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


proposition that they allow you the
refusal of the land at one hundred
thousand, and they have finally come
/. round to it. AS told them. they could
not possibly market thing like that
as easily and for as good price as q
company regularly in the business.
may have been. wrong in giving such
advice but 1t was the way l felt
! about it,
Without realizing 1t, Wilson tripped
in another hole dug by Miller's inven-
tive mind.
"They couldn't do half as well with
| it," the Boston man said. "In fact, no
one could. as told you, pay as much
for the property as we can, considering
the railroad we have to move some
where and our gigantic facilities for
handling lumber in America and
abroad. Still think. and our directors
think, hundred thousand is a big
price"
Miller laughed as If amused. That's
five dollars an acre, you know, but
I'm not here to boom Mr.. Bishops
timber land. In fact, all this has
grown out of my going down to At
lanta to borrow twenty-five thousand
dollars on the property. think
wou11 nave saved tine If faun run
on you down there, Mr.. Wilson,"
Wilson frowned and looked at his
cigar
I'VE are willing" said he, ito make
the loan at . per cent per annum on
two conditions"
well, out with Them" laughed Mil
ler "What are they?"
First" said Wilson slowly and me-
thodically. I'VE want the refusal of
the property at one hundred thousand
dollars
Millers Indifference was surprising.
For what length of time do you want
the refusal of the property at that fig
ure" he asked, almost In a tone Of
contempt.
Wilson hung fire. his brow wrinkled
thoughtfully.
It'll it is decided positively" he got
out finally, whether we can get
charter,and a right of way to the prop
erty."
That's entirely too indefinite to suit
my clients" said the lawyer. "Do you
suppose. Mr.. Wilson, that they want
to hang their property up on a hook
like that? Why, II you didn't attend
to pushing your road through-well,
they would simply be i'm your hands.
the Lord only knows how long"
"Rut we intend to do all we can to
shove it through" said Wilson, with
flush.
"You know that is not businesslike
proposition. Mr.. Wilson," said Miller.
with a bland smile. why, It amounts
to an option without any limit at ALL"
"Oh, I don't know" said Wilson
lamely. mfr Bishop will be interested
Just as we are in getting a right of
way through. In fact. it would insure
us of his help. We can't buy right
of way: we can't afford It, The citi-
Zens through whose property the road
runs must be persuaded to contribute
the land for the purpose. and Mr.. Bish-
OBs VI NOuASC. mas iuhuChNN W. h~AS
with his neighbors."
"Still he would be very imprudent."
said Miller. ito option his property
without any limit. Now here's what
we are willing to do AS long as you
hold Mr.. Bishops note for $4,000 I'M
paid yon shall have the refusal Of the
land at 100000. Now, take my adj
was smiling broadly
''let it stand at that"
Wilson reflected for a moment, and
then he said: "'All right. Let that go.
The other condition is this-aIid it |
need be only a verbal promise that |
nothing be said about my colnpany's |
making this loan nor our securing. the |
refusal of the property" ~
THAT will suit US, "said Miller. 'Mr. |
Bishop doesn't care to have the public |
know his business. OF course the |
mortgage will have to be recorded at |
the courthouse but that need not at |
tract attention. l don't blame MIR. |
Bishop.'" went on Miller in q half con-