The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1907-06-27

a couple of bottles of champagne and
quite a long chat
Az OF the guests were regarding
Bradley curiously, but that did not af-
feet Bradley. He was chatting with
Nancy, and he did not even hear the
colonels muttered explanation:
"He was so little they were ashamed
to hurt him.
Bradley's visit was the first of sew
eral during the week. and when he
started back to town it was with bot
tie of "Buckley's best (Which was
very bad indeeO in his travelling bag
and a hearty sendoff from the ''regu-
lars
He was back again in a couple of
weeks. and the colonel regarded Curl
ously the smile of contentment that
played about his lips when Minimum
was mentioned. Bradley refused to
divulge any Of his plans and diverted
discussion by the announcement that
the L. c. L. had decided to run the line
three miles farther to the south.
The statement was received with in
credulity until Bradley pointed out the
advantages to be gained, and the colo
mel sighed contentedly. Not only would
the line leave his property untouched,
but Minimum would not be a railroad
town.
Down at Minimum the news was re-
ceived With less placidity. Buckley
promptly decided that it was the colo
I,o, II e., iofn
termination of his neighbor. Only
Bradley's arguments induced him to
| abandon the plan, and when his ex-
element had cooled somewhat he and
Bradley went into executive session.
! That evening as Bradley strolled in
to dinner the smile had broadened, and
he looked pityingly at young Callen-
dar, who was generally supposed to be
the colonel's choice for a son-in-law.
1t was when the others had gone off
| to play billiards that he dropped into
! the library, where the colonel sat writ
ing.
"Its going to cost you about $4,000
and two half sections of good land,''
he announced ''Will that be all
: right?"
(Which half sections?'' queried the
colonel
Bradley indicated them on the map.
I'll deed them to you tomorrow"
agreed the colonel. 'How did you do
it?''
'Sympathized with Buckley" ex-
bplained Bradley. Told him it was a
shame that the line of the road was
transferred south, without explaining
| that it took me week to argue my
uncle into changing the route-Uncle
! Jim's president of the road, you know
| Then [ pointed out that we could get
| some land to the south where we could
| spread out as we never could in Mini
mum, and | undertook to induce you to
! give up the land
"1hen l volunteered the promise that
you would duplicate the town build
ings on the new site as bonus, and
| Buckley gets the extra quarter section
! for more town lots. He's so profound
| ly grateful that he wants to take me
! in as partner
| "And all this has taken you less than
three weeks said the colonel, admir-
ingly. why, man, I've worked for
twelve years to get that quarter Sec
/ ton"
"'By force alone We shall not con-
quer,'" quoted Bradley softly. Even
we little fellows have our uses, colonel.
1 guess I'll see if there's a chance to
get into the game in the billiard room.
We can fix up the titles and the con-
tracts in the morning."
He strolled out, but the colonel did
not resume his work. He wheeled
about staring into the fire.
1t was a twelve mile drive to the
county seat, where the papers were re-
corded, and as they drove home in the
twilight of the next evening the colo
mel refined in his horse in front of Mini
num- Across the front of the Palace
was an oilcloth sign which read: