The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-09-19

market and got my money. Hurrah
for usw
"The turtles, frogs and carp have
been counted, have theyT asked Mrs
Bowser after no had got through dane.
linz around.
why no, of course not, The man
estimates the number, and be says be
hns made low estimate. In d month
from now, or by tho time we get out
there, the increase will be 10 per cent.
We may catch and sell all we can, and
the increase will make up for II. can
write him that wc will exchange, can
IY
Don't rush things, Mr.. Bowser.
Don't write at all Take the train In.
the morning and 20 out there and sec
things for yourself"
"But that would look like doubling
his word"
"You want TO doubt until you are sat.
isHed. You 20 right out there and see
the situation OF things. and II they are
all right we will 70 Into the frog, turtle
and carp business. have noticed
lately that you nre growing old and
have harassed look on your face,
and ! think II will BIO o great thing for
you to get out in the country among
the frogs"
Mr.. Bowser looked at her for a long
minute TO see II she was sarcastic or In
earnest and then adopted her sngges.
tion OF seeing the other property on the
morrow. During the remainder OF the
evening he was busy with figures.
He figured 100000 pairs Of frogs
legs at 30 cents pair.
He figured 100000 turtles at a dollar
apiece.
He figured 100000 pounds OF carp
at 30 cents a pound.
Arrives at Turtle Villa.
II was Cripple Greek. II was a
Monte Cristo. II was Golconda. 1t
was Standard on and the steel trust
combined. After an almost slecpless
night and a bite OF breakfast be was
OH his way. and by 10 o'clock In the
forenoon he hnd reached Turtle villa.
The place was mile from the rail.
road station. II was a poor old frame
house which had never been painted
aud never quite finished. The orchard
consisted Of two dcad apple trees aud
one cherry tree which was trying to
live for spite. The lawn was mass
OF burdoeks and weeds.
The lake could be seen from the
front gate. 1t was a pond OF at one
side and at the foot Of the hill. II Sas
half an acre In extent and at least two
feet deep. and on a log sat solitary
bullfrog with closed eyes and re-
signed air
"Ah, hardly expected you today"
said the owner OF the place as he came
out and shook hands.
"No7 thought I would come and
push things along. You call this house
n villa. do your"
"well, II VIII be when It's finished.
There will be four towers to It."
"Um! And this Is the orchardT'
yes, sir. We had nearly bushel
Of cherries or that tree last summer"
"And this Is the lawnf'
at Is"
"Uml And down there is the lakef"
"Yes, sir-Lake Crystal. From that
lake you are to draw your riches"
Mr.. Bowser stood and took a long
look around. and the longer he looked
the madder he got. He finally turned
to the map and said:
"Sir, you are an Internal liar and
swlndler. and can lick you in two
minutes by the clockv
Then he turned away and walked
down the path and down the highway
and took the train for home. Mrs,
Bowser and the eat were on the front
steps to greet him, and as he ascend
ed the steps he was asked;
"Well, what about Turtle vlllar
mo remarks womanr' he replied.
with n glare you can pack your
trunks and be ready to start for your
mothers at o'clock this evening.
You have made a fool Of me for the
last time on this earth" NJ. QUAD.