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

an your sister up for life. Folks tell
me he owns mighty near every stick
of timber land in the Cohutta valley,
an what he has he got at the bottom
figure"
IF it ever turns his way" said
Alan. "But do YOU see any prospect
of its ever doing so, Mr.. Trabue?'
The lawyer shrugged his shoulders.
81 never bet on another mans trick,
my boy, and | never throw cold water
on the plans Of Il Spectator. l used
TO when | was about YOUR age, but I
saw SO many of 'em get rich by paying
no attention to me that | quit right
off. \ man ought to be allowed to use
his own Judgment"
Old Bishop was evidently not hear
ing a word of this conversation, being
wholly absorbed in studying the de-
tails of the deed before him. 81 reckon
it's all right he finally said. you
say the Tompkins children are all Of
ageE'
"Ycs, Ellie was the Youngest" an
swered Trahuc, land she stepped over
the line last Tuesday. There's her
signature in black and white. The
deeds all right. l don't draw up any
other sort"
Alan went to his father and leaned
over him. Father" he said softly
and yet with irmncss. II wish you'd
not act hastily in this deal. You ought
to consider mothers wishes, and she is
nearly distracted over it,"
Bishop was angry. His massive,
clean shaver face was red. I'D like
to know what I'd consult her fer" he
said. ain a matter o this kind n wom-
ans about as responsible as a suckin'
baby"
Trabue laughed heartily. "Well. I
reckon its n good thing your wife
didn't heal that or she'd show you
whether She was responsible or not. !
couldn't have got the first word Of
that off my toneue before my wife
would a Knocked me clean through
that wall
Alfred Bishop seemed not to care for
, levity during business hours, for he
greeted this remark only with n frown.
He scanned the paper again and said,
"Well, ef thar's any Jaw in this I
reckon you'll make it right"
'Oh, yes, I'll make any mistake of
mine good" returned Trabue. 1.-THE
papers all right"
You sec" said Alan to the lawyer,
'mothcr and | think father has al
ready more of this sort of property
than he can carry, and
Il wish YOU and yore mother ID let
my business alone" broke in Bishop,
firing up again. "Irabue heer knows
I've been Worryin' i'm fer the last two
months to get tho property in salable
shape. Do You reckon after he gets it
that away | want TO listen to yore two
tongues a-waggin' in open opposition
to it:'
Trabue Rubbed his hands together.
at really don't make a bit of differ
ence to me. Alan, one way or the
other" he said racifically. I'm only
acting as attorney for the Tompkins
estate and get my fee whether there's
a transfer or not. That's where | stand
in the matter"
Put it's not whar | stand in it. Mr..
Trabuc." said a firm voice in the door
way. 1t was Mrs, Bishop, her blue
eyes flashing, her face pale and rigid.
Il think I've got a right-apd a big
one-to have a say so in this kind of a
trade. A ats stayed by a
mans side fer thirty odd yecr an
raked an scrapcd to hep save a little
handful O property fer her two chill
dren has got n right to raise a rumpus
when her husband goes crooked like
Alfred has an starts in to bankrupt
'em all jest for n blind notion o his'n.'
"Oh. thar YOU are,' said Bishop, lift
ing his eyes from the paper and glar-
Ing at her over his glasses. Il knowed
I'd have TO have a Touchdown an
drag oUt tight with you fore | signed
my name. so sail in an g.t it over.
Trabuc's got to ride back To town"
But whav in the name o common
sense is the money to come FROM" the
woman hurled at her husband as she
rested one of her hony hands on the
edge of the table and glared at him.
"As | understand it, thar's about 1900
acres in tNis piece alone, an yo're
a-payin' a dollar a acre, Whar'a il
a-comin' from, I'd like to know! Whar's
it TO come fromE'
Bishop shifted and ran a steady hand
over his short. gray hair. You spl
how little she knows O my business
lie said to the lawyer, "Heer she
raisin' the devil an Tom Walker about
the trade, an she don't so much
know whar the moneys to come from
Glow wa ! to knowT' retorted IL
woman, "w en- you've been tellin' II
fer the last six months that thai
wasn't enough in the bank to give the
house a coat O. fresh paint an patch
the barn roof"
You knowed l had $1,000 wuth o
stock in the Shoal River cotton mills
didn't you?' asked Bishop defantly
and yet with the manner of a mar
throwing n missile which he hopeC
would fall lightly.
YES, / knowed that, but The
woman's eyes were two small fires
burning ~hungrily for information be
yond their reach.
well, it happens that Shoal stock is
jest the same on the market as ready
money, up a little today an down to
morrow, but never varyin' more'n {
fraction Of a cent on the dollar, an So
the |Tomp.lns heirs say they'd jest as
licve have it, an as I'm itchin' TO re
liam tI,,N - ,loS. l.,I a. Itl,'t tnI.