Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-09-18

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S6a were killing hogs at the farm.
SHSj 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
out 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
to the matter in hand quite with his
Office manner.
i've got proposition to make to
you, Mr.. Bishop" he opened up, with
q slight flush on his face. "Pve been
making some inquiries about Wilson,
and l am more and more convinced
that he intends to freeze US out-or
you. rather-by holding off till you are
obliged to sell your property for much
lower figure than you now ask him for
it."
"You think SOP" grunted Bishop, pull
ing long face.
"Yes. But what l now want to do is
dependent of him."
"Huhw calculated Bishop, even more
dejectedly. Huh! say!
Alan was looking at Miller eagerly,
as If trying to divine the point he was
about to make. 81 must confess" he
smiled, "that can't well see how we
can show independence right now"
"Well, think see way" said Mil
ler, the flush stealing over his face
again. "You see, there Is no doubt that
Wilson is on 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, I
say, throwing your land on the market
! can't blame him." Miller went on,
smiling, "for it's only what any busi-
ness man would do who is out for
profit, but we must not knuckle to
him."
Huh, huh" Bishop grunted in deep
er dependency.
"How do you propose to get around
the knuckling process" asked Alan.
who had caught the depression influ-
encing his parent.
I'D simply take up that note," said
the lawyer. "You know under the con.
tract we are privileged to pay it to-
morrow II we wish. 1t would simply
paralyze 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-
new it or not. Yes. he's confident that
he'll rake in that security-so confident
that he has been, as you know, secretly
buying land near yours"
But" exclaimed Alan, Ray. you
know we-father has invested that
money, and the truth is that he and
mother have already had so much wor-
ry over the business that they would
rather let the land 60 at what was
raised on it than toto run any more
risks"
Bishop groaned out his approval Of
this elucidation Of his condition and
sat silently nodding his head. The very
thought Of further risks stunned and
chilled him.
Millers 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 a Ger.
tain direction. For the last three
months l have been raking and scrap
ing among the dry bones of my invest
ments to get up exactly $4,000 to Sc
cure leading interest in cotton mill
at Darley Of which was to be presi-
dent. l managed to get the money to-
gether, and only yesterday | learned
that the northern capital that was to
guarantee the thing was elly in the
corner Of fellows eye up in Boston
a man that had not dollar on earth.
Well, there you are! I've $4,000 and
no place to put it. | thought if you had
lust as soon owe me the money as Will
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
him that we are not asking any favors
of 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
to the wall an6-well-he might"
All eyes were on the speaker. Bishop
had the daZed expression OF bewn-
dered man trying to believe in sudden
good luck. Abner Daniel lowered his
head and shook with low. Subdued
laughter.
You are Jim dandy, young man."
he 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
play poker with no stakes. but Airs
In a game with half the earth put up
agin another feller's wad as big as
bale hay. Play down, Alf. Play
down. You've got full hand an
plenty to draw from"