Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-09-17


having anything else to do made 1,
my business to ride over every foot of
my fathers big investment. and tn fol,
you the truth I've come to you with a
huge idea. Don't laugh / can't helm II
1t popped into my head and stick
that's ALL"
Good. Let me have it."
Before ] tell you what 70 is" said
Alan. II want you to promise not to
ridicule me- I'm as green as gourd in
business matters. But the idea has
hold of me, and don't know that even
your disapproval will make me let il
loose"
That's good way to put it." laugh.
ef Miller The idea has hold of Won
and you can't let it loose. II annlies
more closely to investments than any.
thing else. once get into deal and
you are afraid to let it 60. like the chan
that held the calf and called for helm :"
well. here il is" said Alan. .J've
made up my mind that a railroad can
and shalFbe built from these two main
lines to my fathers lumber bonanza "
Miller whistled. A broad smile in.
quilted the quicker Of his lips. and tben
his face dropped into seriousness.
look almost Of pity for his friends ere.
dulity and inexprrience came into mia
eyes.
Il must say you don't want a little
thing. my boy" he said indulgentlv
Remember you are talking 10 fell
low that has rubbed up against the
moneyed world considerably for a chan
raised in the country. The trouble
with you. Alan. is that you have got
heredity to contend with; You are a
chip off the old block in spite Of vour
belonging TO a later generation. You
have inherited your fathers big ideas
You are a sort Of Colonel Sellers who
sees millions in everything you look at"
Alan's face fell but there remained
In il tenacious expression that won
Miller's admiration even while he de-
plored ii. There was, too ring Of
confidence in the young farmers tone
when he replied.
How much would a railroad through
that country, eighteen miles in length
COST"
Nothing but survey nv an expert
could answer that even Approximate
ly,' said the lawyer, leaning back in
his creaking chair. az you had the
right of way, charter from the state
and no big tunnels 10 make nor long
bridges TO build. YOU might. should
say construct the road alone without
locomotives and rolling stock generally
for little matter of one hundred and
fifty thousand. I don't know: I'm ONLY
guessing; but it wouldn't fall under
that estimate"
Il didn't think it would" rerlied
Alan, growing more enthusa.tic Now
then. II there was railroad tn nv ia
Tiers property. how much would his
10000 acres he WORTH"
Miller smiled again and began "a
ngure on scrap of paper with pen
ell. "Oh. as for that" he said. 1T
would really be worth standing uncut.
unsawed, including a world of tan
bark-at least SO an acre-say a clear
half million for it all. Oh. I know il
looks as plain as your nose on your
face; things always do on paper. II
looks big and il shines; so does n spi.
der web in the sunshine to fv: but
you don't vint to be a ny. my boy,
and you don't want any spider webs
on the brain anyway"
Alan stood up and walked TO the
door and back. Finally he shrugged
his broad shoulders. Il don't care
what you say" he declared, bringing
his hand down firmly Oh Millers desk.
1T Will pay. ms sure as I'm alive.
There's no getting around the facts. II
Will take quarter of a million invest
ment to market a half million dollar
bunch Of timber, with the land thrown
N and the traffic such a road would
secure to help pay expenses. There
ire men in the world looking for such
and I'm going to give
somebody a chance"
you have not looked deep enough
nto it, my boy" mildly protested Mil
err. You haven't figured on the enor.
nous expense of running such road
md the dead loss OF the Investment
lfter the lumber is moved out You'd
lave railroad property worth a quar-
er of a million on your hands. can't
make you see my position. simply
ay to you that l wouldn't touch a deal
Ike that with a ten foot pole"
Alan laughed good naturedly as he
MD his hand On his friends shoulder.
I reckon you think I'm off," he said.
but sooner or later I'm going to put
ais thug through. DO you hear mel
II put 1t through if it takes ten years
do 1t. | want to make the old man
eel that he has not made such a fool
himself. | want to get even with
lie Thomps crowd and Perkins and
verybody that is now poking fun at
helpless old man. | shall begin by
'ising money some way or other TO
ay taxes and hold on to every inch Of
lie ground"
Miller's glance fell before the fierce
re OF Alan's eyes, and for the first
me his tone wavered.
We'll" he said, you have the stun
you that big spectators are made
:, and | may simply be preiudiced
yainst the scheme on account of your
lther's blind plunging and what some
en- would call vercautiousness on
y part. l may be trying TO prevent
hat you really ought to do but | am
ivising you as friend. | only know
would he more cautious OF course
" may try. You'd not lose in doing
at. I'm fact you'd gain eynarience