Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1908-01-30

| PRESENTLY Ballard continued, as
contentedly and quietly to himself
erous amount Of tobacco juice at
the stove:
"What I've said to you never
has and never will escape the lips
Of Dick Ballard, Mr.. Winthrop.
No, sir; I'm your friend, but
don't try to work me with any
town lots payin' board bills"
Winthrop was decidedly non
plussed. McCaffery was laughing
at Wonthrop's discomfeiture. Bal
lard looked on and chuckled, as
much as to say, "I'm heap
smarter than you fellers give me
credit for being" He finally
broke the silence by suddenly ask
ing: "Mr. Winthrop, what is your
lot next to the hotel worthY"
Give hundred dollars" replied
Winthrop, looking up.
81 hope you'll get. it," said
Ballard. eyes, 1 hope you'll sell
it for a thousand, but I'll tell you
something he said, shutting one
oye and looking hard at Winthrop
with the other, 81 wouldn't trade
you our militia company's new
snare drum for both of them blank
ed lots; no, sir! I'd rather be a
drummer boy in our militia COM
pany than be the entire Waterville
Town Company" AS he turned
laughingly towards the door he
came face to face with Miss Virgin
ia billiard.
She looked as fresh as prairie
tlower-a white flower with dash
Of color in it. Ballard lifted his
hat and bowed low, for he not only
liked the young lady, but she was
one Of his boarders who paid very
promptly.
Virginia and Ruth Hillierd were
different, yet there was a strong
resemblance in character. Both
wore becomingly the garment of
modesty. 1t was part Of them
One appreciated it for its conceal.
ment, the other for its protection
it was different points of view.
After speaking pleasantly to Nc
Caffrey and Winthrop, Virginia
turned to Ballard and said;
"I'm very glad you are here,
Mr.. Ballard, I want to ask your
advice"
Dick was all attention, for if
there was one thing he liked to do
better than Notwithstanding
drill exercise with his beloved state
militia-it was to give advice, es-
pecially to a pretty woman. Will
bur Winthrop pushed forward the
best chair in the office and invited
Miss billiard to be seated.
"Thank you," she said, smiling
kindly at Winthrop, who looked
as delighted as he felt. II wish to
talk to you about an investment in
| Waterville."
"What kind of an investments"
asked Dick.
SIN regard to making a pur-
chase Of town lots.''
Ballard coughed immoderately
cleared his throat "a-hemmed'
several times, got red in the face
looked helplessly at McCaffrey, put
his handkerchief up to his lip, and
finally said:
| "Nothin' like it in the world
Miss billiard; best investment OF
earth. There's not another place
in the United States that will come
out Of the kinks like Waterville
No, sir; if I had a million I'd plan
every dollar of it in Waterville
yes, sir; every dollar"
, "My landl" he said, glancinl
at his watch, cit is 8 o'clock.
!, must be going"
With this he took up his hal
: bowed awkwardly and left the roor
r hurriedly.
els this a map Of the town.
; asked Miss billiard, rising and az
preaching a map that hung on tn
] wall near where Bernard McCai
2 frey was seated.
Eyes, that's one Of the bes
e maps that has ever been gotte
out, said cCaffrey. adjusting b
0 gpld-rimmed spectacles.
"And where is Eagles add
&sovs -,