Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-08-23
HERRIChS OF THE HIGHWAYS

"HV w bNilu Aithh, AbiN
would seem To the average man like
Il heavenly dspcnsation. IL he was
planning to build hospital or art gal
ledlcs. ii might be different: but GOOD
roads-why. my dear sir. try him for
anything else"
A little investigation proved the
soundncss OF this view. Privately
many people passed jocular remarks
about his incomprehcnsiblc folly i'm
rebuilding the road to town, but there
wasn't one of them who would publicly
admit that Uncle Alvin wasn't the
wisest man who ever lived. and it
was especially evident that the
knowledge that he intended 10 do
more road building would make them
the more enthusiastic in tostirying
to this mental capacity and sound
ness
IF he lives mp to his threats com
planned VIII. the county will get his
estate just as he said.
"Or the contractors" returned his
wife gloomily.
"The coniractors," he repeatcd
eagerly. "Brocllcy is the only one IN
The county who does this sort of bus
mess AS Il regular thing, and he gets
his stone from that hill mt the north
end of old Joe Browns farm when he
mas any work tn do in this vicinity.
But say! wonder why coudn't
20 into road building myself. With
my advance information | ought 10
he able to corner the stone market
ana Uncle Alvin isn't going to kicl;
about prices when he starts out tu
throw his money away"
The idea took Immediate posscs.
sion of his mind, and he was NOT an
incident man. He might not he ,
plodder, and he might be overload of
me pleasures Of life for man with
a modest income; but he was not
ialN' ana he knew that Uncle Alvin,
was preparing for his great undertake.
ing in his slow, methodical way. I'm.
Gle Alvin was never in n hurry. Int
ne was stubborn ana perscvering. and
prided himself on doinl exactly what
lie said he would do
There was no trouble about Brown.
lie regarded his stone quarry, ms
little Letter than waste land. When
anyone wanted any for roads or
fences, he came and got it and made
an accounting TO Brown later. paving
triile for each load that he took
away So Brown merely wondered
mat anybody would be foolish enough
10 bliy, and quoted low figure that
involved only trifling cash payment.
ON such little things do great
Things hinge" laughed VIII when this
deal was made
Nor was there much more difficulty
with Brockley. At first the contrac
tor was disposed to be oyerbearinp
and scornful Road making was on
~ part of his business: but he
could see no reason why he should
divide the profit of It with an outsid.
er. Later he became more tractable
i own the quarry, you know" snp.
Eested VIII. 1--WE got the stone. and
ltallans with sledge hammers. hicks
ana shovels can be rounded IN easily
/ guess | could make n good enouoh
showing OH Uncle Alvin's contracts ia
get man of practical experience Ia
so III with me, and don't see how
you could haul your stone and hid
against that combination.
Whats Uncle Alvin's contracts .,
asked Brockley quickly.
why, he's going to do the whole
township the way he did tho road
from his house to town-got the good
roads fever, yon know. You can seq
what Kind of chance anyone also
would nave with me in the field. cs
pechlIy when I've got the marr,
ana can make price that would
bankrupt the man that has 20 haT
; me stone. don't really need any.
thing but steam roller to start in /,
why didn't you say so before?'
demanded Brockley, coming down tc
business promptly. What's youl
proposition"
wanted limited silent partner
SNIP IN the road making end of Won,
| p"sihess-lin1itcd TO that branch. Won
KNOW. III put in Uncle Alvin's con
tracts, which are going 10 he about
me biggest asset this concern eve,
had" 0'''
brockiey protested that VIII ought
| 10 BUY an interest in the business
that the idea of getting one on anotb
ers money was not fair.
Whats the use of buying fhine
| with your own money when Won car
gel some one else to buy it for Won p
inquired VIII. "lf You don't want /,
! 20 In with me on this job to nave IN,
township, I'll tackle it alone. We ca,
Just about name our own price" h,
added insinuatingly.
All right" agreed Brockley, 81
You make good'
Uncle Alvin was now "ticd II,
,ight' as viii explained to his wife
Whch he began spending his money
nc would tegin transferring goo,
part or 1t to the pockets of the no
inherit. W "'7
INT Uncle Alvin seemed to be /,
no hurry. Having brought his plal
almost to the point of action. he wa
now thinking of the results of ii. Fl!