The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1909-05-13
A Child of Nature.

"There's a man in the front office
looking for some property in Boonton
county. Perhaps we can sell him the
Gardner tract. You go in and talk 1t
up at what you think you might get
out of him, then call me and ask what
| think about selling at the price you
give. I'll ask IL you're crazy to part
with such a property at the figure, and
well have a sham battle over 1t. I'll
go out mad, and you sell the property
because you're mad too. SeeT'
"Good scheme Well try it on"
Dobson of Dobson & Cram went into
the front office, where he found a
young man who in his innocence adj
mitted that his father had recently
died and left him $4,000 and a small
farm. His purpose was to sell the
farm and buy a larger tract some
where which was liable to improve in
value.
owe got just the thing you want"
said Dobson, taking out q beautifully
drawn map. There's 800 acres of it,
which we can sell you at 500 an acre.
This will leave you a couple of thou
sand for Improvements besides your
farm. There's only one trouble about
my selling 1t to you. Ny partner is
dead set upon our taking it ourselves.
I would be in favor of it, too, but
we've got so much now we can't pay
the taxes"
The young farmer studied the map
| deliberately and after he had finished
said he would go and look at the prop
erty. Dobson touched a bell. An office
boy entered and was directed to call
Mr.. Cram. The junior partner came
In and was informed by Mr.. Dobson
that he had offered the farmer the
Gardner tract at 500 an acre, where
upon a violent quarrel ensued, at the
! end of which Mr.. Cram left the room
in a huff. threatening to enjoln his
| partner from making the sale Dobson
was so angry that he vowed the trade
should be made before Cram had a
chance to interfere.
The young man took the hook and
paid two ten-dollar bills to bind the
bargain. Before he left the office he
had drawn a check on his bank for
| $4,000 and had a deed for 800 acres
| of swamp and hill land, the latter COW
cred with second growth of worth
less timber.
"Goodby, Mr. Dobson," he said at
parting 81 shan't forget your effort in
my behalf, and l hope it won't get
you into trouble with Mr.. Cram"
He had no sooner gone than the two
partners were congratulating each 9TH
, err on the sale.
"Shake, old. man." said Dobson.
'You played your part beautifully"
But you landed him. He's as inno-
cent as Kitten
Two years passed during which nei-
Their Dobson nor Cram heard anything
! Of the Gardner tract or its purchaser.
when one day Cram said to Dobson:
''The young man we scooped with that
| swamp and timber land in Boonton
county is in the other room and wants
to see you. Look out for him. Some
one may have put him up to getting
even. The law can't touch us, but he
may have some game to play"
Trust me for games"
| Dobson went in where the young
man was waiting, with outstretched
hand and eyes beaming with kindli-
ness.
"Mr. Dobson," said the youngster.
chat property has turned out better
than was expected. There's coal on
! It."
Good" exclaimed Dobson, slapping
| the boy on the back. Inwardly he said,
/ "Why didn't you say gold or dia-
| monds?"
Eyes; they say it's the finest anthra-
cite in the state"
Splendid" Another slap on the
back.
"I'm indebted for my good luck to
| you. Do you remember how you sold
me the property before your partner
could interfere?"
Eyes; I remember that"
"Well, one good turn deserves an
other. I've got an offer of $3.50 1000
| for the property from a coal company.
l feel that shouldn't keep all this
! good luck to myself, seeing that you
were so kind to me. I'll divide. I'll
sell to you for half, $125, 200. and turn
you over the coal company's written
offer. good FOR thirty days"
"My dear fellow" said Dobson, striv-
| ing to maintain a countenance that
would hot betray his seeing through
the stupendous game, you are the
very soul of honor. III speak to Cram
about it."
Going to Grams Office. he shut the
/ door and as soon as he could control
his laughter told him how the young
! farmer was trying to pay them in their
own coin. After a pretended consulta-
ton he returned to the boy and said:
THAT partner of mine will be my
ruin. Do you know, he's so mad about
my selling the property to you that he
won't consent to my having anything
to do with the matter. and our part
nershlp forbids any purchase unless
both consent I'm awfully sorry.