Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-12-08

: DH>-k3
who Immediately left the room on their
arrival. They all sat down before the
cheerful fire. Miller showed certain
signs of embarrassment Mt first, but
gradually threw them of and got down
to the matter in hand quite with his
Office manner.
I've got proposition to make to
you, Mr.. Bishop" he opened up, with
q slight flush on his face. 1--WE been
making some inquiries about Wilson,
and am more and more convinced
that he intends to freeze us out-or
you, rather-by holding of till you are
obliged to sell your property for a much
lower figure than you now ask him for
it."
"You think so?" grunted Bishop, pull
ing long face.
Eyes. But what now want to do is
to show him indirectly that we are in
dependent of him."
"Huh!' CALCULATED Bishop, even more
dejectedly. Huh! sayy'
Alan was looking at Miller eagerly,
| as if trying to divine the point he was
about to make. II must confess" he
smiled, that can't well see how we
can show independence right now"
"Well, think see way" said Mil
Ter, the flush stealing over his face
again. you see, there is no doubt that
Wilson is on his high horse simply be-
cause he thinks he could call on you
for that $4,000 and put you to some
trouble raising 1t without-without, l
say, throwing your land on the market.
I can't blame him." Miller went on.
smiling, "for it's only what any bust
pess man would do who is out for
profit, but we must not knuckle to
him."
"Huh, huh" Bishop grunted in deep
er dependency.
GLOW do you propose to get around
the knuckling process?" asked Alan.
who had caught the depression influ-
eneing his parent.
I'D simply take up that note" said
the lawyer. "You know under the con-
tract we are privileged to pay it to-
morrow If we wish. 1t would simply
Caralyze him. He's SO confident that
you can't take 1t up that he has not
even written to ask If you want to re-
new it or not. Yes, he's confident that
he'll rake in that security-so confident
that he has been, as you know. secretly
buying land near yours"
But" exclaimed Alan, RAY, you
know Weather has invested that
money, and the truth is that he and
mother have already had SO much wor-
~ over the business that they would
rather let the land 60 at what was
raised on it than toto run any more
risks"
| Bishop groaned out his approval of
| this elucidation of his condition and
sat silently nodding his head. The very
thought of further risks stunned and
chilled him.
Miller's embarrassment now descend
ed on him in full force
II was not thinking of having your
father disturb his investments" lie
said. "The truth Is. have met with a
little financial disappointment in Ger.
tain direction. For the last three
months l have been raking and scrap.
ing among the dry bones of my invest.
ments to get up exactly $4,000 to Sc.
cure leading interest in cotton mill
at barley Of which was to be presi.
dent. l managed to get the money to.
gether, and only yesterday I learned
that the northern capital that was tc
guarantee the thing was only in the
corner of fellows eye up in Boston
Z man that had not dollar on earth
| Well, there you are! I've $4,000 Ind
no place to put It. thought if you had
just as soon owe me the money MS Will
son that you'd really be doing me a
favor to let me take up the note. You
see, 1t would actually floor him. He
means business, and this would show
him that we are not asking any favors
of him. In fact, have an idea it would
scare him out Of his skin. He'd think
we had another opportunity Of selling
I'm dying to do this, and hope you'll
let me work st. Really think you
ought to consent. I'd never drive you
, to the wall and-well--he might"
All eyes We're on the speaker. Bishop
had the dazed expression of Devil
dered man trying to believe in sudden
good luck. Amer Daniel lowered his
head and shook with low, subduet
laughter.
"You are Jim dandy, young man,
he said to Miller. That's all there /.
about it. You take the rag off til,
bush. Oh, my Lord! They say il
A4f's meeting house that it's n sin tt
play poker with no stakes, but Alf',
In a game with half the earth put VI
agin another feller's wad as big as
bale O. hay. Play down, ALI. Pla,
down. You've got a full hand an
plenty to draw FROM"
1--WE couldn't let you do this, Ray
expostulated Alan.
"But assure you 1t is merely mat
ter of business with me-" declared TIN
lawyer. You know I'm interestel
myself, and l believe we shall COM
out all right. I'm simply itching to d,
it."
Bishops face was ablaze. The as
surance that wise young bushes
man would consider a purchase of hi
Of sufficient value to put larg
! amount Of money on pleased him, ban
i16sa his tsArG thsQjed FIN.