The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-07-11

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a couple Of bottles of champagne and
quite lopg chat"
All Of the guests were regsanlf.lg
Bradley cs1riously, but that did not ST
feet Bradley. He was chatting with
Nancy. and he did not eeen heec tie
coloners UGttered explanation:
'He was so litt4s they were seae-aed
to hurt him"
Bradley's visit was the first of sew
enl during the week. and when lie
started back TO town it was with bot
tie Of "Buckley's best" (Which was
very bad indeed in his travelling bag
and hearty sendOtf from the .rezSa-
lara"
He was back again in a couple of
weeks. and the colonel regarded Curl
ously the smile of contentment that
played about his lips when Minimum
was mentioned. Bradley refused to
divulge any of his plans and diverted
discussion by the announcement that
the l.. c. L. had decided to run the line
The statement was received with in
credulity until Bradley pointed out the
advantages to be gained. and the colo
mel sighed contentedly. Not only would
the line leave his property untouched,
but Minimum would not be railroad
town.
Down at Minimum the news was re-
ceiYed with less placidity. Buckley
promptly decided that it was the colo
neFs work and was for immediate ex-
termination Of his neighbor Only
Bradley's arguments induced him to
abandon the plan, and when his ex-
element had cooled somewhat he and
Bradley went into executive session.
That evening as Bradley strolled in
to dinner the smile had broadened. and
he looked pityingly at young Callen-
car, who was generally supposed to be
the colonels choice for a son-in-law.
1t was when the others had gone off
to play billiards tat he dropped into
the library, where the colonel sat writ
ing.
It's going to cost you about $4,000
and two half sections of good land"
he announced. "Will that be all
right?"
Which half sections?" queried the
colonel.
Bradley indicated them on the map.
''IH deed them to you tomorrow"
agreed the colonel. How did you do
it,"
"Sympathized with Buckley" ex-
planned Bradley Told him IL was n
shame that the line of the road was
transferred south, without explaining
that it took me a week to argue nv
uncle into changing the route-Uncle
inns president of the road. you know
Then | pointed out that we could GET
some land to the south where we could
spread out as we never could in Mini
mum, and | undertook to induce vo,l 70
give up the land
Then volunteered the promise that
you would duplicate the town build
i1gs on the new site as a bonus, and
Buckley gets the extra quarter section
Tor more town lots. He's so profound
~ grateful that he wants to take me
in as partner"
And all this has taken you less than
three weeks said the colonel. admir-
ingly. why, man, I've worked for
twelve years to get that quarter sec
tion.'I
BY force alone ye shall not con
quer, " quoted Bradley softly. Even
we little fellows have our uses. colonel
| guess I'll see If there's q chance to
get into the game In the billiard room.
We can fix up the titles and the con
tracts in the morning"
He stroiled out, but the colonel did
not resume his work He wheeled
about, staring into the fire.
1t was twelve mile drive to the
county seat where the papers were re-
corded, and as they drove home in the
twilight of the next evening the colo
mel refined In his horse In front of Mini
mum. Across the front OF the Palace
was an oilcloth sign which read