News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1903-12-09
AbnCrDanicl
by :.
WILL N. HARDEN
Author OF " WesterfeIt."
BY

$50 you think the thing is OFF," he
Eaid desperately, probably recalling
several purchases of land he had made
IN the section he had expected to de-
Velop. You think it's off,
Il hardly know what to say" said
Miller. The old gentleman. Mr. Bish-
ep, is slow going old timer, but his
son is rather up to date. full of energy
and ambition. | think he's made up
his mind to sell that property"
Wilson went to his desk, lowered
over it like a dark human cloud and
then reluctantly turned to the big iron
safe against the wall, obviously to get
the note. His disappointment was too
great for concealment. With his fat
pink hand on the silver plated combina-
ton bolt he turned to Miller again.
would you mind sitting down till 1
telephone one or two of the directors?"
Not at ALL said Miller, "if you'll get
me a cigar and the Constitution. The
Atlanta baseball team played Mobile
yesterday, and l was wondering
Il don't keep track Of such things"
said Wilson, coming back to his desk
with an impatient frown to ring his
call bell for the office boy.
"Oh, yes, l believe football is your
national sport" said Miller. with a dry
smile. "Well, it's only difference be-
tween arms and legs-whole bones and
casualties"
Wilson ordered the cigar and paper
when the boy appeared, and. leaving
the lawyer suddenly, he went into the
room containing the telephone. closing
the door after him.
In a few minutes he reappeared. !
standing before Miller, who was chew |
ing a cold cigar and attentively read |
ing. He looked up at Wilson abstract |
edly.
Bully for Atlantaw he said. "The |
boys made ten runs before the Mobiles |
had scored"-
"Oh, come down to business" said |
the New Highlander, with a ready made
smile. Honestly, I don't believe you
drowsy southerners ever will get over
your habit of sleeping during business
hours. 1t seems to be bred in the
bone"
Miller laughed m:sleadingly. "Try
to down US at horse race and we'll
beat you in the middle of the night
Hang it all, man, you don't know hui
man nature, that's all! How can you
expect me on my measly fees to dance
q breakdown over business l am trans
acting for other people"
"Well that may account for it," ad-
mitted Wilson, who seemed bent on
boi2g more agreeable in the light of
Fon-e fresh hopes he had absorbed
from the telephone wires. See here.
I've got rock bottom proposal to
make to your people. Now listen and
drop that paper for a minute BY
JONe. If l had to send a man from
yoCr state to attend to legal business,
Ia lick one not full of mental NOR
phine."
"Oh, you wouldnt?" Miller laid
down the paper and assumed a posture
indicative of attention reused from
deep sleep. Fire away. I'm listening"
81 already had authority to act for
the company but L thought it best to
telephone some of the directors" Will
son sat down in his chair and leaned |
toward the lawyer. Here's what we
will do The whole truth is we are will
ing to plank down the required one
hundred thousand for that property,
provided we can lay our road there
without mourning the expense of pur-
chasing the right of way. Now if the
citizens along the proposed line want
their country developed bad enough
to donate the right CT way through
their lands. we can trade"
There was a pause. Then Miller
broke it by striking a match on the
sole of his boot. He looked cross eyed
at the fame as he apple it to his