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


wide open by buying so much timber
land. but this loan will make him al
solid as the Bank of England. TIT
people don't understand his dealings
and they are trying to take it out oil
him by blasting his reputation for be
ing one Of the solidest men in his coun
ty."
"Well that's all. l believe" SAID
Wilson, and Miller drew blank sheei
of legal cap paper to him and began Il
write. Half an hour later the papers
Were signed. and Miller carelessly
handed Wilson's crisp pink check ON a
New York bank to Mr.. Bishop.
There you are, Mr.. Bishop" he said
with a smile. You didn't want any
one else to have finger in that big
pie of yours over there. but you needed
money. and I'll tell you as a friend
| that a hundred thousand cash down
viii be about as well as you can do
with that land 1t takes money, and
lots of it. to make mo9ey, and Mr.. VIII
sons company can move the thing
faster than you can"
"That's ii fact said Wilson in a
tone that betrayed self qualification.
"Now we must all pull together for
the railroad" He rose and turned to
Miller. 'Will you come with me to
record the paper?'
Certainly" said Miller, and they
both left together.
The Bishop family were left alone.
and. the strain being lifted, they found
themselves almost wholly exhausted.
us it all overY gasped the old wo-
man, standing up and grasping her
sons arm.
We've got his money" Alan told
her, with a glad smile, "and a fair
chance for more"
The pink check was fluttering in old
Bishops hand. Already the old self
willed look that brooked no interfer-
ence with his personal affairs was re-
turning to his wrinkled face.
sI'I go over to Craig's bank an de-
post it." he said to Alan. 1T III take
a day or two to collect it, but he'd let
me check on it right now fer any rca-
sonable amount"
81 believe I'd ask him not to mention
the deposit" suggested Alan.
Huh. reckon I've got sense enough
to do that"
81 thought you intended to pay off
the mortgage on our farm the fust
thing" ventured Mrs. Bishop.
1--WE can't do it till the notes due
next January" said Bishop shortly.
II agreed To keep the money yeer,
an Martin Doe III make me hold to it.
But what do you reckon care as long
as I've got some'n' to meet it within"
Mrs. Bishops face fell. I'D feel bet
ter about it if it was cleer." she faltered.
thankful to come out as we have. If
1t hadn't been fer Alan = Mr.. Miller
said that Alan
EFF you all hadn't made sech eter
nal row." broke in Bishop testify, I'D
"a had more timber land than this. |
Colonel Barclay has as fine strip as
any | got, an he's bantered me for a |
trade time an agin."
Ahner Daniel seldom sneered at any |
body, no matter what the provocation |
was, but 1t seemed impossible for him
to refrain from 1t now.
you've been lookln' fer the last
three months like a man that needed
more land" be said. Jest no furder
back an last night you lowed eff you
could git enough fer yore folly to raise
the debt off'n yore farm you'd die hap
by, an now yo're .frettin' beca'se you
didn't buy up the sides O. the earth an
give nobody else a foothold. Lee me
tell you the truth. even eff 1t does hurt
a little Eff Alan hadn't thought O
this heer railroad idea, you'd "a been
The biggest human pancake that ever
ay fat in It's own grease"
81 hain't said nothin' to the contra
"" admitted Bishop, who really took
he reproof WELL ALAN knows what
think about it."
Then Bishop and his wife went to
Craigs bank, and a moment later Mil
er returned. rubbing his hands with
"We got through, and he's gone to
latch his train,' he said.
"It worked as smooth as goose grease.
wonder what Pole Baker said to him,
II If he saw him. have an idea he
lid, from the way Wilson danced to our
music" 4
Hers Pole now" said Abner from
he door. "Come in heer, you trifin'
oafer. an give an account o. yore-
e'f."
81 seed i'm maxim fer the train"
aughed Pole, IAN so | sneaked In to
ee what you uns done. He walked
Ike he owned the town."
ut went through like lightnin'. with
ut hitch or a bobble," Abner told
i'm.
you did noble" said Miller while
ole and Alan were silently clasping
ands. Now I told you we wouldn't
orget you. Go down to Wimbley's and
ell him to give you the best suit of
lothes he's got and to charge them to
ne and Alan"
Pole drew himself up to his full
= n