Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-10-23

+! DO you live near EcreW asked Will
son, with a smile half of apology al
addressing stranger, even of Poles
! humble stamp.
; No" Pole laughed and waved his
hand toward the mountains in the
west, which We're plainly discernible
IN the clear morning light. "No, I'm a
mountain shanghai. I reckon it's fit
teen mile on bee line to my shack"
Did you say you lived near old Mr.
Bishops placer" asked Wilson, moving
toward the open door which led to the
veranda.
II don't know which place O. his'u
you mean," said Pole when they were
/ alone outside and Wilson had lighted
his cigar. THAT old scamp owns the
whole o. creation out our way. Well
III take that back, fer he don't OWL
any land that hain't loaded down with
trees, but he's got territory enough
Some thinks he's goin' to seceed from
the United States an elect himself
, president of his own country"
Wilson laughed, and then he said
Have you got few minutes to
spare?"
II reckon have" said Pole, "ef
you've got the mate to that cigar"
Wilson laughed again as he fished
the desired article from his pocket and
gave 1t and match to Pole. Then he
leaned against the heavy railing of the
banisters. II may as well tell Won y
he said. "I'm dealer in lumber nv
self, and I'd like to know what kind of
timber you have out there"
Pole pulled at the cigar, thrust it
well into the corner of his mouth. with
the fire end smoking very near his left
eye, and looked thoughtful. ITO tell
you the truth, my friend" he said. 81
rally believe you'd be wastin' time to
go over thar"
"oh, you think SOP 1t was a vocal
start on the part of Wilson.
Yes, sir; the truth is old man Bishop
has simply raked into his dern clutch
ever acre o. fine timber out that away.
Now, eff you went east, over t'other
side o the mountains, you mought pick
out some good timber; but, as said,
out our way. Sawmill?"
NO, l don't run a sawmill," said
Wilson, with an avaricious sparkle in
his eye. II sometimes buy timbered
lands for q speculation; that's ALL"
Pole laughed. 81 didn't see how YOU
could be sawmill man an smoke ci-
CARS like this an wear them clothes.
I never knowed sawmill man to make
any money"
Il suppose this Mr.. Bishop is buying
to sell again." said Wilson tentatively.
People generally have some such idea
when they put money into such prop
erty."
Pole looked wise and thoughtful. 81
don't know whether he is or not" he
said, 'but my opinion is that he'll hold
on to it till he's in the ground. He evil
IDENTIFY thinks a good times a-comin'!
Thar was Teller out thar t'other day
with money to throw at cats. He's
been tryin' to honeyfuggle the old man
into trade. but don't think he made
a deal with 'im."
Where was the man from?" Wilson
opoAe uueuSlly.
Il don't rally know, but he amt
a-goin' to give up. He told Neil Fill
more at his store that he was goin
home to see his company an write the
old man proposition that I'd fetch i'm
eft thar was any trade in i'm"
Wilson pulled out his watch.
do you happen to know where Mr..
Rayburn Miller's law Office ISL" he
asked.
eyes; it's right round the corner. 1
know whar all the white men in this
town do business, an he's as white as
they make 'em an as straight as q
Single"
Hes an acquaintance of mine," said
Wilson. 81 thought I'd run in and see
him before l leave"
ITS right round the corner an down
the fust side street toward the court
house. 'ain't got nothin' to do; I'll
pint it out"
'Thank you," said Wilson, and they
went out of the house and down the
street together, Pole putting vigorously
at his cigar in the brisk breeze.
"Thar you are" said Pole, pointing
to Miller's sign. "Good day, sir; much
obleeged fer this smoke" and with his
head in the air Pole walked past the
office without looking in.
ITO be continued