The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-18
CHAPTER xv.-continued.

what are known ns decoys. Builders
are timid adventurers; they like to
build where others are building: you
must lure them on to new ground; not
drive them. He would build few rows
of cottages--always saleablc. and then
few decoy houses here and there.
and then, say In two years, he could
close the yard. Meanwhile, during this
early stage, the money posred out.
Three thousand pounds already spent
on roads, $4,000 and more absorbed by
the unfinished cottages, overdraft cost
ing $1,000 a year, all income-producing
stocks and shares converted into va
cant and unremunerative ground:
everything was progressing well, slow
~, perhaps, though as well as could
be expected; but here were solid enough
items to set down to capital account
And already the unforeseen was oc.
curing. The bedrock itself on which
Bowling founded the scheme had
shifted No available building land:
building land sorely needed. but not
very foundation of the scheme: and IL
had been Knocked a little sideways
already by the fact that hIedford had
obtained other building land-ten
acres of 1t, at Hill House. Who could
have foreseen the sale OF Hill House?
In lesser matters the unforeseen con-
fronted ore. Bowling had always
counted on the rents OF Hill Rise. and
these were promptly failing. When
ever the unforeseen made itself promi-
nent. Mr. Bowling always sad TINT,
tut" and already. before five months
were gone. he had said 1t very fire.
quently.
Yes. must confess. things are go
ing SLOW
Damned slow" said Mr. crunden
once. with loud Grunt.
But it's all right. 1t will be all
right IN the end"
Yes. know that said Mr.. Crun-
den resolutely. Though 1 believe now
and a great deal longer than you
thought"
In these circumstances Mr.. Crundep
hesitated to dismiss the proposal of
a1essrs. Griggs without discussion.
1t occurred to these s.nartest and
most thoughtful of auctioneers that,
having sold the estate once, they
second commission. II Mi. crunden
favored this notion. they proposed 10
erect large marquee on the ground
itself. advertise the sale Handsomely.
secure railway saloons or special
train, issue invitation cards and return
tickets. and bring down under their
personal superintendent a heavy load
OF likely buyers" After such a
luncheon as Mr.. Crunden might be dis
posed to offer. the bidding would he
animated, and Mr. Crunden's numbered
lots would go off like hot cakes. Hot
cakes is the traditional simile: indeed
1t has become almost technical term.
Downing had often used the express
sion. and now Griggs promised and
vowed that hot-cake speed should be
attained ir Mr.. Crunden would give
them their starting signal
I'VE nave" they declared proved
these marquee sales. as conducted by
us, to be most popular and eisicacious
all over the country. We shall be glad
10 tender an estimate for preliminary
expenses and to quote lowest terms for
our own charges And. proceeding IN
their strongest argument, they urged
Mr.. Crunden to take time by the fore
lock and get rid of as much OF h 5
land as, with the utmost push. might
be possible, before the London and
Suburban Trust could glut the market
with the land they had recently ac-
CURED.
..We may say continued Mr.. Grlggs
that this company are rapidly con-
Guiding the very large operations IN
/ the neighborhood OF Croydon. which
have hitherto kept them fully occupied.
But it has come TO our knowledge that
at ain early date the company intend
to give undivided attention to the de-
yclopment of their Medford estate
which. as we need not remind yoH Is
immediately contiguous to your own.
We arc most desirous. therefore, tnat
YOU should be the first in the held
with marquee sale.
This argument possessed grea.
strength. No one could doubt that
Griggs would gladly organize a
marquee sole for Crunden's rivals, -
with the resources at their command
thev could not do the thing for them.
selves, Time was all-'mportant; and
al last, after much discussion and
thought, Mr.. Crunden said, Yes. But.
ere he irrevocably committed himself
with C.riggs, Jack Vincent was IN
structcd to write to them, pointing OUT
that the depth Of winter Is not season,
able for al fresco entertainments anu
demanding an assurance tnat ma ma w.
sales had been tried and had met VIII
success at this period of the year.
eyes" said Griggs, gladly giving the
, assurance. They would use their WIN
tar marquee with solid boarded floor.
natent stoyes-no flinsy, draughty tenn
n which you might catch your death
Of could, but spacious canvas mali N
which YOU W0UlG De SINUS aHu w. ,- 80
as In Your own draW'ng-rooM. W
suggest said GrigGs. that your NY
Vincent meet our representative. VINO
lwill visit Medford tomorrow, ana set
tie all details.
Mr., Crunden had said Yes, and hence
forth the matter seemed to pass out cI
Ibis hands. He was In the position 81
1.-The rich kind host who Is about TO
give a party, and who has assistants
to save him all trouble. His assist.
ants would see to 1t that the party
was u success, Griggs's representa-
tive complimented him on possess in
a really able assistant In Jack, four
Mr.. Vincent Is a most Acknowledgements
gentleman; he takes UP all our idcilss
and we shall not worry you further,
Sir. We shall looE to him as your dep.
uty.. Jack, as deputy, threw f1mselt
heart and soul into the laborAof prep
aration FOR tho party, and said ne
thought tho whole thing the greatest
lark.
Il call 1T a ripping idea, sri and
you're true sportsman to so IN Tor
it, Wen paint half the map red In one
Jolly. friendly day."
And always, as ~ came nearer, the
marty araw In siza and splandor. GrigGs