Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-08-08
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER X1.
~ NE morning early in June, as
tOI Alan was passing Pole Ba-
padN{00 ker's cabin on his way to
( Darley, Poles wife came out
to the fence and stopped him. She was
q slender, Ill clad woman, who had
once been pretty, and her face still had
a sort of wistful atractiveness that
was appealing to one who knew what
she had been through since her mar
riage.
"Are you goin' to town, MIR. Alan~
she asked nervously.
"Yes. Mrs. Baker," Alan answered.
lis there anything l can do for your"
She did not reply at once, but came
through the little gate, which swung
on wooden hinges, and stood looking up
at him, thin, hesitating hand on his
bride rein.
"I'm afeerd some'n's happened to
Pole" she faltered. "He hain't been
home fer two whole days an nights.
It's ABOUT time fer i'm to spree agin,
an I'm powerful afeerd he's in trouble.
lowed while you was in town that
you nought inquire about i'm an LET
me know when you come back. That &
sorter free my mind little. didn's
close my eyes all last night
'T'l do all can, Mrs. Baker," Alan
promised. But you mustn't worry.
Pole can take care of himself. drunk or
sober. Ill be back tonight"
Alan rode on. leaving the pathetic
figure at the gate looking after him. II
wonder" be mused, what Uncle Alb
would say about love that has that sort
Of reward. Poor woman! Pole was her
Aoice, and she has to make the best Of
Perhaps she loves the good that's
II the rascal"
F[e found Rayburn Miller at his desk
making out some legal document.
"Take seat" said Miller. "Tn be
through in a minute. What's the news
out your way?" he asked as he finished
his work and put down his pen.
Nothing new, believe" said Alan.
.T've been away for two days. Not
having anything else to do, made It
my business to ride over every foot OF
my fathers big investment, and, to tell
you the truth. I've come to you with
huge idea. Don't laugh. can't help It
It popped into my head and sticks,
that's all"
"Good! Let me have it."
Before I tell you what it is," said
Alan, Il want you to promise not to
ridicule me. I'm as green as gourd ID
business matters. But the idea has
hold Of me, and l don't know that eveE
your disapproval will make me let !:
loose"
"That's a good way to put it." laugh
ed Miller. "The idea has hold of you,
and you can't let it loose. 1t applies
more closely to investments than any
thing else. Once get into deal and
you are afraid to let 1t 60. like the chap
that held the calf and called for help
"Well, here it is" said Alan. 1--WE
made up my mind that railroad can
and shall be built from these two main
lines to my fathers lumber bonanza"
Miller whistled. A broad smile In
quilted the pucker Of his lips. and then
bis face dropped into seriousness. A
look almost of pity for his friends ere.
dulity and inexperience came into his
eyes.
81 must say you don't want little
thing. my boy" he said indulgently.
Remember you are talking to Eel
low that has rubbed up against the
moneyed world considerably for chap
raised in the country. The trouble
with you, Alan, is that you have got
heredity to contend with; you are a
chip of the old block in spite Of your
belonging to a later generation. You
have inherited your fathers big ideas.
You are sort of Colonel Sellers, who
sees millions in everything you look at"
Alans face fell, but there remained
In it a tenacious expression that won
Miller's admiration even while he de-
plored it. There was, too, ring OF
confidence in the young farmers tone
when he replied:
How much would q railroad through
that country, eighteen miles in length.
cost?'
Nothing but survey by an expert
could answer that even approximate
Iy," said the lawyer, leaning back ID
his creaking chair. IF you had the
right Of way, charter from the state
and no big tunnels to make nor long
bridges to build, you might, should
say, construct the road alone-without
locomotives and rolling stock generally
for a little matter of one hundred and
fifty thousand. don't know; I'm only
guessing; but it wouldn't fall under
that estimate"
~ didn't think 1t would" replied
Alan, growing more enthusiastic. "Now
then, If there was railroad to my ia
ther's property, how much would his
O,000 acres be worth"
Miller smiled again and began to
figure on a scrap of paper with pen
ell. "Oh, as for that" he said, ut
would really be Notwithstanding uncut,
unsawed, including q world Of tan
bark-at least $25 an acre-say clear
half million for it all. Oh. know it