Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-05-15

let you know, Jacob. that have ar
rived In town. Please keep a little
track of me for the next two weeks,
will your
The aunt reached home smiling and
chuckling. She laid hand on Netties
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 I'll have him here begging you 60
marry his son. You tell the young
man TO remain quiet ana do nothing
rash. Hlda Bascomb Is managing this
affair. which will be one of finance
from now on, and If she makes n fail
ure It will be for the first time Now
I've got to go back downtown and see
n lawyer. and then I'll 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 hnd called upon most OF the
farmers and had Informed them POM
pously that thereafter he would buy
their tomatoes ut the market price.
lie had made no definite agreement
with them. however. for he had de-
tcrmined to pay mighty low price
when the time came.
Miss IIildn Bascomb saw lawyers
and had contracts drawn mp. With a
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 cannery was
hurried along and the fixtures ar
rived to he put in place. In her walks
about the town the splnster met Mr.
Strong several times face to face.
Every time he scowled and she chuc-
killed.. There was anxiety Mt the Serib-
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-
plodo the torpedo you'l all hear the
racket"
She had been In Strongsvllle almost
month when the racket was heard.
The cannery was ready for business.
and the farmers had been notified to
begin delivery on certain date. The
date came. but there were no toma-
toes.
A messenger was dispatched with
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 lie
was using vigorous language and
dancing around.
"Well, and how's the tomato mar
ket:' asked the caller rs he glared at
her and rung of.
sit is you-you who have done this
thing" he exclaimed. ito revenge your
self! You. Your
Yes. | have cornered every tomato
I'm the county. II wasn't for revenge.
but to give Cupid Il chance. How much
will you take for your factory, cash
down? 1t hasn't any pedigree TO speak
of, but | think Mr.. Serihuer the car
penter. can give 1t one"
81 won't sell to you. Your tomatoes
can rot on your hands"'
"Oh, no, they won't. jacob" chuekled
Miss iiilda. Il can sell them at very
nice profit. But your factory can stand
Idle Willie build oac &c ny owni Rot
ter talk business. jacob Strong. That
son of yours is nice young man, and
think heap OF my niece. It's love
match. and 1t would be a pity to see
It broken of. Isn't there some way
that can turn these tomato contracts
over to you and let your factory begin
work? There's money in the canning
business, and / don't want TO kin an
industry"
Mr.. Strong fought for an hour and
then gave In and shook hands by the
time the contracts were assigned 10
him he was smiling. by the time the
woman in the rusty old bonnet was
ready to go he was ready to remark
blandly:
"Just so. Miss Bascomb; just so. Mr..
and Mrs. Scribner are most worthy
people, and If Horace IS In love with
their daughter | have no objections to
n marriage. He is old enough 10 Judge
for himself, and II Is not for me 20 In
terferc. Good day. ma'am. good day.
and thank you ever so much for call.
Ing"