Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-29


spoil 1t. Now. sir, that talk was
so much 'umbug. We know we was
wrong. We can see clear now. all that
you foretold then"
Hear, hear!'
And we're proud of you-and we mean
to tell you so and to prove 1t by: the honor
We have It in our power to Offer"
Hear. heart
To Mr.. Crunden. listening. It seemed
like the last cruel mockery of fate Next
November-said the mocking voices-or
the following Noyember-he might wear
the civic chain, might sit on the borough
bench and hear the last of the Guy
F'awkes charges If Gunpowder day had
happened to produce riot
He was standing with his back to the
fireplace, and he leaned on the stick
that he had used since the accident to
his leg. He was frowning. though he
sad. though he sought to appear CRATE
fully cheerful
You're very kind" and he grunted.
Gentlemen. take it very kind of YOU
and he grunted again "But-weil--1
hardly know-whether-'
Oh SAID Jack, don't refuse, sir.
You must go to the dinner. sir
Bravo" said one of the deputation.
OF course he mustr'
And We hope said another, that
Miss Crunden-your daughter, sir--wil
grace the banquet with ner presence.
Our wives will be there and 1t won't be
complete unless Miss Crunden comes.'
oh. yes" said Jack, Miss Crunden
will come,
And you. too. Mr.. vincent-I need
'ardly add-you must, comet
Yes. yes" said Jack, well all come"
He was eager to be rid of these natter
employer because he thought Mr.. Crunden
was not to be trusted to answer for him.
self. Mr.. Crunden. hesitating. frowning.
and grunting in embarrassment, hau just
now seemed to be on the point of telling
the company the reasons why no feasting
at the White Hart, no civic distinction,
could chase the wrinkles from his fore
head and Danish the worried expression
of his eyes.
Jack was unfolding his scheme-result
of his excessive toil-and Crunden and
bowling were listening attentively.
Remember. Mr.. Bowling. this Is what
call getting-out scheme. You must
dismiss the past from your mind 1t Is
not what we might have done once; it Is
what we can possibly do now"
He was seated at his table and before
him all the papers-plans, lists. indorsed
letters-were no longer in an untidy lit
ter; everything was arranged methodi-
cally, to be under his hand when he
might require it, Crunden and Bowling,
on the other side of the table, were COM
fortably established in armchairs.
Well, then, this is our present situa-
ton; our debt to the bank is G15,000. At
IL. l.
convinced that we shall never do any
good until we are clear of the bank-and
stand free. unhampered by anybody-ab-
solutely our own masters"
mo doubt said Mr. Bowling, "if YOU
can tell US how to"
Please don't interrupt me. - I'll
make everything plain as l go on. But
If you interrupt me l shall get confused
was saying 915,O00 to be provided with
out any further delay. Our other debts
Lob
have to find to pay all debts. .
We'll, now, l think 1 can see daylight
Il think we can put ourselves on sound
footing, but am sorry to say my scheme
all hinges on this: We shall still want
$4,000 to carry us over the next half
year and make us really safe.
We'll, I'll pass on. 1 have worked It
down to that, and 1 can't get it lower
five thousand; and only to carry us over.
We shan't want it for more than six
months. Now to business. Please
take the plans''-and Crunden and Dow
ling were each given map Of the whole
hill, showing the company's land as we'll
as the Hill Rise estate-"and please be-
lieve that everything 1 put before you is
solid. 1t may be good or bad, wise or
foolish; but it's -hard-boiled fact. 1t
won't blow away in smoke. The
London and Suburban make q firm offer
of seven thousand for the ten houses and
ground to the left of Hill Rise-the even
numbers. Here is their offer in black
and white, and propose that we close
with it."
1t was in truth most beggarly offer.
Mr. Crunden snorted wrathfully. Seven
thousand for the apple of his eye-the
magnificent frontage to the open COM
mon, the golden strip wherefrom, In the
original scheme, his final and princely
reward was to be derived
Giving it to Them said Jack. II know
that. 1t adjoins their land; they'll clear
away the houses and go blazing ahead.
But we must have cash, and there is
cash-seven thousand. Now look
at the ten acres marked A behind the
odd numbers. 1 have settled with the
Universal Insurance Society-all in black
and white-for a permanent mortgage of
fifteen hundred at per cent on this
ground-not to be built on
Not to be built on!' said Crunden.
why, the upper decoy house stands
bang in the middle of it,
Yes, I'll tell you about that later.
The Universal pledge themselves
to two more mortgages. Two thousand
on your three other decoys-"
They cost over four thousand, without
counting the site value"
And three thousand on the last
thirty cottages as soon as half of them
are occuped-and they will be occupied
in six months if we drop the rents low
enough. Lastly, our old friend
Griggs will let us have two thousand on
the other ten houses of Hill Rise. at
per CeHt-STeeOy uOSS-SuDJtCl TO my
scheme going through. but not other
wise. Now there you have it. l.. and s..
seven thousand; first two Universal mort
cages, three thousand five hundred; Uni
versal third mortgage, and Griggs, five
thousand. Ruination terms, no doubt, you
will say-but they're solid. and I'll eat my
hat If any one gets you better terms. And
1t doesn't matter-well pay 1t all back.
The only real sacrifice is the l.. and S.
sale-letting those Founders get just what
they want-the beautiful common front.
age"
ITS all in the Clouds" said Crunden.
shaking his head. Five thousand of 1t 10
the only promise"
No" said Jack, Its solid. Griggs and
the Universal third mortgage are contin.
gent. as said. but all in black and white.
Look" and he handed across some neatly
docketed papers, they won't wriggle out.
It's five thousand to come. But were
five thousand short till we get it.
And now to the other side-what we
are to do If we carry it through. First
and foremost: those ten acres-that we're
not to build on--comprisng the old tennis
courts-and the protecting belt that was
wanted by my guy 'nor-and you wouldn't
give
"Yes?"
well, we'll do it now. Wen give EN-
twice what they asked. Instead of five
acres, they shall have ten. 1t shall be
tennis club again-but for all Medford
this time-no rotten exclusiveness-all the
world and his wife. These people in the
companys houses are dying for a tennis
club Look here-look at that. There's
list of a hundred and fifty members at
three guineas each-all solid promises.