Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-09-03

wei let up. L TeCkOH YOU All hHOW
that Ell say ef-my land was nigh a
railroad it I'D be low at five times
what | paid fer it, don't you? We'll.
then, the long an short of it is that
| happen 20 be on the inside an know
that a railroad is goin' to be run from
Blue Lick junction to barley. It'll
be started inside of the next yeer an
II run smack dab through my proper
ty. Thar now! You know more'n you
thought you did, don't you!'
The little group stared into his glow
ing face incrcdulously.
"a railroad Is to be built, father?"
exclaimed Alan.
THAT'S what / said"
Mrs. Bishops Eyes flashed with sud
den hope, and then, as If remembering
her husbands limitations, her face fell.
"Alfred," she asked skeptically,
chow does it happen that you know
about the railroad before other folks
docSf'
How do I? That's it now-how do
II" and the old man laughed freely.
1--WE had my fun out o this thing,
l%istenin' to what every crank said
about me bciu' cracked an so on, but |
was jest a-lyin' low waitin' fer my
time"
well, I'll be switched.' calculated
Abncr Daniel, half seriously, half sar-
castically. "Gcewhilikins. A railroad!
I've always said one would pay like
rips an open up a dern good, God
fcrsakcn country. I'm glad you are
a-goin' to start ono, Alfrcd.'
Alan's face was filled with an OK
preston Of blended doubt and pity for
his fathers crcdulity. "Father," he
said gently, are YOU sure you got your
information straightf'
Il got it from headquarters" The
old man raised himself on his toes and
knocked his heels together, n habit he
had not INDUCED in for many Il year.
1T was told to me confidentially by a
man who knows all about the whole
thing. a man who is in the employ o
the company that's goin' to build it,"
Huh" The exclamation was Abb
ner Daniels. do you mean that At
lanta lawyer, Pcrkins:'
Bishop stared, his mouth lost some
of its pleased tirmnpSs, and lie ceased
the motion of his feet.
what made you mention his name?"
he asked curiouSly.
"Oh, | dunno. Somehow l jest
thought O. him. He looks to me like
he mought be buildin' Il railroad ur
two
"NVoll, that's the man I mean" said
Bishop, more uneasily.
Somehow the others We're all looking
at Abncr Daniel, who grunted sudden
ly and almost angrily.
Il wouldn't trust that skunk no fur
der n could fling n bull by the tail"
you say you wouldn't:" Bishop
tried to smile, but the effort was a IA
cial failure.
Il wouldn't trust i'm nuther, Brother
Alb" chilned in Mrs. Bishop. "As soon
as | laid eyes on i'm | knowcd he
wouldn't do. He's too mealy mouthed
an fawnin'. Butter wouldn't melt in
his mouth. He Dragged on everything
we had while he was hecr. Now, AL
fred, what we must git at is, what was
ais object in teilin' you that tale"
"Obicct,' Numbered her husband,
losing his temper in the face of the aw-
full possibility that her words limited
at. Are you all a pack an passle o
fools? If You must dive an probe,
then I'll tell you he owns a slice o
climber land above IIolley creek, j'inin'
| CANA ~ MINI. ~ = n ha LOT r1a lntn fhn
secret out o puore good will. Oh. you
i'll cayn't SIX 'cr me. i amt one O. the
skeerln kind"
Put, Notwithstanding this outhurst
it was plain shat doubt had actually
taken root in the ordinarily cautious
mind of the crude Spectator.
Abncr Daniel laughed out harshly al,
Mt once and then was silent. Whats
the natter" asked his sister in de
spair.
Il was jest a-wonderin'," replied hel
brother.
You areT' said Bishop anGrily. "It
seems to me you don't do much else"
Folks at wonders a lot amt sc apr
to believe everything they hecr." re
tortcd Abner. Il was Just a-wonderin
why that little. spindle shanked Pete
MOsely has been holdin' his head 81
high the last week or so. III bet
could make n durn good guess now"
What under the suns Peter Mosell
got to do with my buSineSs!'' burs
from Bishops impatient lips.
"Hp'S got n sOrter rOunla bout con
nection with it, | reckon" smiled Alb
ner grimly. Il happen to know that ABB
Tompkins sold i'm 1000 acres o timbe'
land on Huckleberry ridge jest stteI
yoro Atlanta man spent the day lookin
round in these parts"
Bishop was no fool. arc re Eraspec
Abncr's meaning even before it wal
quite clear to the others.
"Looky hecr," he said sharply, "wha
do you take me fer!'
Il amt tuck you fer nothin'," SAFE
Ahner, with a grin. "Lcastwise,
amt tuck you fer $4,000 with o cot
~.s
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