The diamond drill., 1908-12-12
TOO MANY.

England township there lived a man
hose na NE WAS Lemuel Prouty He
vas real estate agent aud had ION
enjoyed 8 ponopoly of the business ~
that village
Al intervals when newcomer huns
eut bic "sbingle" bearing the lnscrlp
don "Soand so. Resi Estate. old
Lem Prouty. as be WAS commonly
called. would exert hk energies to
drI.e s.s. 8st :. ses.gs-s .sa |.
NariHbly Ia the course of fen months
he succeeded 80 sbrevd vas this
Netersn trader sud sucb hold did he
yeSrs only two sales had been made
by rival agents. and In each instance
they hsd been compelled to buy the
old man on io prevent his upsetiing
the trade
One day AK old Lem sat 10 The open
doorway OF Tom Connor's stable lac
remarked:
The man who gets ahead of me.
Tom. must rise up early In the morn.
Ing and SIT up late o. nights-In fact.
he must stay mp most all the time"
Tom laughed and replied. II guess
that's about right. Lem"
AT this point Bin Gardner, the portly
constable. who was sitting on bar
rel enjoying an after dinner cigar,
piped out. what Lem Prouty don't
know about sellin' horses amt worth
KNOWN, and I'll bet $40 to 81 on him
any day"
Some days later. as old Lem sat In
the stable doorway smoking and chat
ting with party OF acquaintances.
his eye rested on new sign IN bold
characters which read. Andrew Gray.
Real Estate"
Aha" exclaimed the old trader
who Is this? Wen have TO look into
the matter and give him his pass
ports"
Shortly afterward the Office door
opened and young man stepped out.
He was tall and slightly round shout
dered. with red curly hair and the
foundation OF a sandy beard. while
his clothes were worn and somewhat
seedy. He presented the appearance
OF young man from the country.
- verdant hayseedw exclaimed the
old trader. That's easy game enough" :"
lie spoke SO loudly that the young man
cast a sharp glance at him as he pass
ed down the street.
Immediately old Lem started IN pur-
suit. and. by keeping at safe dis
tance and lnqulring Of neighbors and
acqualntances with whom he saw the
young man talking, he managed 10
learn that his young rival had effected
n sale and that the papers were 20 be
drawn up on the morrow.
That evening the veteran trader call
cd upon Mr.. Andrew Gray at his OF
flee.
MIR Lemuel prouty, sir" said that
worthy gentleman. seating himself in
a chair, with some emphasis.
Good evening sir" said the young
man. with glance that seemed 10 say.
II have seen YOU before and don't en-.
tertaih very good impression OF you I"
We'll, sir" began old Lem. II s'pose
you know who | am. For twenty ave
years I've handled all the property
that's been sold around here. and
whenever I've had competitor I've
squelched him, Now, | understand,
sir, that you've made sale. aud just
dropped around to say that the man
you've traded with Is an old friend Of
mine and hat | have place which
| know he would like great deal bet
ter. Unless you are willing TO make Il
right with me shall see him at once"
''Sr," replied Mr.. Gray rather sharp.
~. "the trade Is all made. aud he has
agreed 10 take the place"
Agreed Numbered old Lem.
whats that amount to? l know the
man better than you do, and when
can give him better place and save
him money, too, he won't bee fool
enough to take yours"
A look or deep concern overspread
the face of Andrew Gray, and for some
time he was lost IN thought. Finally
he looked up aud inquired
III | give You half my commission
VIII you be satisfied p
Yes, perfectly" replied old Lem, his
face beamlng with triumph.
Agreed. said Mr.. Gray. IL Will
give you one-half OF what get for
selling the place. The papers VIII be
passed at noon tomorrow. Good even
Ing. sir." he added abruptly.
Good evening" returned old Lem
as he sauntered slowly out OF the Office.
"The easiest one yet" he chuckled as
he latched the door.
On the following day Lemuel Prouty
put In his appearance several minutes
before the appointed time The stable
keeper and the fat policeman had also
come over ut old LENS request 10 see
how easy he could turn $50" Others
OF the party were the landlord. the GUS
toner, the justice OF the peace and the
young agent.
The papers having been duly drawn
up. signed aud sworn 10. the former
landlord turned 10 Mr.. Gray and In