The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-03-17

4 wooden frame. Old man Bishop sat
near window and through his Gteel
framed nose glasses was carefully read
ing a long document written ON legal
cap paper He paid no attention to The
entrance of his son, but the lawyer, a
short, fat man of sixty-five with thick
black hair that fell below his coat col
Lar, rose and extended his hand.
"How's AlanT he asked pleasantly.
Il saw you down in the field as come
along, but l couldn't catch your eye
You see, I'm out after some o. your
dads cash. He's buying hisse'f rich.
| My Lord, if 1t ever does turn his way
he'll scoop in enough money to set you
an your sister up for life! Folks tell
me he owns mighty near every stick
of timber land in the Cohutta valley,
an what he has he got at the bottom
| figure"
IF it ever turns his way" said
Alan. but do you see any prospect
of its ever doing so. Mr. Trabue?'
The lawyer shrugged his shoulders.
II never bet on another mans trick,
my boy, and l never throw cold water
on the plans of speculator. used
to when | was about your age, but |
saw so many of 'em get rich by paying
no attention to me that | quit right
off. A man ought to be allowed TO use
his own judgment"
Old Bishop was evidently not hear.
ing word of this conversation, being
rhpI Nv oh In, CT, f1n 10
tails of the deed before him. II reckon
it's all right" he finally said. you
say the Tompkins children are all Of
ageY
"Yes Effie was the youngest" an
swered Trabue, land she stepped over
the line last Tuesday. There's her
signature in black and white. The
deeds all right. | don't draw up any
other sort"
Alan went to his father and leaned
over him. Father" he said softly
and yet with firmness. 81 wish you'd
not act hastily in this deal. You ought
to consider mothers wishes, and she is
nearly distracted over it,"
Bishop was angry. His massive,
clean shaven face was red. I'D like
to know what I'd consult her fer" he
said. I'm matter O. this kind wom-
ans about as responsible as a suckin
baby"
Trabue laughed heartily. well,
reckon it's good thing your wife
didn't hear that or she'd show you
whether she was responsible or not |
couldn't have got the first word of
that off my tongue before my wife
would a knocked me clean, through
that wall
Alfred Bishop seemed not 10 care for
leyity during business hours. for he
greeted this remark only with a frown.
He scanned the paper again and said,
We'll, eff thar's any flaw in this !
reckon you'll make it right"
"Oh, yes. I'll make any mistake of
mine good. returned Trabue. THE
papers all right.
You see said Alan to the lawyer,
mother and | think father has al
ready more of this sort of property
than he can carry. and
Il wish you and yore mother d let
my business alone broke in Bishop,
firing up again. ''Trabue heer knows
I've been worryin' i'm fer the last two
months to get the property in salable
shape. Do you reckon after he gets it
that away | want to listen to yore two
tongues a-waggin in open opposition
to it?"
Trabue rubbed his hands together
at really don't make bit of differ
ence to me, Alan, one way or the
other" he said practically. I'm only
acting as attorney for the Tompkins
estate and get my fee whether there's
a transfer or not. That's where | stand
in the matter"
But it's not whar stand in it, Mr.
Trabue," said firm voice in the door
way. 1t was Mrs. Bishop. her blue
eyes flashing, her face pale and rigid.
II think I've got right-and big
have say so in this kind of
trade A woman ats stayed by
mans side fer thirty odd yeer an
raked an scraped to hep save little
handful O. property fer her two chill
uren mas got right 10 raise rumpuS
when her husband goes crooked like
Alfred has an starts in to bankrupt
'em all jest fer blind notion O. his'n."
'Oh. thar you arer' said Bishop. lift
ing his eyes from the paper and glar-
ing at her over his glasses. II knowed
I'd have to have knockdown an
drag out fight with you fore | signed
my name, so sail in an git it over.
Trabues got to ride back to town."
but whar in the name O. common
sense is the money to come from? 2" the
woman hurled at her husband as she
rested one of her bony hands on the
edge of the table and glared at him.
las | understand it, thar's about 5000
acres in this piece alone. an yo're
a. payin' a dollar a acre. Whar's 1t
a-eomln from. I'd like to know? Whar's
1t to come fromT
Bishop shifted and ran steady hand
over his short, gray hair. You see
how little she knows O. my business"
he said to the lawyer. 'Heer she's
raisin' the devil an Tom Walker about