Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-10-27

| AuMelS. MI. olSuop VIII De Interested
just as we are in getting a right Of
way through. In fact, it would insure
us of his help. We can't buy right
of way; we can't afford it. The citi-
zens through whose property the road
runs must be persuaded to contribute
the land for the purpose. and Mr.. Bish-
! op, of course, has influence up here
with his neighbors."
"Still he would be very imprudent,"
said Miller, ito option his property
without any limit. Now here's what
we are willing to do. AS long as you
hold Mr.. Bishops note for $4,000 I'M
paid you shall have the refusal of the
land at 100000. Now, take my adj
vice"-Miller was smiling broadly
''let it stand at that"
Wilson reflected for a moment, and
then he said: "All right. Let that go.
The other condition is this-and 1t
need be only verbal promise-that
nothing be said about my company's
making this loan nor our securing the
refusal of the property"
"That will suit u.s. said Miller. "Nfr.
ADASAOp NSSoa StiAC " AuNC lut
know his business. OF course the
mortgage will have to be recorded at
the courthouse, but that need not at
tract attention. don't blame Mr..
Bishop" went on Miller in half con-
fdential tone. "These people are the
worst gossips you ever saw. If you
meet any Of them, they will tell you
/ fhof Mr. pfchnr hoo 1,,,,e- kol III,
wide open by buying SO much timber
land, but this loan will make him as
solid as the Bank Of England. The
people don't understand his dealings,
and they are trying to take it out on
him by blasting his reputation for be-
ing one Of the solidest men in his coun-
ty."
well, that's all, I believe" said
Wilson, and Miller drew a blank sheet
Of legal cap paper to him and began to
write. Half an hour later the papers
were signed, and Miller carelessly
handed Wilson's crisp pink check on u
New York bank to Mr.. Bishop.
'Tbere you are, Mr.. Bishop" he said,
with smile. "You didn't want any
one else to have finger in that big
pie Of yours over there, but you needed
money, and I'll tell you as friend
that hundred thousand cash down
will be about as well as you can do
with that land. 1t takes money, and
lots Of it, to make money, and Mr.. Will
sons company can move the thing
faster than you can"
That's fact" said Wilson in a
tone that betrayed self qualification.
"Now we must all pull together for
the railroad" He rose and turned to
Miller. Twill you come with me to
record the paper?"
Certainly" said Miller, and they
both left together.
The Bishop family were left alone,
and, the strain being lifted, they found
themselves almost wholly exhausted.
"Is it all over?" gasped the old wo-
man, standing up and grasping her
sons arm.
"We've got his money" Alan told
her, with a glad smile, land fair
chance for more"
The pink check was futtering in old
Bishops hand. Already the old self
willed look that brooked no interfer-
ence with his personal affairs was re-
turning to his wrinkled face.
''I'll go over to Craig's bank an de-
post It," he said to Alan. at IL take
a day or two to collect it, but he'd let
me check on it right now fer any rea-
sonable amount"
/ y>o1;a,,0 III DeJ. 1,;,,, not 20 ,,,or,fior,
the deposit" suggested Alan.
"Huh! Ireckon I've got sense enough
to do that"
II thought you intended to pay of
the mortgage on our farm the fust
thing" ventured Mrs. Bishop
1--WE can't do it till the notes due
next January" said Bishop shortly.
II agreed to keep the money yeer,
an Martin Doe II make me hold to It.
But what do you reckon care as long
as I've got some'n' to meet it with?"
| Mrs. Bishops face fell. I'D feel bet
ter about it If it was cleer," she faltered.
"But the Lord knows we ort to feel
thankful to come out as we have. II
it hadn't been fer Alan = Mr.. Miller
said that Alan
''Ef you all hadn't made sech a eter-
nal row." broke in Bishop testify. "I'd
| "a had more timber land than this.
| Colonel Barclay has as fine strip as
any got, an he's bantered me for a
trade time an agin."
Abner Daniel seldom sneered at any
body, no matter what the provocation
was, but it seemed impossible for him
to refrain from it now.
you've been lookin' fer the last
three months like a man that needed
more land" he said. "Jest no furder
back IAN last night you lowed eff you
could git enough fer yore folly to raise
the debt off'n yore farm you'd die hap
py, an now yo're a-frettin' beca'se you
didn't buy up the sides O. the earth an
give nobody else a foothold. Lee me
tell you the truth. even eff it does hurt
q little. Eff Alan hadn't thought O.
this beer railroad idea, you'd "a been
the biggest human pancake that ever
lay fiat in Its own grease"
II hain't said nothin' to the contra.
ry," admitted Bishop. who really took
the reproof well. "Alan knows what
I think about It."
Then Bishop and his wife went to
Craig's bank, and moment later Mil
Ter returned. rubbing his hands with
satisfaction.
1--WE got through. and he's gone to
catch his train," he said.
SIT worked as smooth as goose grease