The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-06-02


At this juncture Wilson lost his grip
on all self possession and degenerated
into the sullen anger of sharp and I'M
expected disappointment.
Il don't feel that we are being fairly
treated" he said. I'VE most naturally
assumed that your clients wanted to-
to extend our option on the property
for at least another six months. We
assumed that from the fact that we
had no notification from them that
they would be ready to pay the note
today. That's where we feel injured.
Mr.. Miller"
Rayburn threw his cigar into Gus
pidor. His attitude of being nonin-
terested agent was simply stroke OF
genius. Behind this plea he crouched.
showing himself only to fire shots that
played havoc with whatever they
struck.
Il oeIieve my clients did feel, may
saw. honor bound to you to sell for the
price they offered. but-now l may be
mistaken-but I'm sure they were I'M
der the impression. as l was, too, that
you only wanted the property provided
you could build a railroad from barley
to it, and
"Well. that's true" broke in Wilson.
That's quite true"
"And," finished Miller, still behind
his inevitable fertilization. they tell
me that you have certainly shown in
difference to the project ever since the
note was given. In fact they asked
me pointedly if thought you meant
business, and | was forced conscien-
tiously to tell them that thought you
seemed to have other fish to fry
Wilson glared at the lawyer as if he
wanted to kick him for a stupid idiot
who could not do two things at once
work for the interests of his clients and
not wreck his plans also. 1t had been
a long time since he had found himself
in such hot frying pan,
$50 you think the thing is off,? he
said desperately. probably recalling
several purchases of land he had nude
in the section he had expected to de-
velop. ''You think it's off"
II hardly know what to say" said
Miller. THE old gentleman. Mr.. Bish-
op. is a slow going old timer, but his
son is rather up to date. full of energy
and ambition. think he's made up
his mind to sell that property"
Wilson went to his desk, lowered
over 1t like dark human cloud and
then reluctantly turned to the big iron
fr ck oh
the note. His disappointment was TOO
great for cencealment. With his rat.
pink hand on the silver plated combina-
ton bolt he turned to Miller again.
"Would you mind sitting down till |
telephone one or two of the directors Z"
mot at all" said Miller, 'if you'll get !
me cigar and the Constitution. The
Atlanta baseball team played Mobile
and l was wondering
81 don't keep track of such things"
said Wilson, coming back to his desk |
with an impatient frown to ring his
call bell for the Office boy.
"Oh, yes, believe football is your
national sport" said Miller with dry
smile well, it's only difference be-
tween arms and legs-whole bones and |
Wilson ordered the cigar and paper
when the boy appeared, and, leaving
the lawyer suddenly, he went into the
'oom containing the telephone. closing
The door after him.
In a few minutes he reappeared,
before Miller, who was chew
ing a cold cigar and attentively read
ing. He looked up at Wilson abstract
,dIy.
Bully for Atlanta!" he said. "The
yoys made ten runs before the Mobiles
lad scored
"Oh. come down ~ business" said
lie New EnGlander. ~ith ready made
mile. Honestly, don't believe you
lrowsy southerners ever will get over
oar habit of sleeping during business
lours. 1t seems to be bred in the
zone"
Miller laughed misleadingly. "Try
o down US ut horse race, and we'll
Deat you in the middle of the night.
lang it all. man, you don't know hui
nan nature, that's all! How can you
xpect me on my measly fees to dance
breakdown over business am trans
citing for other peopie?"
well, that may account for it, adj I
nitted Wilson, who seemed bent on
eing more agreeable in the light of
ONE fresh hopes he had absorbed
rom the telephone wires. "See here
We got rock bottom proposal to
make to your people. Now listen and
rop that paper for a minute BY
owe! If | had to send a man from
our state to attend to legal business,
d pick one not full of mental NOR
hine"
"Oh, you wouldn'tT Miller laid
own the paper and assumed a posture
of attention reused from
eep sleep. Fire away. I'm listening" {
Il already had authority to act for
ne company but | thought it best to a
telephone some of the directors" VIII I
on sat down in his chair and leaned i
ward the lawyer. Here's what we [
ill do. The whole truth is we are will 4
lg to plank down the required one I
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