Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1904-01-05
CHAPTER xxx.
A Settlement.

When they entered the room Quincy
motioned Strout to chair, which he
took. He then closed the door and,
taking cigar case from his pocket, Of
fered cigar to Strout, which the lat
ter refused. Quincy then lighted ci-
gar and, throwing himself into an arm
chair in comfortable position, looked
straight at the Professor, who return
ed his gaze defiantly and said:
"Mr. Strout, there is an open ac-
count of some two months standing
between us, and l have asked you to
come up here today, because think
it is time for settlement"
81 don't you owe nuthin'," said
Strout, doggedly.
81 think you owe me better treat
ment than you have given me the past
two months" remarked Quincy, "but
we'll settle that point later"
II guess I've treated you as well as
you have me-" retorted Strout, with a
sneer.
.'But you began it," said Quincy.
.ssand had it all your own way for two
months; waited patiently for you to
stop, but you wouldn't, so the last
week I've been squaring up matters,
and there is only one point that hasn't
been settled From what / have
heard" continued Quincy, II am salts
fed that Miss Mason has received full
reparaticn for any slanderous remarks
that may have been started or circu-
lated by you concerning herself"
The Professor attentively regarded
! the pattern of the carpet on the floor
Quincy continued, "Miss Lindy Put
nam has repeated to me what she told
Mr.. Stiles about her visit to Boston,
and attributed the distorted and un-
! true form in which it reached the in
habitants of this town to your we'll
known powers of invention. Am I
right?"
The Professor looked up. "I'll have
I somethin' to say when you git
through" he replied.
81 expect and ask no apology or rep
aration for what you've said about
me-" remarked Quincy. "You made
your boast that one of us had got to
leave town, and it wouldn't be you.
When / heard that l determined to
stay at whatever cost, and we'll settle
this afternoon which one of us is 60
ing to change his residence"
q 81 don't think you kin run me out O.
town." said Strout, savagely.
well, don't know" rejoined Quin-
cy. Let us see what have done in
a week. You insulted Mr.. Pettengill
and his sister by not inviting them to
the surprise party. | know it was
done to insult me rather than them,
but you will remember that we three
were present, and had a very pleasant
time was the lawyer that advised
Deacon Mason not to loan that $500
to pay down on the store. told the
Deacon I would loan him $500 if the
store was knocked down to you, but
would have had that store if it had
cost me $4,000 instead of $4,000.
was the one who put your war record
in the hands of Mr.. Tobias Smith, and
I was the one that prepared the state
ment which showed how negligent you
had been in attending to your duties
as tax collector"
"Payin' so much attention to other
peoples business must have made yer
forget yer own" said Strout, shutting
his teeth together with snap.
ooh, no." remarked Quincy, with a
laugh; 81 had plenty of time left to
take hand in village policies, and my
friend Mr.. Stackpole was elected by a
very handsome vote, as you have nc
doubt heard" Strout dug his heel in.
. ia the carpet, but said nothing.
Now" continued Quincy, "I've had
your appointment as postmaster held
up till you and come to terms"
You're talsin' a lot of trouble fol
nothin'," said Strout. 'I can't be post
master unless have store. guess
i kin manage to live with my, music
teachin' and organ playin' at the
church
tI've thought Of that" said Quincy
II don't wish to go to extremes, but
will if it is necessary Before yor
leave this room, Mr.. Strout, you mus
s decide whether you will work with me
pr against me in the future"
aS'posin' decide to work agin yer?'
asked Strout; what them"
WELL" said Quincy sternly, "if yor
drive me to it, I'll bring down couple
of good music teachers from Boston
They'll teach music for nothing, anc
I'll pay them good salaries. The
church needs new organ, and III
make them present of one, on condi
ton that they get new organist."
Strout looked down reflectively fol
few minutes, then he glanced up ant
"S'posin' l switch round" said he
"and say I'll work with yer?"
eff you say it and mean it, Mr.
: SStrout," replied Quincy, rising from
his chair, "I'll cross off the old score
and start fresh from today. I'm nj
Indian, and have no vindictive feel
ings. You and have been playing
against each other and you've lost ev
cry trick. Now, if you say so, wei
play as partners. I'll give you a thirt
interest in the grocery store for $1,000
The firm name shall be Strout & Max
well. III put in another $1,000 to bu.
couple of horses and wagons, ant
we'll take orders and deliver goods
free to any family within five miles o
the store Maxwell will have third
and I'll have third as silent partner
and I'll see that you get your appoint
ment as postmaster"
Quincy looked at Strout expectantly
awaiting his answer. Finally it came
"Considerin' as how you put it, SAT-
Strout, II don't think you and me vii
clash in the futur'. *
Quincy extended his hand, whicl
Strout took, and the men shook hands
"That settles it," said Quincy.
''Just half an hour!" exclaime'
=