The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1909-01-21

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was disguised but was more dis
appointed. felt that had a right
to expect, If not something better, al
least something more original than
this from Curly. Nevertheless, in pur
suance of his hint, I did watch the
daily papers. Perhaps 1t would be
too much to say, as Curly had predict
ed. that there was "a lot" but there
was certainly good deal about him
and his projects. But l got no en-.
lightenment from that source as to
the real nature of his scheme. There
were items, however, which seemed
not to harmonic with my false pre-.
tence theory. For instance, it was
stated that Mr.. Hermes (Curly twas
greatly annoyed at the premature an
nouncement of his plans" and that
He does not wish to receive sub.
scriptions until he is in position to
give title to the land in exchange"
A few days after the first public an
nouncement of Curly's intention, a
story appeared which, perhaps, ought
to have made the matter clear to me-
1t was to the effect that Wedgewood
objected, objected decidedly to the
idea of socialist settlement in it's
midst The wealthy summer residents
did not care for such neighborhoods,
and. to put it mildly, the natives dread
ed the effect on the value of their real
estate. They were talking of calling
town meeting to take measures for
protection and there was even talk of
repelling the threatened invasion by
violence. The story concluded as fol.
lows:
when seen at his apartments, Mr..
Hermes expressed his regret at the at.
titude taken by the people of Wedge
wood, and said that it could only
arise from misrepresentation of his
real design. He said, however, that it
would make no difference in his plans.
Mr.. Hermes said further that he would
be able to complete his title to the es-
tate much sooner than he had antici-
pated and that probably he would be
in position to receive members
sometime within the next two weeks"
1t must have been month before
l saw Curly again. For the latter half
OF that period there had been no news.
paper mention OF his socialistic expert
ment, and, having been a good deal &C.
cupied with my own affairs, the mat
ter had nearly slipped from my mind.
However, both my interest and curios-
ity were fully aroused as was cross
ing the common one morning by the
sight of the man himself, seated on
the identical bench where we had held
our previous conversation. AS ap-
preached him the thought was upper
most in my mind that he did not look
either like a man who had lost $500
or like one who expected to lose that
sum. He greeted me cordially and al
most Immediately l put the question
that had been in my thoughts.
We'll, how are the socialists com.
ing on?" l asked.
You mean out at Wedgwood?" My
question seemed to surprise him a
little. "Oh! that's all done with"
Wouldn't it work?" I asked.
Work! Work." Curly repeated.
Say, boy, if all my schemes had
worked the way that one did, I'd be
millionaire" He looked at the
ground reflectively. 1T came out just
the way played it, too" he added.
A wave of joy swept over me. Cur
ly was not going to disappoint me,
after all.
Tell me about it." urged.
WELL" Curly replied, slowly, lyon
see, it was this way. I knew that
those society people wouldn't want any
freaky bunch of cranks roosting out in
their part of the country. So did my
best to have the papers set the thing
out big, and went down there myself
and just talked to everybody that
would listen, talked just as crazy as
could, you know
GO on" l said, as he paused.
WELL" he continued, lone day a
lawyer called on me and tried to con.
vince me that didn't want any colony
at Wedgewood, anyway. Said the peo-
pie would make it as hard for me as
they could. He said I'd do better to
so to some other place and lots of
things like that. Well, he convinced
me after while and I let him have
the option" Curly stopped as If the
story was finished.
said nothing for minute. The
whole was clear to me now and my
admiration prevented speech. Then 1
held out my hand.
Shake, Curly" said. Il owe you
an apology, BESIDES" l went on. Il
thought you intended to get 1t out OF
the socialists"
He shook his head. "No," he said,
there's nothing in that end Of 1t. and.
besides, it's risky" His words left no
doubt that he had considered the mat.
ter in all it's bearings.
DO you mind telling how much you
got?" l asked, after a minute.
twenty-five hundred" he answered.
without looking up. 1.-TWO thousand
profit"
laughed. did you have to split
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