The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-25

WE HAo - rstkltoft FROcS
kAtr - t4sIliots rUarLE> ~rso
t.HEn on -FOUR tt.As-,on crsrAr
cARea
why, no, of course not. The man
estimates the number, and he says he
has made a low estimate. In q
month from now, or by the time we
get out there, the increase will be ten
per cent. We may catch and sell all
we can and the increase will make up
for 1t. can write him that we will
exchange can ~"
Don't rush things, Mr.. Bowser
Don't write at all. Take the train in
the morning and go out there and see
things for yourself
But that would look like doubling
his word"
you want to doubt until you are
satisfied. You go right out there and
| see the situation Of things, and If they
are all right we will go into the frog,
| ticed lately that you are growing old
and have q harassed look on your
| face, and think 1t will be a great
thing for you to get out in the country
among the frogs"
Mr. Bowser looked at her for q long
| minute to see IL she was sarcastic or
in earnest. and then adopted her sug
gestion of seeing the other property
| on the morrow. During the remain
| der of the evening he was busy with
figures.
| He figured five million pairs of frogs
legs at fifty cents pair.
| He figured three million turtles at a
/ dollar apiece.
He figured four million pounds of
carp at 80 cents a pound.
Monte. cristo. It was a Golconda. It
was Standard OH and the Steel Trust
i combined. After an almost sleepless
night and bite OF breakfast he was
on his way. and by 10 o'clock in the
! forenoon he had reached Turtle Villa"
/ The place was mile from the railroad
station. It was q poor old frame house
1 which had never been painted and
| never quite finished. The orchard con-
| sisted Of two dead apple trees and one
cherry tree which was trying to live
| for spite. The lawn was a mass OF
| burdocks and weeds.
The lake could be seen from the front
! gate 1t was pond off to one side and
| at the foot of the hill. 1t was half an
| acre in extent and at least two feet
deep, and on a log sat a solitary bull
frog with closed eyes and resigned
air.
"Ah, I hardly expected you today"
said the owner Of the place as he came
out and shook hands.
mo? 1 thought I would come and
push things along. You call this house
villa, do your"
well, it will be when it's finished
TneTe Will DC lOuT tOWeTS TO = H.
"Um! And this is the orchard?"
Eyes, sir. We had nearly a bushel of
cherries off that tree last summer"
-.And this is the lawn?"
TT is"
"Um! And down there is the lake?'
l. Eyes, sir--Laxe Crystal. From that
lake you are to draw your riches"
Mr.. Bowser stood and took long
look around, and the longer he looked
the madden he got: He finally turned
to the man and said:
"Sir, you are. an Internal liar and
swindler, and I can lick you in two
minutes by the clock!"
Then he turned away and walked
down the path and down the highway
and took the train for home. Mrs. Bow
ser and the cat were on the front steps
to greet him, and as he assembled the
steps he was asked:
well, what about Turtle Villa?"
mo remarks, woman!" he replied
with a glare. You can pack your
trunks and be ready to start for your
mothers at 6 o'clock this evening! You
have made a fool of me for the last
time on this acknowledgements
1908, by T. c. McClure.)