The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-09-27

IL was while the pendulum or pros
perity was in full swing that David
Kent took a day on 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
six 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 Blashfeld Hunnicott drifted in.
Kent gave the sometime local attorney
a cigar. made room for him on the
plush-covered settee. and proceeded 10
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, IL the cut rates should
be withdrawn and the railroad activi-
ties cease. would there not be a 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.
'One moresquestion and I'll let up
on you" said Kent 1T 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,
ct is well. Now you know the 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 SELF"
They'll turn us loose-drop us
quit booming the town, II your theory
is the right one. But say. Kent. |
can't believe II. 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 a cog in the
wheel There is a bigger mind than
his behind it."
Il can't help g." Hunnicott protest
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
II sell those six lots for me In subdi-
vision Ave. More than that, do it pref
ty soon"
Hunnicott promised, in the broker
age affair. at least Then he switched
the talk to the receiyership.
still up in the air. are you. in the
railroad grab case7"
Kent nodded.
mo news Of MacFarlane?"
Plenty of IL. His health is still
precarious. and will likely remain so
until the spoilsmen have picked the
skeleton clean"
Hunnicott was silent for a fun min
ute. Then he said:
Say. Kent, hasn't II occurred TO
you that they are rather putting meat
on the bones instead of taking 1t Of!
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 a terse sentence.
ct is a part of the BLUM; fattening
the thing a little before they barbe-
cue It."
II 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 ohliterate the Judge. and no ques-
tons asked"
Who can explain how II is that some
testing word, trivial and purposeless
II may be. will fire a hidden train OF
thought which was waiting only for
some chance spark? "Obliterate the
Judge" said Hunnicott in grim jest;
and straightway Kent saw possibill-
ties; saw a thing to be done, though
not yet the manner Of its doing.
"If you'll excuse me-" he said alb
ruptly 70 his companion, II believe
III try to catch the flyer back to the
capital. came down to see about
selling thdse lots Of mine, but II you
will undertake II for me-"
"0f course" said Hunnicott; "Pll
be only too glad. You've ten minutes:
can you make it?''
Kent guessed so, and made the guess
a certainty with two minutes TO spare.
The through sleeper was lightly load
ed. and he picked out the most I'M
neigh bored section of the twelve, being
wishfui only for undisturbed thinking
ground. But before the train had
swung past the suburb lights of Gas
ton, the smokers unrest seized him
and the thought-wheels demanded to-
bacco. Kent fought II as long as he
- Il