The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-07-23

"Yoat are a scoalndrcl, Pcrkins,' he said.
His trade is stretching out in all direc-
tons; funny how different you two
arev'
II lowed I'd see William fore l
went back said Bishop rather irrele-
vanity. Then, seeing that Perkins was
staring at him rather fxedly, he said
it was verbal plunge:
Il bought some more timber land
yesterday!'
"Oh, you did? That's good" Per-
kins' eyes futtered once or twice be-
fore his gaze steadied itself on the face
of the man before him. "Well, as l
told you, Mr.. Bishop, that sort of a
thing is good investment. I reckon
it's already climbing up little, amt
it?"
"Not much yet" It struck Bishop
that he had given the lawyer a splen-
did opportunity to speak of the chief
cause for an advance in value, and his
heart felt heavier as he finished But
I took quite a slice the last time
5000 acres at the old figure, you know
"a dollar a acre."
"You don't say! That was a Slice"
Bishop drew himself up in his chair
and inhaled deep breath. It was as
if he took into himself in that way the
courage to make his next remark.
Il got it from the Tompkins estate"
"You don't say! I didn't know they
had that much on hand"
"Sence I bought the land I've acct
dentally heerd that you are some kin
O that family
Perkins started slightly and raised
his brows.
"Oh, yes! On my wife's side, away
of, some way or other. l believe the
original Tompkins that settled there
from Virginia was my wife's grand
father. I never was much of a hand
to go into such matters''
when 7 heerd that, Perkins, it was
natural fer me to wonder why you
you see-why you didn't tell them
about the rairoad'
The sallow features of the lawyer
seemed to stiffen. He drew himself
up coldly and a wicked expression
flashed in his eyes.
'Take my advice, old man, he
snarled as he threw down his pen and
stared doggedly into Bishops face
''Stick to your farming and don't waste
your time asking a professional lawyer
questions which have no bearing on
your business whatever. Now. really,
do l have to explain to you my per
sonal reasons for not favoring the
Tompkins people with al may say
any piece of information?'
Bishop was now as white as death.
His worst suspicious were confirmed
he was ruined man; there was no
further doubt about that. Suddenly he
felt unable to bride the contemptuous
fury that ragged within him.
II think know why you didn't tell
EN-" was what he hurled at the law
yer.
"You think you do?'
eyes; it was beca'se you knowed no
road was goin' to be built. You told
Pete Mosely the same tale you did me,
an Abe Tompkins unloaded on i'm.
That's way you have O. doin' bust
ness.''
Perkins stood up. He took his silk
hat from the top Of his desk and put
it on. "Oh, yes, old man." he sneered;
I'm a terribly dishonest fellow, but
I've got company in this world Now,
really, the only thing that has wor-
ried me has been your un-Christian act
In buying all that land from the Temp
kins heirs at such low figure when
the railroad will advance its value so
greatly. Mr.. Bishop, I thought you
were good Methodist"
"Oh, you kin laugh an jeer all you
like" cried Bishop, "but can handle
you fer this
"You are not as we'll versed in the
law as you are in fertilizers, Mr.. Bish.
op," sneered the lawyer. I'm order to
make case against me you'd have to
! publicly betray matter I told to you