The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1908-06-11
CHAPTER, XIV

CHAPTER XIV.
M the suspicious adventurer the
! first action of his host was
| most peculiar, for without ex-
| PLANTATION he closed and care
fully locked the door. Richards an.
prehenslons" were relieved, however,
when Mr.. Renwyck produced a de-
canter and cigars, lighted his own per-
fecto and then lay back in his deep
leather chair and laughed till the tears
ran down his face. The mystifed Tex
an smoked on in polite silence, pa
tiently waiting for some explanation
of the old mans humor. He could
wait quietly, since it was evident from
Mr.. Renwyck's exuberant joy that
Richard had nothing personally to fear
that his secret was still his own.
After time his host wiped his eyes
with his handkerchief and apologized
| for his merriment.
"Forgive me, Lord Croyland," he
begged; "but, to tell you the truth, I
just can't help it.. Affairs in Tex
as are not only drifting my way, but
the Whole situation has become intense
~ humorous. Why, it Is a regular
play. Old Bill Williams represents
tragedy, my company will shortly sup
ply melodrama, while third corpora
ton has appeared on the stage and is
furnishing both sides with comedy.
Let me explain"
do so, l beg you," murmured Rich
ard, striving not to look as uncom-
Portable as he always felt when this
Texas business came up. The fnan-
c1er laughed again and proceeded:
"As I told you before, Bill Williams
company is working for a deep water
harbor at Matagorda City, while my
company is equally anxious to operate
at Longmatt. Very we'll Now, listen.
learned today that a new corpora
ton was organized last month under
the laws of the state Of New Jersey
which styles itself the Peace and Good
VIII Realty company. Think of it:
The very name will kill it in it's teeth
ing STAGE
"Who are back of this corporation ~
| asked Richard, greatly interested in
| this new development.
II don't know. They are probably
so ashamed of themselves that their
names are kept secret" laughed Mr..
Renwyck.
But 1 thought the incorporators"-
dummies, like my own company,
only in this case all Of them are real
dummies in fact as we'll as in theory.'
IT see."
ut develops that the promoters of
this company, whoever they may be,
have gone down to Texas and invested
their capital in the states largest and
most generous product"
"And what is that?'' asked Richard
| In some surprise.
"Hot air." returned Mr.. Renwyck in
paroxysm of mirth. tits cheap, but
| they seem to want it,"
II don't quite understand"
II will enlighten you They have a
ministerial looking representative of
the name Of Fishcall, whose innocence
can only be described sas infantile.
This precious old lamb called upon q
firm Of prom oters, Hill g. Eaton, who
in strict confidence-happen to be my
agents, and asked their advice with re.
gard to location for a deep water
harbor on the Texas gulf coast they
intend to construct with the assistance
Of a hoped for legislative appropria-
don." Once more Mr.. Renwyck was
so overcome by amusement that he
was forced to pause in his. story. "Now,
my company-1 myself, you under
stand?" he began at length.
| "Of course" said Richard, bowling.
-"has been saddled for long time
with an utterly worthless tract Of land
along the gulf-a miserable, sun baked
little hole rejoicing in the name of
Olivia, which lies midway between
Matagorda City and Longmatt, by the
way Through Hill & Eaton we ad.
vised Brother Fishcall to buy this
tract, which-bless my soul-he Gid at
once and at our own price" .,s
The amused Spectator glanced at
Richard and, mistaking his gloom for
phlegmatic British lack of humor,
went on:
1T seems also that thereafter the
Peace and Good Will Realty com.
pany went to Bill Williams and asked
his advice. The old skinfint also own
ed lot Of land around Olivia, which
he promptly worked off on his confid.
ing benefactors. Now, look here, Croy.
land, you don't seem to appreciate the
Joke"
"But, my dear SIR" began Richard
forgetting his role for a moment
'Olivia isn't such bad-er-I mean
-er"-
|. "'Such bad sale for me, eh?'' laugh.
ed Mr.. Renwyck, unconsciously help,