Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-02-06
ina. It's lottery, for you never can

ing. It's lottery, for you never can
tell, until three years afterward.
whether transplanted tree will live
or die. But at low price can take
the risk. I'm willing to give three or
four dollars apiece for good trees the
size of yours. If you're willing to
take my price, it's a bargain"
Gertrude's heart fairly jumped.
How many woalld you want?" she
asked.
about fifteen or twenty, if you
have as many as that that are worth
taking. I'll go over and take a look
at Them and off he started, with
Dick at his heels.
Gertrude's heart fell again. Four
dollars for twenty trees-to take the
highest rate and largest number
would be only eighty dollars. That
was not enough. Then another
thought came into her mind, and as
she followed 1t out her face grew de-
termined. She could look business
like when she chose. 1t was her bust
ness look, well known of Dick, that
greeted the tree man when he came
back, brusquely satisfied with what
he had seen.
"I'll send my men out some day
next week." he said. "The trees are
not as large as | should like, but
they'll pass muster at three dollars
apiece"
I'VE have not made any bargain"
said Gertrude, quietly.
The tree man looked at her. He
had only noticed her youth and Dicks
and the tumble down farm, and the
evident poverty of the place. Now he
noticed Gertrude's mouth, and, be-
cause he was something OF a physi-
ognomist, he change his tone.
81 make you an offer of three dol
lars a tree for twenty trees, and l
will put 1t in writing If You wish. l
represent the firm of Williams &
Prendengast"-a he took business
card out of his pocket and handed it
to her. my name is Sutton
81 will consider the offer and write
to you within week, Mr.. Sutton"
said Gertrude, slowly.
The tree man looked at her now
harder than ever
II am not sure our offer will hold
week." he said, "as I am in treaty
for some other trees in the neighbour
hood"
Very we'll" said Gertrude, 81 will
! wait, then, till you write to me in
stead"
Mr. Sutton smiled uneasily. Eve
can wait-er-till next Friday he
said. Dick stared, and felt his con-
fidence in Gertrude returning. He
was not surprised when, after the
man drove away, she turned cheer
full face upon him.
Dick, those trees are worth some
thing!" she cried.
Three dollars apiece" responded
Dick. But twenty times three"
81 did that sum while you took him
to the grove. 1t isn't enough. But,
Dick, the next thing thought of was
that there aren't any other elm-trees
like those for good many miles
round. Mr.. Sutton saw them yester-
day and asked you about them. Then
he drove onto look for others. He
had to come back-because he didn't
! find any others And if he wants them
he will have to pay us five dollars
apiece at least. What l wanted
Dick, was time to find out what trees
are worth. You hitch up Rex, and
Well drive into the city"
Dicks eyes ,widened. you're a
daisy!" was his brotherly comment
and he hurried old Rex into the 'har
ness with boyish zeal.
The roads were rough, the wagon
springs old. 1t was jolted and shah
by pair of young people that drove
into the city two hours later, but hope
rode with them and made the way
easy.
Gertrude had said, as she jumped
into the wagon, except the editor o.
the Farm Journal. Father once wrote
an article for it, and always took It,
But the girl felt very shy. JUS
the same, when she was ushered in
to the editors Office, to find, instead
of the gray-haired sage she expected
an energetic young man who was
busy with a stenographer and
printers boy. He was not too busy
however, to give her attention in {
few minutes, and ask her leading
questions, when she did not know ex
actly how to tell her story.
HIN! Three dollars. How old art
the trees, did you say? Sutton? Fiv'
dollars a possible price? My dea
Miss Henderson, know man whit
paid one hundred and fifty dollars TO
single eighteeninch elm for hi
lawn the other day. He paid it
don't say you can get it for yours
The tree man needs the lions share
for he has to have special carts, bull
in sections, with a chute to slide thu
tree, earth and all, into the holes pre-
pared for them; and he has to know
Just how and when to dig up thu
trees; and knowledge is money.
wouldn't advise you to ask more thai
twenty-five dollars apiece for you
4 trees, because you might not get it
You write Mr.. Sutton that you have
consulted with one who is familia
with the rates, and that twenty -fiwt
is your price-for twenty trees.
think can guess who Sutton want.
them for-Allen, the millionaire
whose house is just finished, out b!
the lake In that case, you nigh
get more, but twenty-five is certain
ty. I'd be glad to know how you sue
ceed-you needn't thank me. wisl
1 had few elm trees myself for sale
Good,by, Miss Henderson," and Ger
trude went out to the elevator, no
knowing whether she wanted to go VI
or down, the confusion of her 10.
was so great.
But can't believe it, Dick, till /
really happens" she said, over ans
over again on the way home.