St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-04-13

IN the day before the last application
was received, the last dreary explana-
ton made, the last golden promise ut.
tered. Day after day the crowd surged
into the office and out again. And it
grew not only in size, but in it's ex-
actions, for humanity in general is
very lnsistent in the matter of its
rights when they involve free.for-all
schemes. Then the notoriety which
the newspapers gave the scheme not
only increased the size of the crowds,
but it brought in couple of govern
ment inspectors, who wanted to know
II it was being thoroughly explained
to each applicant that the non-specula.
tive clause in the government con
tract would be rigidly enforced. 1t also
brought in ''plain-clothes man" from
Mulberry street, who caused the part
ners additional concern.
They set out upon their task with
callous disregard of the consequences.
They were sending q horde of unfor-
Inmates thousands of miles away from
familiar associations, to mountain
Businesses which in many cases would
yield nothing to the pillow, and in re-
turn they were eXacting the only prod
uct which made the land worth the
acquiring. Summoned to their office,
the home-seekers came one by one,
and in the private room the question
was put to each. Some of them, poor
innocents! were eager and willing to
do anything in return for the boon of
promised home. Some had to be
coaxed, some wheedled, some threat
ened, and few, who saw through the
whole business, placated. But on the
morning Of departure Gimbold and
Hochheimer had secured signed op-
lions on mineral rights from three
fourths of the home-seekers. The rest
were considered too risky to approach.
On the morning of the departure
they went over to the railway station.
Nothing but the fascination of seeing
the last of their handiwork took them
there.
In the depot they were given a rous-
ing reception, and they beamed from
one to another of their dupes, and
went among the mothers and their
children, helping them to seats IN the
train and bidding them Godspeed with
a benign courtesy that was beautiful
to behold.
In the end they were compelled to
make speech-Gimbold made it from
the rear platform of the train-a
speech so inspiring in it's patriotism,
SO tender in its pathos, that the en-
thusiasm invoked was tremendous
and the people struggled with one an
other to get to the orator, who was
forced to retreat into the car There
he met the government inspector face
to face. Back of the inspector stood
the plain clothes man. from police
Headquarters.
"And now, Mr.. Gimbold," began the
inspector, without preamble, land
now that you have excited those limo
cents until their feelings are at the
breaking-point, what do you think they
would do to you if were to tell them
that those options of yours rendered
their homestead claim invalid?"
why, IL" stammered Gimbold,
taken aback, 'T-I-don't know what
you mean"
"Oh, yes you do" replied the inspec-
tor, calmly. You have with YOU
signed options on all the ore bodies
underlying the claims of these people.
Suppose l tell them they have invali-
dated their titles?"
Il don't believe it," clustered Gin
bold, hotly. Its a point of law-it
would have to be proved"
Granted" said the inspector: "but
those fellows wouldn't wait for the
law to settle it if l told them of nv
doubts
We'll, what are you going to do
about it," demanded Gimbold, revert.
ing to that time-worn defiance.
why, I'm going to tell them, unless
you hand over those options"
"Never!"
Il guess you'd better give them I'M,
put in the "plaiu-clothes
man." Il don't believe the chief would
like it to be found out that you had
his advice
Gimbold thought a moment. Then
the futility of resistance must have
struck him, for with an imprecation
he pulled thick wallet from his
pocket and handed it to the inspec.
tor.
The crowd outside surged up the
steps and into the car, calling loudly
for Gimbold and his partner. The neo.
pie wanted to see more of the men
who had done so much for them.
While the enthusiasm was at IFS
height the conductor called "all
aboard" The crowd instantly forgot
is gratitude and rushed for their
places in the train.
well, what do you think, Hocky?"
asked Gimbold at last
Il think" replied Mr.. Hochheimer
bitterly, Il think we have been work
ng for the benefit of the poor"
Horses Saved by a Dog.