The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-06-03

let you know. Jacob. that l have ar.
rived in town. Please keep little
track of me for the next two weeks
will you?'
The aunt reached home smiling and
chuckling. She laid Il hand on Netlie's
head and said soothingly:
II talked up to old Strong today. II
was right that should. But haven't
spoiled anything. Give me two weeks
and III have him here begging you to
marry mis- SON. You tell the young
man to remain quiet and do nothing
rash. uilda Bascomb Is managing this
affair. which will be one Of finance
from now on, and if she makes fail,
ure it vii! be for the first time. Now
I've got to go back downtown and see
a lawyer. and then LII have some rid
ing around the country to do. Oh. but
won't make old Strong jump before
| am through with him!"
In planning for the cannery Mr..
Strong had called upon most of the
farmers and had Informed them pom.
pously that thereafter he would buy
their tomatoe at the market price.
He had made no definite agreement
with them, however. for he had de-
termined to pay mighty low price
when the time came.
Miss Hilda Bascomb saw lawyers
I, p,Ic- RI 1rn
boy to drive her, she covered most of
the county the week after the inter
view with the magnate. Contracts
were signed right and left. and some
thing was added for secrecy among
the signerS.
Meanwhile the tomato canncry was
hurried along. and the fixtures ar
rived to be put in place. In her walks
about the town the spinster met Mr.
Strong several times face to face.
Every time he scowlcd and she chuc-
kled. There was anxiety at the Serb
ners' to learn what was afoot. but the
only explanation they could get was:
81 am simply doing little financier-
ing to help Cupid and the tomato
market along. When it's time to ex-
plode the torpedo you'll all hear the
racket"
She had been in StronSsvile almost
a month when the racket was heard.
The cannery was ready for business,
and the farmers had been notified to
begin delivery on Il certain date. The
date came. but there were no toma.
toes.
A messenger was dispatched with q
horse and buggy He had been back
about half an hour when Miss BaS-
comb entered Mr.. Strong's office for
the second time and pumped herself
down in the same chair.
Mr.. Strong was at the telephone. He
was using vigorous language and
dancing around.
well. and bows the tomato mar
ket?" asked the caller as he glared al
her and rung or.
ut is you-you who have done this
thing" he exclaimed, ITO revenge your
self! You! YOU"
"Yes. have cornered every tomato
in the county. 1t wasn't for revenge
but to give Cupid chance. How muct
will you take for your factory, cast
down? 1t hasn't any pedigree to speaE
Of, but think Mr.. Scrlbner, the car
penter. can give it one"
II won't sell to you! Your tomatoe:
can rot or your hands,"
"Oh, no. they won't. Jacob chucklec
Miss Hilda. IL can sell them ut a very
nice profit. But your factory can stanl
idle while build one of my own. Bet
ter talk business. Jacob Strong. Tha
SOD of yours is Il nice young man. anC
l think heap Of my niece. It's love
match, and it would be a pity to see
It. broken off. Isn't there some way
that can turn these tomato contract:
over to you and let your factory begir
work? There's money in the canning
business, ami l don't want to kill al
industry"
Mr.. Strong fought for an hour anC
then gave in and shook hands. BY the
time the contracts were assigned tt
him he was smiling. BY the time thu
woman in the rusty old bonnet wa:
ready to go he was ready to renarl
bandly:
Just so. Miss Bascomb; just so. Mr.
and Mrs. Scribncr are most worthy
people and if Horace IS In love will
their daughter have no objections t
marriage. He is old enough to judge
for himself and 1t is not for me to in
terferc. Good day. ma'am, good day
and thank you ever so much for call
ing"