The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1909-12-24
A QUEER
TRANSACTION
Odd Bargain Driven by Drummer
in Mexico.
~v@+~r+r y - 4 \ z Z

Yes, said the drummer, dleamlly,
81 will take another, and as he said
this he drummed upon the table and
eazed out into the smoke-nlled room
with far.away eyes. 1T was curious
story. said he. 1.-THE way happen
ed to be III Mexico was this: was tray-
cling for the house OF Guggenheimer &
90, who were interested ii California
wines. Guggenheimer has gone under,
am sorry to say. He was forced to
suspend payment when there came
that crash iii 1898. Well, Guggenheim-
er wanted to start branch establish
ment Ia Nogales, right across the
Arizona line. Our firm had told me
60 purchase a cheap building for an
ONCE anywhere In the town. was
young then, hadn't been travelling long,
and my inexperience was enormous.
There were a great many things ! did
not know. When arrived In the
town, was struck by the shabby shan
Ties Of which 1t was composed. A good
wind looked ais II It would blow the
whole town down. However, as was
walking around the place, saw near
the barracks little snanty with a.
roughly serawled sign on 1t In Span
ish which meant: This building to let
0r for sale The architecture Of this
edifice was extremely SIMPLE. In fact,
Ii was nothing but four walls and a
roof. 1 said to myself: This will do
we'll enough for our temporary Office,
and. approaching the building, ! no
ticed that it had a barred window, be-
hind which saw a Head The Head
saw me as soon as saw the Head,
and it smiled a frank and kindly smile.
Then the Head opened its mouth and
cried:
How are youg Better Oft than !
am, III swear
II was struck with the frank smile
lOf the Head, and particularly as IT Of
torded me an opportunity to talk busi-
ness
AS for that, said +, 1t rests en-
tirely with you to change our places
'The Head looked at me without re-
plying.
I have just noticed, said |, that
shis building is to let Or Tor sale
"The Head burst into roar Of
laughter
s Well, sir, said I, somewhat net
Aled. i don't see anything to laugh at.
III this building suits me, | would like
4 % buy It.
You would like to buy it?'
Yes. Is It possible for me to in.
iapect itg
0h. nothing Is sasler. All you
have to do is to push back the bolt and
come IN.
III seemed singular, but the door
WIS fastened by bolt on the outside
u pushed back the bolt and entered
Another thing struck me strangely
the building was remarkable for a com,
plete absence OF furniture but ina
much as all i intended to do with IL
was to use it for storing wine, of
cohrse didn't need any furniture.
THE Head noticed my astonishment,
and said again, with its open smile;
The furniture is being upholstered
Ahs replied, and let me ASK
whether YOU are willing to sell, and If
- whether your price As high?'
on, think not would be will
ing to sell at d reasonable figure.
Y Suppose were 70 give You a.
hundred dollars, would you take it?'
'''The Head again laughed. i should
smile would. CCreo que soi)
The deucer said to myself, per
maps there is something wrong with
This building, and then aloud added
eWill you guarantee that the building
Is solidly constructed?'
Solid? My dear sir, II you had
spent as much time in it as have,
You would never dream Of trying TO
Areak out II mean. to break It down.
Very well, then, | win give you
hundred dollars for It,
sgThe Head regarded me with che
same open smile
Are you III earnest?' said be-
ut was evident that he doubted my
anancial responsibility. SO took
out my purse, and from it extracted
AVE- twanty-dollar pieces. There is
9our hundred dollars said I.
He extended his hand, took the gold