Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1902-02-13

ance) )-WOuld you! PernapS we mlSnI
not get SO much. We only paid $11 900
you know. But, Martha, l almost fee
as you do. This is a palace. These
people would not be scared If l asked
$4,000, would they?
She-Fifty, sure; may be more, but
never Cent less.
A door leading into the room opens
and-enter four gentlemen. They are
not especially portly. They wear nc
jewels, and their raiment is not noisy
But they bring with them an atmos-
phere of great worldly solidity, of lux.
ury and confidence, and peace of mind.
Though their dress is sober, it is made
of the softest cloths and fits them as
maidenly modesty fits a girl childs
| face. They are white-haired, yet rosy
faced. They eat and drink the best
He sees nothing of all this. She sees
and feels it completely. He is Won
dering whether he dares to ask $4,000
for his $11 900 place She feels that fol
the first time in her life she is in the
very presence of some of the fabulous
fortunes of which she had read sc
much.
Remember that though I am writing
this great comedy in dramatic form ii
is true story of what really happened
at the close of last winter. l had the
facts from very sober man of great
affairs in Wall street-a man who
knows and has accomplished whatever
he wishes. If l told his name nc
American would question a word OF
the story. | am sorry l have not per-
mission to add to his story the con-
vincing hall mark of his identity.
The spokesman of the quartet OF
great millionaires speaks:
The Spokesman-You are Mr.. -,
presume? And l think we have also
the pleasure of meeting your wife, Mrs
-"
He-Yes, l am the man you sent fol
to come here.
The Spokesman-Well, Mr.. -, !
do not see why we should beat about
the bush. We have been buying land
here and there in the neighborhood OF
your little place and have taken a
fancy to your piece of ground. We
At this point the wife reaches over
and plucks at her husbands coat
sleeve. He has been about to reply
by asking the sum he and she had
agreed upon as their price. But she
pulls his sleeve so hard that he pauses
and leans toward her. She whispers
something in his ear.
He shakes his head as if her remark
was foolish interruption He pulls
away from her and clears his throat
to speak
Again she plucks at his sleeve Her
face is strained with excitement and
anxiety, her eyes shine with eager.
ness and earnestness He pulls himself
farther away and she says out loud:
She-Yes; yes; l tell you, yes.
He-Oh, you are crazy.
The Spokesman-May We hear from
you, sir, what price you set upon youI
little place?
She (whispering) do as l
say. l tell you l am right
He (disdaining even to look at herr
Well, gentlemen, the truth is | am not
particularly anxious to sell. We bought
that little place to end our days in.
OF course, if money were made an OBJ
ject to me, would part with it, but
| would not take less than"
She-Gentlemen, will you excuse us
minute? l want to take my husband
aside. l want to go into another room
and say something to him privately.
The Spokesman-Why, certainly,
madam; you can go into that room
points to door,. We are in no hur-
ry and if we buy we want all hands
to be satisfied.
He-I do not want to talk the thing
over any more than l have. Martha,
you are acting crazy. Gentlemen, if
we sell our little nest we shall want
fifty thou"
She (rising with great excitement
and speaking sharply and loudly)-We
want one million dollars. We will not
take a cent less. l will not sign that
deed for a cent under a million. We
know you want it and you have got
the money. A million is our first and
last figure.
He, about to disclaim any share in
this wild and senseless dream, is about
to speak, but is interrupted.
The Spokesman-Very well, madam,
we are prepared to give a million. If
that is satisfactory We will have the
deed drawn up and will ask you both
to call again this afternoon or tomor-
row and sign it.
Last curtain.)
What kind of figure does the
Woman Who Dared" lin flction) cut
beside this one-The Woman Who Did?
There are plenty of men who boast
that they never consult their wives
upon matters of business. Some say
they wish to spare their wives all un-
necessary care. Others say that their