News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1903-12-02
Abncr Daniel
WILL n. HARDEN
Author of "WeSterfeIt."
CHAPTER XVII.

EI the middle of January. They
S@NeS6S were killing hogs at the farm.
asSsNszat Seven or eight negroes men
and women, had gathered from all
about in the neighborhood to assist in
the work and get the parts of the meat
usually given away in payment for
such services.
Abner Daniel and old man Bishop
were experimenting these preparations
when Alan came from the house to say
that Rayburn Miller had just ridden
Sut to see them on business. 81 think
IT'S the railroad" Alan informed his
father, who always displayed signs of
almost childish excitement when the
subject came up. They found Miller in
the parlOr being entertained by Adele.
who Immediately left the room on their
arrival. They all sat down before the
cheerful fire. Miller showed certain
signs of embarrassment at first, but
gradually threw them Off and got down
70 the matter in hand quite with his
office manner
I've got Il proposition to make to
you, Mr.. Bishop" lie opened up, With
4 slight flush Oh his face. i've been
making some inquiries about Wilson,
and ! am more and more convinced
khat he intends to freeze us out-or
you. rathCr-by holding off till YOU are
sbliged to sell your property for much
lower figure than you now ask him for
It."
'You think so?" gruntcd Bishop. pull
ng long face.
Yes. But what | now want to do is
to show him indirectly that we are in
dependent Of him"
Hun" calculated Bishop, even more
2ejectedly. Huh. l say
Alan was looking at Miller eagerly,
as if trying to divine the point he was
Gbout to make. Il must confess" he
smiled, that l can't well see how we
,an show Independence right now"
"Wcll, think see q way" said Mil
Ter, the flush stealing over his face
again. You see, there is no doubt that
Wilson is Oh his high horse simply be-
cause he thinks he could call on you
for that $4,000 and put you to some
trouble raising it without-withOut, !
say, throwing your land on the market.
I can't blame him." Miller went on,
smiling, FOR it's only what any bust
ness man would DO who is out for
profit, but we must not knuckle to
Mu"
"Huh, huh" Bishop grunted in deep
* dependency.
no n pnt 0pnIln1
1he Knocking prOcess|' asked Alan.
who had caught the depression infu
sncng his parent.
I'D simply take up that note said
die lawyer. You know under the con
Tact we are privileged to pay it to-
morrow if we wish. 1t would simply
paralyza him. He's so confident that
you can't take it up that he has not
even written to ask if you want to re-
aew it or not. Yes, he's confident that
hell rake in that security-so confident
nlat he has been, as you know, secretly
Buying land near yours"
But" exclaimed Alan, Ray, you
know Weather has invested that
money. and the truth is that he and
mother have already had so much wor-
gy over the business that they would
rather let the land go at what was
raised on it than toto run any more
fisks"
Bishop groaned out his approval CT
Ghis elucidation of his condition and
sat silently nodding his head. The very
thought of further risks stunned and
chilled him.
Killers embarrassment now descend
ed on him in full force.
81 was not thinking of having your
father disturb his Investments" he
said. The truth is, have met with
little financial disappointment in GER
tain direction For the last three
months | have been ra.ing and scrap
ing among the dry bones Of my invest
metits to get up exactly $4,000 to Sc
cure a leading interest in Il cotton mill
at barley of which | was to be presi-
dent | managed to get the money to-
gether. and only yesterday | learned
that the northern capital that was to
guarantee the thing was only in the
corner of a fellows eye up in Boston
IT. man that had not dollar on earth
Well. there you are! I've $4,000 and
ND place to put it. | thought if you had
lust as soon owe me the money as VIII
son that you'd really be doing me
favor to let me take up the note. You
see, it would actually floor him. He
means business, and this would show
HEn that we are not asking any favors
az him. In fact, have an idea it would
scare him out of his skin. He'd think
we had another opportunity of selling.
, I'm dying to do this, and | hope you'll
let me work it. Really | think you
ought to consent. I'd never drive you
10 the wall well-he might"
AL eyes were on the speaker. Bishop
had the dazed expression of Devil
afered man trying to believe in sudden
srDod luck. Abner Daniel lowered his
head and shook with low, subdued
laughter.
"You are a Jim dandy, young man,"
lie said to Miller. That's all there Is
about it. You take the rag off the
Bush oh, my Lord! They say in
Alfs meeting house that it's sin to