Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-10-01
CHAPTER XVI.

DiSuup SeHt over LOT fOle BAKER 10
drive the spring wagon. Alan sat be-
side Pole. and Abner and Bishop and
Mrs. Bishop occupied the rear seats.
Alan knew he could trust Pole drunk
or sober. and he confided his plans to
the battered fellows ears Pole SEEM
ed to weigh all the chances for and
against success in his mind as he sat
listening, a most grave and portentous
expression on his massive face.
My opinion is the Teller II be thar az
shore as preachn'," he said. But
whether you git his wad or not-that's
another question. Miler's as sharp as
a brier. an. as he says. if Wilson gifts
to talkin' about that land to any o
these hill Rillics they'll burst the trade
or die tryin'. Jest let 'em hcer moneys
about to change hands, an it IL make
Fem so durn jealous they'll swear lie
TO keep it away from anybody they
know. Thnt's human natur'."
II believe you are right" said Alan.
pulling a long face. land I'm afraid
Wilson will want to make some in
quiries before he closes"
Like as not" opined the driver.
Dul WuHl no eI L WIS NTunnln'
it would be to git some Teller to strike
up with i'm accidentallike an Utterly
fill i'm to the neck with good things
about the property without him ever
dreamin he was bein' worked"
The two exchanged gances. Alan
had never looked at a man so admir-
inGly. At that moment he seemed a
giant of ShreWdncsS as we'll as that OF
physical strength.
81 believe you are right, Pole" he
said thouGhtfully.
That's what | am. an. what's more,
I'm the one that could do the film
without him ever KNOWN had fun
mel in his mouth. If can't do it. I'll
fill my hat with saft mud an put it
on"
Alan smiled warmly. "I'll mention
It to Miller" he said Yes. you could
do it, Pole, if any man on earth could"
Driving up to Afiller's office, they
found the door open, and the owner
came out with a warm smile of greet
ing and aided Mrs. Bishop to alight.
"Well," he smiled when they had
taken seats in the Office. I'VE have
gained the first step toward victory.
Wilson is at the hotel. I saw his name
on the register this morning"
The elder Bishops drew a breath Of
relief. The old man grounded his
heavy walking stick suddenly, as If it
had slipped through his inert fingers.
I'm trustin you boys to pull me
through" he said. with a shaky laugh.
Il hain't never treated Alan right, an
I'm heer to confess it. ! lowed | was
the only one in our layout with any
business sense"
so You are willing to accept the
loan?" said Miller.
"Willin'? | reckon ! am. I never
slept one wink last night fer feer
somen' II interfere with it,"
Miller reflected moment and then
snid: Il am afraid OF only one thing and
that is this: Not one man In million
will make trade of this size without
corroborating the statements made by
the people he is dealing with. Wilson
is at breakfast by this time, and after
he is through he may decide to nose
around little before coming to me-
I'm afraid to go after him; he would
think | was overanXiOus. The trouble
is that he may run upon somebody
from out in the mountains-th are
a lot in town already-and get to talk
ing Just one word about your biting
off more than you can chaw, Mr..
Bishop would make him balk like a
mean mule He thinks I'm favoring
him now. but let him get the notion
that you haven't been holding that
land for at least a hundred thousand
and the thing would bu st like a bub-
BILE"
Alan mentioned Pole Bakers propo-
sition. Miller thought it over for a
moment, his brow wrinkled. and then
he said: "Good--a good idea, but you
must call Pole in and let me give him
few pointers BY George. he could
Keep Wilson away from dangerous
people anyway"
Alan went after Pole, and Miller
took him into his consultation room in
the rear. where they remained for
about fifteen minutes. When they came
out, Poles face was very grave. II
won't forget a thing" he said to Miller
81 understand exactly what you want
When | git through with i'm he'll
want that land bad enough to pay any
thing fer it, an he won't dream I'm in
cahoot with you nuther | can man,
age that. l amt no fool ef | do have
fits"
do you remember my description Of
him? 2" asked Miller.
You bet / do-thck set. about 6fty.
bald, red faced, sharp black eyes iron
gray hair, an mighty nigh always with
u cigar in his mouth
That's right" laughed Miller. Now
do your work, and we won't forget
you. BY all means keep him away
from meddlesome people,
When Pole had left the Office and
Miller had resumed his revolving chair,
Mrs. Bishop addressed him, looking
straight into his eyes,
81 don't see" she said in n timid,
hesitating way and yet with note of
frmness dominating her tone-"I don't
See why we have to 20 through all this
trickery to make the trade. EFF the
land is good security Ter the money,
we needn't be aieerd Of what the man
VIII find out IF it amt good secur-
lily, don't want his money, as fer as
I'm concerned
81 was lest thinkin, that ton - ohm ad