Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-09-22
CHAPTER v.

went to barley, as he fire.
|MSziNI quently did, to spend Sunday.
tsGy On such visits he usually
stayed at the Johnston House, great,
old fashioned brick building that had
survived the civil war and remained
untouched by the shot and shell that
hurtled over it during that dismal Pc
Rod when most Of the population had
"refugeed farther SOUTH" 1t had four
stories and was too big for the town,
which could boast Of only 1000 inhab-
itants, one-third of whom were black.
However, the smallness of the town
was in the hotels favor, for in place
where no one would have patronized q
second class hotel opposition would
have died natural death. The genial
proprietor and his family were Of the
best blood, and the Johnston House
was a sort of social clubhouse where
the church people held their affairs
and the less serious element gave
dances. To be admitted to the hotel
without having to pay for ones dinner
was the hallmark of social approval.
1t was near the ancient looking brick
car shed. under which the trains Of
two main lines ran, and long freight
warehouse of the same date and archI.
lecture. Around the hotel We're clus-
tered the chief financial enterprises Of
the town-its stores, postoffice, banks
and hall for theatrical purposes. Oar.
ley was the seat of its county, and an
other relic Of the days before the war
was its courthouse. The principal side
walks We're paved with brick, which in
places were damp and green and some
times raised above their common level
by the undergrowing roots Of the syc-
amore trees that edged the streets.
In the office of the hotel, just after
registering his name, Alan met his
friend Rayburn Miller, for whose bust
ness ability, it may be remembered,
Abner Daniel had such high regard.
he was fine looking man of thirty
three, tall and Of athletic build. He
had dark eyes and hair and q rudy,
outdoor complexion.
"Hello" he said cordially. II thought
you might get in today, SO / came
round to see. Sorry you've taken q
room. wanted you to sleep with me
tonight. Sisters gone, and no one is
there but the cook. Hello. I must be
careful. Pm drumming for business
right under Sanfords nose"
"I'll make you stay with me to make
up for it," said Alan as the clerk be.
hind the counter laughed good natured.
~ over the allusion to himself.
BLAMED if don't think about IT,
said Miller. "Come round to the Of
fee. want to talk to you. 1 reckon
you've got every plow going such
weather as this"
"Took my horse out Of the field tc
drive over" said Alan as they went
out and turned down to a side street
where there was row of law offices
all two roomed buildings, single sto
ried, built Of brick and bearing bat.
tered tin signs. One of these buildings
was Miller's. which, like all its fellows
had its door wide open, thus inviting
all the lawyers in the ROW" and all
students of law to enter and borrow
books or use the ever open desk.
Rayburn Miller was man among
ten thousand in his class. Just after
being graduated at the state university
he was admitted to the bar and took
up the practice Of law. He could un
doubtedly have made his way at this
alone, had not other and more absorb
ing talents developed within him. Hav
ing had few thousand dollars left
him at his fathers death, he began tc
utilize this capital in mote shaving
and other methods Of turning owe,
money for handsome profit Furnished
by the unsettled conditions, the time
and locality. He soon became an adept
in many lines of speculation, and as he
was remarkably shrewd and cautious
it is not to be wondered at that he soor
accumulated quite fortune.
Take seat" he said to Alan as
they went into the Office. and he threw
himself into the revolving chair at his
Uttered desk. II want to talk to you
suppose you are in for some fun
The boys are getting up dance at the
hotel, and they want your dollar to
help pay the band. It's a good one
this time. They've ordered 1t from
Chattanooga. 1t will be down on the
1885. Got match?"
Alan had not, and Miller turned his
head to the open door. An old negro
happened to be passing. with an az on
his shoulder.
"Heigh. there, Uncle Ned" Mile,
called out. IS
The negro had passed, but he hear,t
his name called, and he came bacl
and looked in at the door.
want me. Marse Rayburn?'
Eyes, you old scamp. Get me {
match or I'll shoot the top of you
head off,"
"All right, sub; all right, AIarse Ray
burnw
"You ought to know him." said Mil
her, with q smile as the negro hurried
into the adjoining office. 'His wifi,
cooks for Colonel Barclay. He nigh
tell YOU If Miss Dolly's going tonight
but know she Is. Frank Hillhous,
checked her name off the list, and
heard him say she'd accepted. BY tn,
way, that fellow will do to watch.
think he and the colonel are prett.
thick"
"Will you never let up on that?'
Alan asked, with a flush.
II don't know that l SHALL" laughed
Rayburn. ut seems so funny to sc,
you in love, or, rather, to see you thinl
you are"
"I have never said I was" said Ala,