Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-30

such a golden shower of prosperit,
 land values began to rise again, slow
 ly at first, as buyers intrusted th
 continuance of the golden shower
 moro rapidly little later, as tn
 Guilford policy defined itself in term
 of apparent permanence.
 Towns along the line-hamlets lon
 since fallen into the way-station ru
 of desuetude-awoke with a start, be
 stirring themselves joyfully to mee
 the inspiriting conditions. At Midlan
 City, Stephen Hawk. the new right-of
 way agent, ventured to ask municipa
 help to construct a ten-mile brancl
 to Lavabee: 1t was Forthcoming
 promptly; and the mass meeting, .
 which the bond loan was anticipates
 by public subscription shouted itsel
 hoarse in enthusiasm.
 At Gaston, where Hawk asked for . donation of land whereon the company might build the Compromised divis ion repair-shops, people fought with one another to be first among thu donors. And at Juniberg. where thu company proposed to establish tht first of. g ceries of grain subtreasurief warehouses in which the farmers ,oi 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 such depots as the heavi- est crop could possibly fill.
 It was while the pendulum of pros perity was in full swing that David Kent took day of from sweating over his problem of busting the re- ceiver and ran down to Gaston. Sin gle-eyed as he was in the pursuit of justice, he was not unmindful of the six lots standing in his name in the Gaston 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 Blashfleld Hunnicott drifted in. Kent gave the sometime local attorney a cigar, made room for him on the plush-covered settee, and proceeded to pump him dry of Gaston news. Summed up, the inquiries pointed themselves thus: was there any basis for the Gaston revival other than the lately changed attitude of the railroad? In other words, if the cut rates should be withdrawn and the railroad activi- ties cease, would there not be second and still more disastrous collapse of the Gaston bubble?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. =
 "One more question and I'll let up on you," said Kent. 'Tt 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 unessily.
 Rather more than ever just now, as you'd imagine" otar,s .,,,..-,
 Tt is well. Now you know the mem mem bers 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, if your theory Is the right one. But say, Kent. l can't believe it, you know. It's too big a thing to be credited to Jim Guil- 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."
 T can't help it," Hunnicott protest ed. q don't believe that any man or 'lique could bring this thing about lnless we were really on the upturn."
 Very good; believe what you please, but do as tell you. Sell every oot of Gaston dirt that stands in Tour name; and while you are about t sell those six lots for me in subdi- 'ision five. More than that, do it pret- y soon."
 Hunnicott promised, in the broker lge affair, at least. Then he switched he talk to the receivership. -"Still up in the air, are you, in the ailroad grab case?"
 Kent nodded. NO news of MacFarlane?" Plenty of it. His health is still recarious. and will likely remain so ntil the spoilsmen have picked the | keleton clean" Hunnicott was silent for a full min te. Then he said: Say, Kent, hasn't it occurred to ou that they are rather putting meat n the bones instead of taking it off? heir bills for betterments must be out f sight
 It had occurred to Kent, but he gave lis own explanation of Major Guil- ord's policy in a terse sentence.
 Tt is a part of the bluff; fattening he thing a little before they barbe- ue it"