Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-06-17

let you know, Jacob, that / have ar.
rived in town. Please keep a little
track of me for the next two weeks.
will you?"
The aunt reached home smiling and
chnckling. She laid hand on Nettie's
head and said soothingly:
Il talked up to old Strong today. It
was right that should. But / haven't
spoiled anything. Give me two weeks
and I'll have him here begging you to
marry his son. You tell the young
man to remain quiet and do nothing
rash. Hilda Bascomb is managing this
affair, which will be one of finance
from now on, and if she makes fail
ure it will be for the first time. Now
I've got to go back downtown and see
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 had 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 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..
StrongSseveral times face to face.
Every time he scowled and she chuc-
kled. There was anxiety at the Scrib-
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 Strongsville almost
a 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. He
was using vigorous language and
dancing around.
s'Well, and how's the tomato mar
ket?" asked the caller as he glared at
her and rung off.
"It is you-you who have done this
thing" he exclaimed, ito revenge your
self! You! Your
"Yes, | have cornered every tomato
In the county. 1t wasn't for revenge,
but to give Cupid a chance. How much
will you take for your factory, cash
down? 1t hasn't any pedigree to speak
of. but think Mr.. Scribner, the car
penter. can give it one"
Il won't sell to you! Your tomatoes
can rot on your hands!"
"Oh, no, they won't, jacob" chuckled
Miss Hilda. II can sell them at very
nice profit. But your factory can stand
idle while build one Of my own! Bet
ter talk business, Jacob Strong. That
son of yours is nice young man, and
think heap of my niece. It's love
match, and it would be a pity to see
1t broken off. Isn't there some way
that l 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 kill an
industry"
Mr.. Strong fought for an hour and
then gave in and shook hands. By the
time the contracts were assigned to
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
a marriage He is old enough to Judge
for himself. and it is not for me to In
terfere. Good day, ma'am, good day,
and thank you ever SO much for call
ing"