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

for the property as we can, considering
the railroad we have to move some
where and our gigantic facilities for
handling lumber in America and
abroad. Still think. and our directors
think, hundred thousand is big
price"
Miller laughed as II amused. That's
Ave dollars an acre, you know, but
I'm not here to boom Mr.. Bishops
timber land. In fact. all this has
grown out Of my going down to At
lanta to borrow twenty-five thousand
dollars on the property. think I
would have saved time II hadn't run
on YOU down there. Mr.. Wilson,"
Wilson frowned and looked at his
cigar.
I'VE are willing" said he, "to make
the loan at : per cent per annum on
two conditions"
well. out with them" laughed Mil
Ter. "What are they?'
First" said Wilson slowly and me-
thodically, I'VE want the refusal Of
the property at one hundred thousand
dollars"
Miller's indifference was surprising.
"For what length Of time do you want
the refusal Of tho property at that fig
ure?" he asked. almost in tone Of
contempt.
Wilson hung FIRE, his brow wrinkled
thoughtfully.
Till It is decided positively" he got
out finally. whether we can get a
charter and q right Of way to the prop
erty."
That's entirely too indefinite to suit
my clients" said the lawyer. "Do you
suppose, Mr.. Wilson. that they want
to hang their property up on hook
like that? Why, If you didn't attend
to pushing your 4 Dad through-well,
they would simply be in your hands,
the Lord only knows how long"
But we intend TO do all we can to
shove 1t through" said Wilson with a
flush.
you know that Is not a husinesslike
proposition. Mr. wilson," said Miller,
with bland smile. "Why, it amounts
to an option without any limit at all"
"Oh. I don't know" said Wilson
lamely. mfr Bishop will he interested
| just rs we are in getting a right OF
way through. In fact it would insure
us of his help. We can't buy n right
of way; we can't afford II. The citi-
zens through whose property the road
runs must he persuaded to contribute
the land for the purpose and Mr.. Bish-
op of course has influence up here
with his neighbors."
Still he would he very imprudent,"
said Miller. "to option his property
without any limit. Now here's what
we are willing to do. AS long as you
hold Mr.. Bishops note for $4,000 I'M
paid you shall have the refusal of the
and at 100000. Now. take my ad-
| fice"- Miller was smiling broadly
let it stand at that"
| Wilson reflected for a moment, and
then he said: "All right. Let that go.
! The other condition is this-and it
need he only n verbal promise that
nothing be said about my company's
making this loan nor our securing the
refusal of the property"
| THAT will suit us said Miller. "Nlr.
Bishop doesn't care to have the public
know his business. OF course the
mortgage will have to be recorded at
the courthouse, but that need not at.
tract attention. | don't blame Mr..
Bishop" went OH Miller in half con
fidential tore. These people are the
worst gossips you ever saw. If you
meet any of them. they will tell you
that Mr.. Bishop has busted himself
wide open by buying so much timber
land. but this loan will make him as
solid as the Bank of England. The
people don't understand his dealings,
and they are trying to take it out on
him by blasting his reputation for be-
ing one of the soldest men in his coun-
ty."
"Wcll. that's all I believe" said
Wilson, and Miller drew a blank sheet
of legal cap paper to him and began to
write. Half an hour later the papers
were signed. and Miller carelessly
handed Wilson's crisp pink check on a
New York bank to Mr.. Bishop.
with a smile. You didn't want any
one else to have finger in that big
pie of yours over there. but you needed
money, and I'll tell you as a friend
4 that hundred thousand cash down
will be about as well as you can do
with that land. 1t takes money, and
lots of it, to make money, and Mr.. W H.
sons company can move the thing
faster than you can"
That's a fact" said Wilson in q
tone that betrayed self qualification
Now we must all pull together for
the railroad" He rose and turned tc
Miller Twill you come with me tc
record the paper"
"Certainly." said Miller, and they
both left together.
The Bishop family were left alone
and, the strain being lifted. they founc
themselves almost wholly exhausted
as it all OVER" gasped the old wo
man, standing up and grasping hcl
sons arm.
We've got his money" Alan told
her, with glad smile, land fan
chance for more"
Bishops hand. Already the old sell
willed look that brooked no interior
ence with his personal affairs was re
turning to his wrinklcd face.
I'll 20 over to Craigs bank an de
post IT," he said to Alan. 1T ii take
| h,,t hn' lpI