Mower County transcript., 1904-04-13

| L
, Mr.. Morrison appeared on the sill.
Then Thorpe showed the stuff of which
he was made.
"Is this the desk for buying govern
ment lands%' he asked hurriedly.
EYES," replied the clerk
~ have some descriptions wish to
buy in"
"Very WE'LL" replied the clerk. "What
township?"
Thorpe detailed the figures, which he
knew by heart. The clerk took from a
cabinet the three books containing
! them and spread them out on the coun-
ter. At this moment the bland voice of
Mr.. Morrison made itself heard at
| Thorpe's elbow. :
! '"Good morning, Mr.. Smithers," it
said with the deliberation of the con-
sciously great man.. II have few de-
| scriptions I would like to buy in the
| northern peninsula $-.,.,., -
Good morning, Mr.. Morrison. Archie,
there, will attend to you. Archie, see
what Mr.. Morrison wishes.'' 9
The lumberman and the other clerks
consulted in a low voice, after which
the official turned to tumble among
the records. Not finding what he want
ed, he approached Smithers. A whis-
pered consultation ensued between
these two. Then Smithers called:
'Take seat, Mr.. Morrison. This
gentleman is looking over these town.
ships and will have finished in few
| moments"
Morrison's eye suddenly became un-
easy.
II am somewhat busy this morning."
he objected, with a shade Of command
in his voice.
IF this gentleman"- suggested the
clerk delicately. -,.s>%. r.~,><.sr-
81 am sorry put in Thorpe, with
brevity. my time, too, is valuable
Morrison looked at him sharply. =
my deal is a big one," he snapped.
II can probably arrange with this gen.
tleman to let him have his farm
Il claim precedence" replied Thorpe
calmly. - ,@f ~
''Well," said Morrison, swift as light,
"Ill tell you, Smithers. I'll leave my
list of descriptions and a check with
you. Give me receipt and mark my
lands off after you've finished with
this gentleman"
Now, government and state lands are
the property Of the man who pays for
them Although the clerks receipt
might not give Morrison valid claim.
nevertheless it would afford basis for
lawsuit Thorpe saw the trap and
interposed.
'Hold on" he interrupted ~ claim
precedence. You can give no receipt
for any land in these townships until
after my business is transacted. m L
have reason to believe that this gentle,
man and myself are both after the
same descriptions -. ..-s-~: <ss.
What" shouted Morrison, assuming
surprise. g, -. : s !
You will have to wait your turn.
Mr.. Morrison - said the clerk, virtuous
before SO many witnesses. s,.s@ S..
The business man was in "a white
rage of excitement. La Z. t.5s%ss,s q 5%s,s:s=
~"&-i AF1isist Oll uly ,aUpllcallOn beng nlpQ
at once" he cried, waving his check.
i have the money right here to pay
for every acre Of it, and If 1tknow the
law the first man to pay takes the.
land" 81, l:.s hi
He slapped the check down on the
rail and hit it number Of times with
the fiat OF his hand. Thorpe turned
and faced him with steely look in his
level eyes. .ss 81
'Mr. Morrison he said, ..you are
quite right. The first man who pays
gets the land, but / have won the first
chance to pay. You will kindly step.
one side until I finish my business with
Mr.. Smithers here s..ss5 ...5
81 u 5i1 suppose you have the amount sac-.
ttually with YOU" said the clerk quite
respect fully. because If you have not
Mr.. .Morrison's claim will take prece-
denee.'
world hard have any sbusinesns