The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-04-28
CHAPTER XVI

Wilson laughed again as he fished
the desired article from his pocket and
gave it and a match to Pole. Then he
leaned against the heavy railing of the
banisters. Il may as well tell you, ~
he said. I'm dealer in lumber my
self, and I'd like to know what kind of
timber you have out there"
Pole pulled at the cigar, thrust IL
well into the corner of his mouth, with
the fire end smoking very near his left
eye, and looked thoughtful. ITO tell
you the truth. my friend" he said, II
rally believe you'd be wastin' time to
go over thar
"Oh, you think sol? 1t was a vocal
start on the part of Wilson.
"Yes sir; The truth is old man Bishop
has simply raked into his dern clutch
ever acre O. fine timber out that away.
Now. eff you went east, over t'other
side o the mountains you mought pick
out some good timber; but, as / said,
old man Bishops got it all in a bag
out our way. SawmillT
mo. | don't run a sawmill," said
Wilson, with an avaricious sparkle in
his eye. II sometimes buy timbered
lands for speculation; that's ALL"
Pole laughed. Il didn't see how you
could be sawmill man an smoke CT
CARS like this an wear them clothes.
never knowed sawmill man to make
any money"
Il suppose this Mr.. Bishop is buying
to sell again." said Wilson tentatively.
People generally have some such idea
when they put money into such prop
erty."
Pole looked wise and thoughtful. ~
don't know whether he is or not" he
said, "but my opinion is that he'll hold
on to it till ne's in the ground. He evil
IDENTIFY thinks good times a-comin'!
Thar was Teller out thar t'other day
with money to throw at cats. He's
been tryin' to honeyfuggle the old man
into trade, but don't think he made
a deal with i'm"
"Where was the man fromT Wilson
spoke uneasily.
II don't rally know, but he amt
a-goin' to give up. He told Neil Fill
more at his store that he was goin'
home to see his company an write the
old man proposition that I'D fetch i'm
ef thar was any trade In i'm"
Wilson pulled out his watch.
'po You happen to know where Mr.
Rayburn Millers law office is?" be
asked
Yes; it's right round the corner.
know whar all the white men in this
town do business. an he's as white as
they make 'em an as straight as a
Bhingle."
HES an acquaintance of mine," said
Wilson. 81 thought I'd run In and see
him before ! leave"
. "Tt's right round the corner an down
the fust side street toward the court
house, | 'ain't got nothin' to do; I'll !
pint 1t out"
"Thank you" said Wilson. and they |
went out Of the house and down the |
street together. Pole putting vigorously
at his cigar in the brisk breeze
"Thar you are" said Pole, pointing
to Miller's sign. "Good day, sir; much
obleeged fer this smoke" and with his
head in the air Pole walked past the
office without looking in. n
GOOD morning" exclaimed Miller as
Wilson entered. "You are not an early
riser like We are here in the country"
He introduced Wilson all round and
then gave him chair near his desk,
and facing him rather than the Others /
''This is the gentleman who owns the
property, believe" said Wilson suaye-
~ as he indicated Bishop.
Miller nodded, and look of cunning
dawned in his clear eye.
''Yes. | have just been explaining
to. Mr.. and Mrs. Bishop that the mere
signing of paper such as will be nee.
essary to secure the loan will not bind
them at all in the handling of their
property. You know how cautious old
er people are nowadays in regard to
legal matters. Now. Alan here. their
son. understands the matter thorough
", and his mind is not at all disturbed"
Wilson fell into the preliminary trap.
"Oh, no; it's not a binding thing at
ALL" he said. THE payment of the
money back to us releases you-that is,
of course" Wilson recovered himself.
s'if we make the loan"
Several hearts in the room sank, but
Miller's face did not alter In the slight
est. "Oh, of course, if the loaR is
made" he said.
Wilson put his silk hat on the top of
Miller's desk and fiioked the ashes
from his cigar into cuspidor. Then
he looked at Mrs. Bishop suddenly
"Does the lady object to snokingT
mot at ALL" said the cid lady; mot
at ALL"
There was a pause as Wilson re
lighted his cigar and pulled at 1t in ST.
lence. A step sounded on the sidewalk
and Trabue put his head DIN at the
door, Miller could have sworn at him. !
but he smiled. "Good morning, squire" q
he said
81 see you are busy" said the in
truder hastily.
"Just little, squire. I'll see you in
a few Nninutes."
.tOh all right" The old lawver