The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-31
Copyright. LINT" said Stone. F "Stone," said I.

Copyright. [[T LINT said Stone
 "Stone,' said I.
 Il We are Flint and Stone, solici- tors of Milbank. England. Local wits call rs the Millstones but this Is a jest .I have been thinking" l rubbed my hands.
 If we had an enemy-'
 "No." I protested "A person who entertained feelings of animosity toward us; and with whom we had declined further correspondence! lie looked at me over his eyeglasses. of we had occasion to approach him in the way of business" I suggested, "of course"
 we should forgive him!'
 "stone," I said feelingly, you are good man."
 fin the matter of that land. butt He is an ill-1conditioned person." shook my head. His last letter was scarcely polite Almost offensive. He hsinuated we were lacking in truth and honesty!' "Still we bear him no ill-w1ll. 'None whatever"
 .'The offer that we made him was nb- eral.'' - Almost reckless" It was a17oo. 'The price he asked was excessive "A bare-footed attempt at extortion" I  dred pounds indeed!' "He cannot help being sootchman," said my partner soothingly, "and this Is & season of goodwill"
 It was within a week of Christmas. nodded approvingly. "If you would like to make him an offer-shan we say a1SO0?"
 1.-TWO thousand one hundred pounds" said Stone quietly. I looked at him In anazement.
 sIt ,s barely worth s2coO!" Stone held up his finger.
 .'If the Showdown and Golghtly railway should propose to build a good station there?"
 "Ah," I said. "Oh!'
 "A little bird," he remarked playfully, '.has whispered to me that they do. fear they will have to give at least s250o." He passed me over a letter from the-aheml-httle bird.
 'I should be sorry" I observed. Tor Mckenzie to imagine that we bore him any malice. Suppose we offered him e2000" Stone shook his head.
 He would haggle till after Christmas. IT do not want any weight on my mind at that happy season" He coughed apologetically.
 I reminded him. It is little weakness of his.
 q was thinking. he remarked, "how people talk over the festive board. If the intention of the company should become known-"
 q was wrong to question your kindly instincts, Stone" I admitted. 'I had an idea of visiting Showdown today. If I can do anything to establish friendly rela- lions, 1t will be gratifying"
 Highly gratifying, Flint; especially at this season"
 became civil as soon as l explained the object of my visit, and assured me that there was no ill-feeling on his part. "Wen deal with the matter In gener- ous speerit on baith sides" he said. An nak' E2150Y' He is man with no con- science whatever!
 "Stone would never agree to a penny more than twenty-one hundred" de- clared. 'tIt's out of the question" "Yell mak' 1t a free conveyance?" ''No, no! But we'll do 1t cheaply and quickly"
 "By Christmas" promised. So we closed the bargain.
 Stone rubbed his hands when l told him. eve will take it over for signature on Tuesday," he pronounced.
 We had investigated the title during the previous negotiations saw to the mat ter myself, as Stone was busy trying new motor-a form of conveyance of which I do not approve. ] was reading the document for the last time. on Mon- day morning, when my partner rushed into our room.
 1.-The conveyance" he cried
 Just finished" held it up. He snatch ed it from my hand
 Put on your top coat and hat and come" I looked at tie clock.
 "Were just too late for the train. 'Well go on the motor."
 "Umph,' I must confess that did not trust it. q don't see why we need be in such a hurry"
 '.IIis brother is going over by the train. He has heard something about the sta sA>sAo