The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-08-02

In the day before the last application
was received, the last dreary explana.
ton made, the last golden promise ut
tered. Day after day the crowd surged
into the Office and out again. And it
grew not only in size, but in it's ex-
actions, for humanity in general il
very insistent in the matter of its
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 it brought in couple of govern.
ment inspectors, who wanted to know
If it was being thoroughly explained
to each applicant that the non-specula-
tive clause in the government con-
tract would be rigidly enforced 1t also
brought in '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 horde of unfor-
Inmates thousands of miles away from
familiar associations, to mountain
Businesses which in many cases would
yield nothing to the plow, and in re.
turn they were exacting the only prod
uct which made the land worth the
acquiring. Summoned to their Office,
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 to
do anything in return for the boon OF
a promised home. Some had to be
coaxed, some wheedled, some threat
ened, and few, who saw through the
whole business, placated. But on the
morning of departure Gimbold and
Hochheimer had secured signed op-
tions 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 were given a rous-
ing reception, and they beamed from
one to another of their dupes, and
went among the mothers and their
children, helping them to seats in the
train and bidding them Godspeed with
a benign courtesy that was beautiful
to behold.
In the end they were compelled to
make speech-Gimbold made it from
r1o 81
speech so inspiring in its patriotism,
so tender in it's 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 face
to face. Back of the inspector stood
the plain clothes man. from police
Headquarters
And now, Mr.. Gimbold,' began the
inspector, without preamble, land
now that you have excited those inno
cents until their feelings are at the
break1ng-point, what do you think they
would do to you if were to tell them
that those options of yours rendered
their homestead claim invalid?" i
why, ~" stammered Gimbold.
taken aback, 'I-I-don't know what
you 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 invali-
dated their titles?"
Il don't believe it," clustered Gim-
bold, holly. Its point of law-it
would have to be proved"
Granted" said the inspector: "but
those fellows wouldn't wait for the
law to settle it if / told them of nv
doubts"
well, what are you going to do
about it?' demanded Gimbold, revert
ing to that time-worn defiance.
why, I'm going to tell them, unless
you hand over those options
"Never!"
Il guess you'd better give them up.
Gimbold,' put in the "plain-clothes
man. Il don't believe the chief would
like it to be found out that Won had
disregarded his advice"
Gimbold thought a moment. Then
the futility of resistance must have
struck him, for with an imprecatfon
he pulled a thick wallet from his
pocket and handed it to the insnoc.
tor
The crowd outside surgea I'm the
steps and into the car, calling loudlv
for Gimbold and his partner. The neo-
pie wanted to see more of the mon
who had done so much for them.
While the enthusiasm was ut ite
height the conductor called "al1
aboard" The crowd instantly forgot
it's gratitude and rushed for their
places in the train.
well, what do you think, Hocky7"
asked Gimbold at last.
Il think" replied Mr.. Hochheimer
bitterly, II think we have been work.
ing for the benefit of the poor"
Horses Saved by Dog.
A New Jersey farm laborer went to
Egg Harbor City to do some shoppfng
and when he emerged from a store
his team had disappeared. No one