New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-03
6be Romance of II.
BY c. BARNEY.

doorstep, and close by was q spring wagon
with its wheels buried half way up TO the hubs
in the fine white sand of the sandhiu on which
the company's office stood.
is this the city Of san Pablo?" asked the
stranger.
That's what. This and that shanty over
there" answered Fugard. - bit sandy, isn't
it?" he added, as 4 sudden cloud of sand blind
ed the strangers eyes.
And is that 7he bay?'' asked the newcomer.
when he could see again, pointing TO vast eX
panse Of sand-banks, bisected by a narrow
channel Of water and stretching miles and
miles 10 distant line OF sea
That's what" answered Fugard again. And
that thing like a drunken. disocated centipede
Is the pier, and those mountains way back
there axe the boundaries of the city, and that
chicken pen marks the site OF the city hall, and
stand-walk up. gentlemen, please; no
charge-we now stand in that most pOpulous
district Of Grand-ave. and that shanty over
there is the seat OF the government, and also
store or depository OF general merchandise, and
I'm tie storekeeper, and who the devil are you,
anyhow"
Thank you. Here is my card. and I want
to see Mr.. Hodgson. said the stranger gravely.
FuEard took the card Then his bitter voice
grew menacIng as he said: See here. Mr..
Sheath. of London You're going to step right
up into that wagon and get-to hell II you like,
but you don't stay here TO your heart
while I'm around You're cOlonist, amt
ycI Yo
You've bought magnificent cattle ranch in
LONDON. haven't you?"
Fugard looked at the man as though he were
= mOnstroSity- Then he said.
Well then, what in thunder brings you
= want to see Ny. Hodgson. Is he here?''
Yes; he's in there irrigating his inside.
Walk in You're 4 phenomenon, Mr.. Sheath,
and l congratulate you on it. All right. I'll
attend 10 your horses l see you've brought
in trying TO accommodate themselves 10 the
circumstances. Step right in"
The stranger did
After nearly an hour of gentle steady work,
FuEard left the horses with a caressinG pat,
and made his way TO the office again He
paused fer a moment on the doorstep and said
Percy waNeth eloquent 10 the stranger
Then he entered.
i tell you sir, il was 4 cruel shame, out
rage 10 send those fellows out here"
Hear, hear" said FUgard.
Glad you've come IN. George said the boy.
as he eNcitealE STROBE W and down on the
debris streWn floor. I've just been telling Mr..
Sheath about the Broncers. The companys
busted. George The whole things s"lnde.
Sir Richard We'cher is in qUot, and NJ. Sheath
has come out on behalf Of the shareholders
the widows and orphaus-to settle things Up
and take over the assets"
Take over the assets" echoed Fugard-
That's good
Sheath How long have they been here
"oh, about forty mean two years, an
SWered Percy.
But why did they stay?" pursued Sheath
You don't know Willie Rroncer,' answered
Percy. again somewhat feebly.
Look here, Mr.. sheath said FuEard rough
y. advancing from the door as he spoke and
leaning across the table kindly put ou,scIc
in the place Of either If TWO brothers, the cider
a merry, simple, guIleleSs, equity, ChivalrOus,
bald headed E;ue man with a pot belly Who
had never had the necessity Of making UP his
mind his life, and had always allowed his
strong, handsome brother TO do it for him: the
other fine built fellow, with a viii and Z head.
neither Of which had ever been used save at
billiards or horse racing or among women. Can
you DO it?"
IN try"
That's right. Well, suppose that your
father. another guileless, chivalroUs little man,
already nearly ruined, had crippled himself
still further by buying IN London what he was
led to believe TO be a splendid cattle ranch
near the city Of San Pablo, as il appears on
worshipping sisters and trusting sweetheart,
all confident Of speedy success and fortune.
Are you with so far7 Good! Well, suppose
that, confident Of your power, and with all
kinds Of romantic silly notions, you have sailed
for this magnificent country. and arriving ar
and & general outfit with your small remaining
cash capital, and that, eager 10 view your
yet unseen estate. you have driven in ad-
miles and miles through I God forsaken
country like that through which you have just
driven IN reality, TO arrive here. here on this
city Of San Pablo and that the country through
which you have driven IL Identical in character
TO that Of your great estate. Well. what would
you do?"
MI. Sheath thought for some time before
answering Then he said: Il believe I'd stay
and make q fight for it,
quite Sc" said Fugard. And I'd give a
man like you six months in which to shoot
yourself"
Come. come, sir" said Sheath TT is an
unfortunate case, certainly. but IL seems to me
that you gentlemen take it almost morbidly to
hon fT IL.