Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1907-09-19
THE BUILDERS
(By Willis Geo. EmersOn.)
Author Of
''BUBIs HAMPTON" AND
1.-THE SMOKY GOD. "
Continued from last weekly
CHAPTER VII.
DICK BALLARD IS INTRODUCED

ranged along the four sides OF IT
in sentinel-like positions, the cor
ner lots, where the most substan-
tial buildings are usually erected
going at premium. Waterville
could not boast of a public square
but it had an iron bridge, and also
an old wooden one spanning the
Thief River. A stone grist mill
had been built ON the side of the
river opposite the town and on the
elevated ground above it was said
the State agricultural college would
be built.
1t was a favorite pastime of the
the real estate agents to sit on the
station platform and while wait.
ing for the incoming trains, whit.
tie pine sticks into shavings, tell.
ing of the different manufactures,
State institutions, colleges and 9th.
er public buildings that would be
located at Waterville in the near
future.
That evening. after Fred had
made his purchase of town lots
he .strolled away by himself across
the iron bridge. Had he acted
wisely? Would Waterville, after
all, prove a Gloom town, and his
investment be losing one? Was
Wilbur Winthrop, with his suave
manners and great earnestness,
which at times seemed to carry
conviction to the hearts of all who
heard him, the noble specimen OF
manhood he appeared, or was his
fascination merely the art of the
skilled western boomer2 Would
the managing editor if he knew of
it, approve his action in purchas-
ing lots in such new and unde-
veloped place as Waterville2
1t is common experience with
mankind that after a perpleXing
transaction has been consummated
we can deliberate with far more
intentness than while negotiations
were pending.
A popularity Of the western town
is the plentifulness of real estate
agents, who seem to travel in
swarms, and like so many vipers
feed on the credulity of the pecu-
liar class of wise investors who
are always trying to get something
at a bargain-counter figure, usually
resulting, however, in their paying
an exhorbitant price. After
reaction sets in and hard times
overtake them this migratory assert
ment of land agents generally pick
up their "ink horns" and fly as il
from pestilence. When a trade
is made with tenderfoot, however
everyone in the village knows Of ii
within a few hours.
AS Fred was returning from his
walk he was met on the outsklrti
of the village by number OF
hangers-on who make their living
selling town lots on commission
Each one was DESTROYS of saying
fiust word" to Fred in private
The story of one was practl-
cally the story of all. They advised
him to stop and think what he was
losing by not buying more property
in Waterville. One particularly
long, lanky individual, a rough
and ready frontier character, pos
sessing all of the Gear marks" o.
having recently gone to seed, ant
who wore sombrero and high
topped boots, assured him that al
opportunity of lifetime was a
that very moment knocking at hi
door and might never come again
eff you will revisit Watervill
in few months time he said
f'you will find the town lots | cal
sell you today for a mere song
going at ten times the price yo'
can buy them for now.
"My name is Gideon Gibbon
and i presume I am doing tn
biggest real estate business in Wa
terville, / sell more lots than an
other half dozen agents in this 'er
town. You've made a mistake
Mr.. Rockwell, ii buying of tn
Town Company. OF course, thi
is confidential, but if you'd com
to me stead of buyin' of Wir
tbron. I'd saved you big money.