Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1907-04-02

eign--pushIng and .crowding, bah
bling and gesticulating-
There was 90 turning them away.
those poor fellows. for not only were
there clergymen among them as Gim-
bold had seen. but reverend gentlemen
were In many, cases leaders OF special
contingents Of home-seekers. aud many
others In the crowd carried letters
::-s1 contributors 10 the fund which
we're not To be ignored. II was late
In the day before the last application
was received. the last dreary expiana'
ton made. the last golden promise ut
tered. Day after day the crowd surged
into the ONCE and out again. And IL
grew not only Ia size. but In Its ex-
actions. for humanity In general Is
very insistent IN the matter OF It's
rights when they involve free-for-all
schemes. Then the notoriety which
the newspapers gave the scheme not
only increased the size OF the crowds.
but II brought In a couple Of govern
ment inspectors. who wanted 10 know
II II was being thoroughly explained
To each applicant that the non-specuiar
tive clause In the government con
tract would be rigidly enforoed. II also
brought In a ''plain-clothes man" from
Mulberry street, who caused the part
ners additional concern.
They set out upon their task with
callous disregard OF the consequences.
They were sending a horde Of unfor-
Inmates thousands Of miles away from
familiar associations. 10 mountain
Businesses which In many cases would
yield nothing to the pillow. and In re-
turn they were exacting the only prod
net which made the land worth the
acquiring. Summoned To their once.
the home seekers came one by one.
and In the private room the question
was put to each. Some OF them. poor
innocents. were eager and willing 20
do anything In return for the boon of
q promised home. Some had 10 he
coaxed. some wheedled. some threat
ened, and a few. who saw through the
whole business. piacsted. But on the
Hochheimer had secured signed op.
tons on mineral rights from three
fourths Of the home-seekers. The rest
were considered too risky to approach.
On the morning OF the departure
they went over TO the railway station.
Nothing but the fascination OF seeing
the last OF their handiwork took them
there.
In the depot they we're given rons-
Ing reception. and they beamed from
one TO another OF their dupes. and
went among the mothers and their
children. helping them 10 seats in the
train and bidding them Godspeed with
a benign courtesy that was beautiful
TO behold
In the end they were compelled 20
make speech--C;imbold made Il from
the rear platform a. the train-a
speech SO inspiring In Its patriotism.
so tender In its pathos. that the en-
thusiasm invoked was tremendous.
and the people struggled with one an
other to get To the orator. Who was
forced TO retreat into the car. There
he met the government Inspector fac.
TO face. Back of the Inspector stood
the plain clothes man" from police
headquarters.
And now. Mr.. Gimbold." began the
Inspector. without preamble. ~snd
now that you have excited those limo
cents until their feelings are at the
breaking point. what do you think they
would do to you 4. were 20 tell them
that those options OF yours rendered
their homestead claim invalidy"
why, -" stammered Gimbold.
taken aback. "l-I-don't know what
sou mean"
oh. yes you do replied the inspec.
tor. calmly. You have with you
signed options on all the ore bodies
underlying the claims OF these people.
Suppose ! tell them they have invaii
dated their tities."
Il don't believe H." clustered Gin
bold. holly. ITS a point OF law,
would have TO be proved
Granted" said the inspector: but
those fellows wouldn't wait for the
law TO settle II II told them OF my
doubts"
Well. what are yon going TO do
about III" demanded Gimbold. revert.
ing 10 that timeworu defiance.
why. I'm going 20 tell them. unless
YOU hand over those options."
Never"
j Il guess you'd better give them IN.
Gimbold." put In the ''plain-clothes
man" Il DON. believe the chief would
like Il to be found out that you had
disregarded his advice"
+ Gimboid thought a moment -hep
the futiiity of resistance must ave
struck him. for with an impreoation
he pulled a thick wallet from his
pocket and handed II to the inspec.
tor.
The crowd outside surged up the
steps and into the car. calling loudly
for Gimbold and his partner. The PEG
pie wanted To see more OF the men
who had done 80 much for them.
While the enthusiasm was az its
height the conductor called -aiI
aboard" The crowd instantly forgot
It's gratitude and rushed for theft
places In the train.
well. what do YOU think. Hocky.-
asked Gimbold nj last.
Il think replied Mr.. Hcchheimer.