Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-08-22

Il nj Alan was passing Pole Ba-
Y&df{8y ker's cabin on his way to
03flfAaD barley, Poles wife came out
to the fence and stopped him. She was
slender. i'll clad woman, who had
once been pretty. and her face still had
sort Of wistful attractiveness 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.
Eyes. Mrs. Baker," Alan answered.
us there anything can do for you?"
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 mought inquire about i'm an let
me know when you come back. That d
sorter free my mind little. didn't
close my eyes all last night
I'LL do all can, Mrs. Baker," Alan
promised. But you mustn't worry.
Pole can take care of himself, drunk or
sober. I'll be back tonight"
Alan rode on, leaving the pathetic
figure at the gate looking after him. 81
WONDER" he unused, what Uncle Alb
would say about love that has that sort
of reward. Poor woman! Pole was her
choice, and she has to make the best of
it. Perhaps she loves the good that's
in the rascal"
He found Rayburn Miller at his desk
making out some legal document.
'Take seat" said Miller. "I'n be
through in minute. What's the news
out your way?" he asked as he finished
his work and put down his pen.
Nothing new, I believe" said Alan.
"Ive been away for two days. Not
having anything else to do, l made t
my business to ride over every foot Of
my fathers big investment, and, to tell
you the truth, I've come to you with a
huge idea. Don't laugh. l can't help it.
1t popped into my head and sticks,
that's ALL
Good! Let me have it."
Before l tell you what it isl said
Alan. Il want you to promise not to
ridicule me. I'm as green as a gourd in
business matters. But the idea has
hold Of me, and don't know that even
your disapproval will make me let it
| loose"
That's 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 it 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 quicker of his lips, and then
his face dropped into seriousness. A
| look almost Of pity for his friends Gre
dulity and inexperience came into his
eyes.
Il must say you don't want little
thing, my boy" he said indulgently.
Remember you are talking to fell
low that has rubbed up against the
moneyed world considerably for a chap
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 your
belonging to 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 it a tenacious expression that won
Miller's admiration even while he de-
plored it. There was, too, a ring OF
confidence in the young farmers tone
when he replied:
that country, eighteen miles in length
cOst?'
Nothing but survey by an expert
could answer that even approximate
ly," said the lawyer, leaning back ir
his creaking chair. IF you had the
right of way, charter from the state
and no big tunnels to make nor Ions
bridges to build, you might, should
say, construct the road alone-withou1
locomotives and rolling stock generally
for little matter of one hundred anC
fifty thousand. don't know; I'm only
guessing; but it wouldn't fall under
that estimate"
II didn't think it would" replied
Alan, growing more enthusiastic. "Nov
then, if there was railroad to my ia
theirs property, how much would hi
10000 acres be WORTH"
Miller smiled again and began t.
figure on scrap of paper with a pen
Gil "Oh, as for that" he said, 81
would really be worth standingSuncut
unsawed, including world of tai
bark at least $25 an acre say clea
half million for it all. oh, know i
looks as plain as your nose on you
face; things always do on paper. I