The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-09
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thor or The Rawrcd Messen ~
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rights

Mem. Con-" said Mr.. Garrett, still
There's \. three lrnl men to one Towns
Mr.. gaton objected.
= We'll y ',,ll , then. Sir John went on
a with the vendors 100
May u" said Mr.. Garrett witt, great
suaYity. II remains to discuss the
price we are MISREPRESENTATION
4 fortunately without frontage = But
they viii no doubt call 1t building
Hand" "
1T is building land" said Mr.. DOW.
Ing.
I'm a sense-yes. Here your expert
knowledge will aid lis, Mr. Bowling.
shall we be far wrong X VIC estimate
the value at 1900. and offer that price7'
y am quite unable to- say"
Three hundred an acre, Mr.. Dow.
ling? That to three .ilfty. eh?''
I'm sure don't know"
But you must know--as an arci,f.
teet, you must be able to give an exc
4 pert opinion"
80. ~ prefer not to give my opinion--iu
Really? That is odd" and Mr.. Gar.
rctt paused. Surely somewhat odd?"
But Mr.. Bowling only looked up az
the vaulted ceiling. and remained silent
while Mr.. Garrett again paused.
Ihen Mr. Crunden gruntcd. and rosa
from his far-on chair.
4 Il think" he said firmly. ~ can eavs
waste OF time. Your committee will
fail. The land won't be sold to you"
Everybody had turned and was lool.-
Ing at him. but he was looking straight
across the room at Sir John and at no
4 one else.
Won't be sold?''
NO. Not at your price"
But Dir. Crunden." asked Sir John
anSiously. are you empowered to say
1 that? Do you really know the views
Of the owner?'
| What price thcn?'
/ Cries OF "oh: OH" "Absurd." "Ri.
dlculous" were succeeded By a deep
murmur. and then there was silenee
again.
DO you speak authorltativeiy-tor
the owncr7"
/ II am the owner
That Is fact" said Mr.. Downing.
Purchase completed at noon today
Fla. ha," said Mr.. Jack Vincent. with
short laugh; Then 1t wasn't the
! man In the red tie.''
The room was filled with growing
rurmur. People. turning to one an
other. talked rapidly.
"Oh. OH said many voices: ''Shamew
said q single voice: "Baackmail!" said
another voice. "Oh. oh. OH" Then
and strong: Hedgehog Crnnden!"
Mr.. crunden." said Alderman Hop
kins impressively. you can't be in
earnest. Youn can't wish TO profit by
the Towns difficulty"
| You can't fly in the face OF public
/ opinion" said Mr. Hope.
4 1T would be q shabby. disgraceful
4 trick" said Colonel Beaumont. And
the voices made a noisy chorus:
"Blackn,ail! Blackmail. Shame! Name
fair price. Don't be 'Edsehogm
Gently. gently please" cried sir
John. endeavorins to keep order. '3lr.
Crunden. Mas we hope you arc jok-
ing :.
Garrett with urgent suavity. Eve APP
! peal TO sou to help us.
TO. thelsake OF the TOWN. said
In the name OF the Town. Don't for
get what you owe to the Town."
No." said old Crunden loudly and
hnrshly. BE dashed to the Town.
J owe the Town nothing" and once more
the chorus Of voices broke out. But
i, he went on speaking. It was wonder.
fnl to see his effort to make himsel.
heard. and how the effort succeeded.
His face mad flushed: his clenched
| hand shook. his voice was harsh and
strained but he was heard now in
silence. till with eliminating force he
| reached his last words. II owe the
Town nothing. What has the Tow
done for me? There's old Crunden!
Old Hedgehog That's what you say.
| You don't even touch YOUR hats to me.
| You and the Town are all srovellins
Look. Here comes one Of the ,sweiis
from the hill!' Run out of your shops
then--and touch your hats--and bow
anu cringe. oh. thank you. my Lord.
| for coming down among us-,ls poor
working folk. Well. I'm tired OF 1t.
am tired of the lordly Hill. I'll smash
down Its nonsense. I'll swallow 1t
with new clean town. And II you
| you tenants-don't like my ways, you
Iimay go. In five years I'll not leave
one Of the old bricks standing. to re-
mind me OF your contempt your pat
ronage, and your petty pride. That's
my answer to your request. Sir John.
There was deep nurmus OF indlg-
l,ration, but very few cries were raised.
lit seemed that the strident voice had
lcowed the audience. or that the threats
were 50 monstrous that one was unahla
indeuuately to express ones horror The.
business of the meeting was OF course
over: the meeting broke up will, u
strange quietness. as of surprise, tul-
Ispotence. conformation.
All. as they rose, drew away from
ICrundcn SO that he stood quite alone.
Mr. Bowling. coming to him from the
ltehle. was drawn awav IN the crowd
But about Miss crunden all the world
had gathered TIE IIill Rice ladies'
bad bounced upon her. surrounded her,
brought her away from her fathers
side. They were all talking to her at
once. and oyer-tf1e ladies' shoulders tho
gentlemen also talked to her. Lady
Vincent, holding her in vain strug-
gled for undivided attention.
miss Crundan, can't you influence
your father? Ny dear Miss Crunden."
said Lady Vincent. ''For your sake
The must listen to reason. It would +
he cruel to you
+ He'll re Dotted In the streets" said
Mr.. hopkins
.'He'll he ni1lnried In the public
press said Mr.. Hone.
''But how cruel tn vou.'' urged a1,ary
Vincent. Miss Crurden. rersr.de him.
pn, rlAase try IT. persuade him"
White Lady Vincent ord the ladies /
we're tlnsTerrs red. wh,,e Sir John with
his sunnnrtars had drawn back from