Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-04-25

IClty, Stcpnen HAWK, tue HeH TlSul-ot-
way agent, ventured to ask municipal
help to construct ten-mile branch
to Lavabee: 1t was forthcoming
promptly; and the mass meeting, at
which the bond loan was anticipated
by public subscription shouted itself
hoarse in enthusiasm.
At CASTOR, where Hawk asked for
donation of land whereon the company
might build the long-promised divis'
ion repair-shops, people fought with
one another to be first among the
donors. And at Juniberg, where the
company proposed to establish the
first of a ceries Of grain subtreasuries
warehouses in which the farmers of
the surrounding country could store
their products and borrow money on
them from the railroad company at the
rate of three per cent. per annum-at
Juniberg enough money was subscribed
to erect three ouch depots as the heavt-
est crop could possibly fill:
1t was while the pendulum Of pros
perity was in full swing that David
Kent took a day off from sweating
over his problem of ousting the re-
ceiver and ran down to CASTOR. SIN
| gle-eyed as he was in the pursuit OF
Justice, he was not unmindful Of the
Fix lots standing in his name In the
CASTOR suburb, and from all accounts
the time was come to dispose Of them.
He was smoking his after-dinner
cigar in the lobby Of the hotel and
| trying as he might to orient himself
when Rlashfield Hunnicott drifted In.
Kent gave the sometime local attorney
o cigar, made room for him on the
plush-covered settee. and proceeded to
pump him dry Of CASTOR news.
Summed up, the inquiries pointed
themselves thus: was there any basis
for the CASTOR revival other than the
lately changed attitude Of the railroad?
In other words, If tbc cut rates should
be withdrawn and the railroad activi-
ties cease, would there not be second
and still more disastrous collapse of
the Castor bubble?
Pressed hardly, Hunnicott admitted
the probability; given another turn,
the screw of inquiry squeezed out
an admission of the fact, slurred over
by the revivalist, that the railway
company's treasury was really the
almsbox into which all hands were
dipping.
zone more question and I'll let up
on YOU" said Kent. ut used to be
said Of you in the flush times that
you kept tab on the real estate trans
fers when everybody else was too
busy to read the record. Do you still
do it?"
Hunnicott laughed uneasily.
Rather more than ever just now,
as you'd imagine"
at is we'll. Now you know the men,
pers of the old gang, from his excel
lency down. Tell me one thing: are
they buying or selling?"
Hunnicott sprang up and slapped
his leg.
by Jupiter, Kent! They are selling
every last man of them!"
Precisely. And when they have
sold all they have to sell?"
They'll turn us loose-drop us
quit booming the town. II your theory
is the right one. But say, Kent, !
can't believe it, you know. It's too
big thing to be credited to Jim Gull
ford and his handful of subs in the
railroad Office. Why, it's all along
the line, everywhere"
I'm telling you that Guilford isn't
the man. He is only cog In the
wheel. There is a bigger mind than
his behind it."
IL can't help It," Hunnicott protest.
ed. 81 don't believe that any man or
clique could bring this thing about
unless We were really on the upturn."
Very good; believe what you
please. but do as tell you. Sell every
foot of CASTOR dirt that stands in
your name; and while you are about
It sell those six lots for me in subdi-
vision five. More than that, do 1t pref
ty soon"
Hunnicott promised, in the broker
age affair, at least Then he switched
the talk to the receivership.
Still up in the air, are you, In the
railroad grab case?"
| Kent nodded.
| "NO news of MacFarlane?"
PLENTY of 1t. His health Is still
precarious, and will likely remain 80
until the spoilsmen have picked the
skeleton Clean"
Hunnicott was silent for a full min
ute. Then he said:
Say, Kent, hasn't 1t occurred to
you that they are rather putting meat
on the bones instead of taking 1t on?
Their bills for betterments must be out
OF sight"
1t had occurred to Kent. but he gave
his own explanation of Major Gull
ford's policy in terse sentence.
1T is a part of the bluff; fattening
the thing a little before they barbe-
cue 1t"
81 suppose so. It's pity we don't
live a little farther back in the his
tory OF the world: say at a time when
we could hire MacFarlanes doctor
to obliterate the judge, and no ques-
tions asked"
Who can explain how it is that some
jesting word, trivial and purposeless
it may be, will fire hidden train OF
thought which was waiting only for
some chance spark? "Obliterate the
judge" said Hunnicott In grim jest;
and straightway Kent saw possibili-
ties; saw a thing to be done, though
not yet the manner Of its doing.
'If you'll excuse me-" he said abb
ruptly to his companion, 81 believe
I'll try to catch the flyer back to the
capital. l came down to see about
selling those lots Of mine, but II you
will undertake it for me"
"Of course" said Hunnicott; I'LL
be only too glad. You've ten minutes:
can you make it?"
Kent guessed so, and made the guess
H. L.