Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-10-15
long time since he had found himself

~ NhiiN ilit llllnE Is OH he
said desperately, probably recalling
several purchases of land he had made
III the section he had expected to de-
Velop. You think it's OFF,"
Il hardly know what to saw" said
Miller. The old gentleman. Mr. Dish
op' IS slow going old timer but his
son Is rather dp to date, full of energy
ana ambition. l think he's made up
his mind to sell that property"
Wilson, went to his desk. lowered
over 1t like 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.
uon bolt he turned to Miller again.
Would you mind sitting down till l
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, ana 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, | 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 few minutes he reappeared
standing before Miller who was chew
Ing cold cigar and attentively read
ing He looked up at Wilson abstract
eddy
"Rully for Atlanta" he said The
boys made ten runs before the Mobiles
had scored
oh, come down to business said
the New Highlander, with ready made
smile. Honestly, daat ualcvc you
drOway southcrnors over viii get over
your habit of sleeping during business
hours. 1t seems to hc lrcd in the
bone"
Miller laughed mislcadiugly. Try
to down US ut Il horse race. and Wen
heat YOU in the middle OF tho night.
Hang it all, man. Won DON'T know hui
man nature. that's all. How olu you
expect me Oh my measly fees CD dance
d breakdown over business I am trans
acting for other people
well that may account fo, it," adj
mitted Wilson, who seemed Bent on
being more agreeable in tie iah. Of
some fresh hopes he haI absorbed
from the telephone wires Sec here.
I've got a rock bottom proposal to
make to your people Now listen and
drop that paper for minute. by
Joye! II ! had 10 send man from
youl state to attend to legal business.
I'd pick one not full Of mental NOR
phine'
"Oh, ven wouldnt?" Miller laid
down the paper and assumed posture
indicative OF attention reused from
deep sleep Fire away I'm lieteuipg"
Il already had authority TO act for
the company, but | thought il best to
telephone some CT the directors VIII
son sat down in his chair ana lcaucd
toward the lawyer. "HDre'- what we
viii DE-. The whole truth Is We are will
ms 10 plank down the required one
hun lred thousand for tlt property.
provided we can lay our road there
Wahout incurriug the expense Of pur-
chasing the ri"ht of way. Now .f The
citizens along the proposed liu" want
their country developed laU Duou.h
TO donate the right OF way through
their lands, we can trade"
There was q pause. Thn Miller
broke it by striking matoh Ca the
sole Of his boot. He looked -.u eyed
at the fame as he applied it 20 his
cigar. Don't YOU think your people
could stand whatever value is APP
praised 10y law in case OF rerusus
along the lneE'
No" said Wilson. "lAo rricp for
the land is too steep for tl1t Your
clients have our ultima nm. What do
You say? We can advertise a meeting
OF citizens at Sprnglown. which Is
about the center of The territory in.
volyed, and if all agree TO give the
right of way it viii be a trade We
can have the meeting set for today two
woeko How does that strike you."
"Id have to wire my clients"
when can you get an answeri'
Miller looked at his watch. BY :
o'clock this afternoon. The message
would have to go into the country"
"rhou send it off at once
A few minutes after 5 o'clock Miller
sauntercd into the office. Wilson sat at
his desk and looked up eagerly.
"WellT" he asked, almost under his
breath.
The lawyer leaned on the top Of the
desk. They are willing to grant you
the two weeks time provided you sign
an agreement for your firm that you
will purchase their property at the
price named at the expiration of that
time"
with the provision" interpolated
Wilson, that right of way is do
mated"
Eyes, with that provision Miller
nodded.
Then sit down here and write out
your paper"
Miller complied as nonchalantly as il
be were drawing up a bill of sale for
n wOrnOut horse.
There you are" he said pushing the
I, h...l ti,,fa Il