Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-05-02

them, ten you.
Howe"
The Colonel tapped his brow sig
nifcantly.
at requires a two-thirds vote 10
capture the county seat away from
us" he replied. 81 have arranged
matters so that Harmony will never
be able 10 roll up sufficient major
ity." The Colonel arose and walked
10 the window. Come here, Mr.. Her
bert" Guy passed over and stood
beside him. Behold my confidence
in the outcome" added the Colonel,
with a sweep Of his arm.
What Guy saw was ten-by-tifteen
building in process OF construction.
At least dozen men were working
upon il and even novice like Guy
could see that they were very much
in each others way.
"a lot Of carpenters for a small
house like that" commented the
young man.
II should say So" chuckled the
Colonel. Those men were brought
in from Jimtown and they're voters,
every mothers son Of them. I've got
others building roads and repairing
bridges" lie closed one Of his murky
little eyes. slowly and slyly. They'll
vote as / tell them TO, Mr.. Herbert,
and there1l be enough Of them 10
Kill Harmony too dead to skin He
threw up the window. Hello, there,
Jordan" he called 10 a man who was
working languidly with saw. you
fellows are getting along altogether
too fast Take "A lay-oh this after
noon" Instantly all work ceased.
tools were left whore last used and
the IL workmcn hurried away in a
body. The Colonel closed the win
dow and bcamed upon Guy compla-
Gently. That's the courthouse
they're building" he added
Rather small courthouse, isn't
it,"
ooh, it viii grow, it will grow"
"Wherc does the money come
FROM" inquired Guy. anNiou~ly.
Don't worry about the money, my
boy. ! sold a batch of lots 10 a ten
derfoot few weeks ago. and its
his money that's doing all this
1T doesn't seem Just right 10 rush
voters in in that way, Col. keever."
"Anythings right that's successful
MP in this territory This is my lit
tie plan and OF course Harmony isn't
LAYING back on its oars and waiting
for me TO grab the persimmons.
LII 1iartnnarfe
Dingle, Harp, Blue and Boomer. are
going 10 do something. but just what
remains 10 be seen. They have
town meeting over at Harmony to-
night 10 discuss ways and means for
getting ahead Of me-" The ColoneHs
smile faded into look OF trouble.
I'D give a hundred dollars" said he,
20 know what kind Of scheme they
hatch up at that meeting. They II
have lynx-eyed men on watch. how
ever. 20 make sure that no Concord
fellows get in"
The Colonel turned and wandered
reflectively about the Office. Guy sat
down again and watched him
thoughtfullv. Finally the Colonel
halted, thrust his thumbs into the
arm holes Of his vest and declared:
Herbert, you're the man"
THE man for what?"
ITO run over 20 Harmony and take
in that meeting. You're stranger in
this section, and they won't know you
from Adam. BE careful, though, and
don't give yourself away. Feeling is
running high and both sides are e1-
ceedingly bitter. If you were 20 be
found out you'd have a rough expert
ence Ever carry revolver|'
NO"
Then get one. ! haven't anything
but the Office gun and can't spare that"
"Col. Keeyer," said Guy. reddening,
"1'm not going 20 make a spy out %
myself"
"Tush, tush You're not doing any
thing dishonorable. I'd cut my tongue
out before I'd counsel anything Of hat
kind. You're high minded young
mani can see that at a glance and
admire YOU for il. But those fellows
on the other side OF the county are
blackguards, every one Of them. They
are laying their plans to steal the coun-
" seat away from YOU and all you are
20 do is 20 discover what their plans
are. IL possible, so We may balk them
in their nefarious attempt. Ny boy,
YOU have something like 200 lots in
this town. That means a fortune for
YOU if We can keep the county seat.
If we lose the county seat your lots will
be worth just what they'll bring for
farming purposes, and no more. Nor
is that the worst Of II. Let Harmony
win in this election and every man.
woman and child now living in Concord
viii pull up takes and move over 10 the
other town"
They wouldn't leave their homes
and heir places Of business, would
they?" queried Guy, aghast.
Not much they wouldn't leave EN-
they'd take 'em along You could
put wheels under the national capitol
and move 1t along hundred miles over
these prairies without Earring out
brick or a chunk Of mortar My word