossible to
continue for several moments. "You
are young man without much expert
ence, Mr.. Herbert" he said, finally" land
I'd like to give you word of advice.
Will you accept itin kindly spirit?"
"Certainly, Mr.. Pinchbeck. What
have you to offer?''
"Amityville is the key to this county
seat situation. One lot of imported vot-
ers will offset the other and as Amity-
vile goes so goes the election. Doyou
! catch on?"
&c think do
''Personally, I have little choice be-
tween Concord and Harmony. Still,
my profits, if this town is victorious,
will be slightly greater, as the blocks
are four lots larger. Hence this tip, Mr.
Herbert. Get county map and study
it,"
Mr.. Pinchbeck got up, walked over
to the cigar case and took out a cigar,
laying a nickel in the box for suchpur-
pose made and provided.
The principle of gain'was too firmly
wrought into Mr.. Pinchbeck's> ma
ture for Guy to estimate him very high
~ as man, but he had furnished the
youth with good deal of mental pab-
ulum.
Every makeshift and design in the
rival towns appeared to cluster about
the personality of Miss Betty-Miss
Betty with her Titan hair and melting
eyes-as dauntless as she was charm
ing, as brave as she was resourceful.
She had met Col. Keever' most diplo-
matte move, bringing in voters from
l.