The Democratic advocate., 1909-05-07

ure It viii be for the first time. NOW
I've got TO 60 back downtown and see
a lawyer. and then I'll have some rid
ing around the country to do. Oh, but
| won't make old Strong jump before
1 am through with himl''
In planning for the cannery Mr..
Strong bad called upon most Of the
farmers and had informed them POM
pously that thereafter he would buy
their tomatoes at the market price.
He had made no definite agreement
with them. however. for he had de-
termined to pay a mighty low price
when the time came.
Miss Hilda Bascomb saw lawyers
and had contracts drawn up. 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 be put in place. In her walks
about the town the spinster met Mr..
Strong seseraI times face to face.
Every time he scowled and shs chuc-
killed.. There was anxiety at the Ecrib-
ners' to learn what was afoot, but the
only explanation they could get was;
II am simply doing a little fnancier-
ing to help Cupid and the tomato
market along. When It's time to ex-
plode the torpedo you'n ell hear the
racket
She had been In Strongsville almost
a month when tho racket was heard.
The cannery was ready for business,
and the farmers had been notified 70
begin delivery on a certain date The
date came. but there were no tomn.
toes
horse and buggy. He had been back
about half an hour when Miss has.
comb entered Mr.. Stroug's once for
the second time and pumped herself
down In the same chair.
Mr.. Strong was at tho Telephone. He
was using vigorous language and
dancing around.
swell, and how's the tomato mar
ket7" asked the caller az ho giared al
her and rung OF.
cit Ia you-you who have done thil
thing" be exclaimed. "to revenge your
self You'll Your
"Yes. l have cornered every tomato
IN the county. II wasn't Tor revenga
but to give Cupid a chance. How much
win you take for your factory. cash
DOWN. II hasn't any pedigree 10 apeal
Of, but I think Mr.. ScribneF, the car
penter. can give Il one"
II won't sell TO youl Your tomatoes
can rot on your handsF'
"oh. no. they won't Jacobl" ehuckiet
Miss HiIda. II can sell them at a verJ
nice profit But your factory can stanG
Idle while build one OF my ownl Bet
ter talk business, Jacob Strong. Thn
son OF yours Is nice young man. and
think heap Of my niece. It's \ low
match. and Il would be a pity TO 10,
Il broken on. ISn't there some wal
that can turn these tomato contracti
over 10 you and let your factory begif
work. There's money IN the canning
business, and don't want 10 kun Al
industry"
MFR. Strong fought for an hour and
then gave IL and shook handa by thI
time the contracts were assigned Il
him he was smiling. BY the time th'
woman in the rusty old bonnet wal
ready TO TO he was ready 10 remaFi
blandly:
Just 90. Miss Bascomb; Just 90. Mr.
and Mrs. Scribner are most worthy
people. and II Horace IL In love with
their daughter have no objections q
a marriage lie In old enough to judg,
for himself, and Il is not for me TO in
terfere. Good day. ma'am, good day
and thank you ever 10 much for call
ing"