The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-03-19

- HE agent came first, and the agent was
a shortsighted His instructions were 10 get
W options on tho greater part OF the town
ship, that Mrs. Peter Tomlins might realize
tho dream OF her life and the very first
much Of bargain Any ono who knew how closely
Peter Tomlins figured in all business matters would
not have considered this drawback, but it proved
TO be unfortunate, to say the least
The agent Alva Crosby first. lie knew that
Alva Crosby was an old man, failing mentally so
that seemed an easy place to begin. 1t was no
rdiculously low figure; the agent aftcrward said
that It was shame to do it, but that he working
for Peter Tomlns, and he knew how much Peter
Tomlins thought OF bargain. This therefore,
seemed like an auSpcious beginning. He had TO
work with options for Peter Tomns did not wish
to begin buying until he was reasonably that he
could get all that he wished without being held up.
Peter could afford to pay any old price to crafty
any old whm, but there was much less qualification
when the cost went the market price Besides,
this was his wifc's whm.
SO the Crosby bargain looked particularly good to
the agent and he took advantage OF the old in
really shameful way, He went far Is 10
secure from him pledge OF secrecy, which made
did not understand that this pledge Of secrecy put
his daughter without the pale of knowledge and he
told her: She studied the purposcy complicated
terms of the option with great care. in the end
reaching the conclusion that her father had agreed
TO sell the farm for good deal less than its value
good deal less, indeed, than he supposed for
the price was concealed in a method OF valuation
that was deceptive. Thereupon she questioned him.
and was able to see the significance Of some things
the agent had said
She was distressed and angry; the agent had per
petrated dcspic7blc swindlc; therefore il it lay in
her power. the agent should suffer. The easiest and
quickest way TO make the agent suffer was to block
his other deals. She not absolutely certain that
there were to be any other deals, but things
he had said led TO the inference that he after
moro than farm.
The rural telephone line was great convenience
in tins emergency. Charlotte Crosby-generay
known Lottc-promptly got III communication
with the Goodwns Some had been making
inquiries about the Goodwin farm, the Goodwins
I..-
was trying to buy up everything In sight
i don't know just what the scheme is said Lottie
S[tosbY but it is a big ono and very important
There is 80 doubt that you get your price
for your land II you have the nerve TO hold out for
The price OF the Goodwin farm went UP ono hun
drcd per cent Immediately. So did the prices of the
Raster and the CAM properties soon Lottie
had tclcphoned TO them; Then the news spread to
others and everything in the neighborhood scared
The agent discovered that his first bargain his
only bargain; after that he ran up against stone
wall OF prices that would have given Peter Tomlns
an 2poplccuc ht So the agent went home
Let the thing rest while" he advised "Wc
can pick up the land quietly after they've got tired
waiting for the big price"
But don't want to let it rest a while" growled
Peter Tomns "and, what's to the point Mrs
TominS doesn't want TO let 1t rest while. It's her
pet scheme.
Mr. Tomlins liked to feel that his wealth enabled
him TO do what he pleased when he pleased but it
was Mrs. TominS who most impatient Mr.
Tomlns would not let impatcncc, especially his
wifcs impatence, lure him to foolish extravaganza
but Mrs. 1omlInS wanted her dream OF magnificent
country place realized at the earliest possible
moment She was already planning a splendid
palace and magnificent drives and private golf links
and vineyards and orchards. She was that the
realization OF her dream worth all that 1t could
possibly cost, but she could not convince her hus-
band that it was worth deviation from strict bus
principles in the matter of purchase
So Mrs. Tomlins, in her anxicty followed the
agent into the district. and, like the agent she went
10 the Crosby place first. She saw Lottc Crosby,
which unfortunate for her Lottie was girl
OF spirit, and Mrs. Tomlns not the kind of
TO make tho most favorable impression upon
her for Mrs. Tomlins was disposed TO be haughtily
patronIzng.
q have heard said Mrs Tomlins. @hat you
betrayed the secret of our negotiations TO tho neigh
81 didn't know whose negotiations they werc'
returned Louic. but | told the neghbors somebody
was after all the land here, and that he probably
ueedcd it badly enough to pay big prices
1T was very wrong" commented Mrs; Tomlins.
oh it was :" rctortcd Lottc bclligcrcntly
"Of course" said Mrs Tomlins concilatorily, you
can hardly be expected understand the finer
points of honor and am quite ready to eonccdc
that you acted ignorantly rather than m7liciously;
aoh. it was" said Lotic again, We'll how about
swiTdling dad1 Was h that M all right ,,;, ;,du.,,
mo ono has swindlcd your father. In the ordinary
course OF business, as Mr. Tomlins would say. our
agent secured option from him on his farm. but
oh yesl' exclaimed tho girl indignantly. "it's all
right to confuse and dcude an old mau-to take ad-
vantage OF his infrmes-but IFS very wrong to inter
fcrc with rich mans bargains"
You surprise me-" said Mrs Tomins, 81 supposed
you would that you had put your father in the posi-
ton OF being guilty of bad faith when explained the
matter you. and would be willing 10 undo the harm
you have done If YOU would notify these people that
you mistaken
II WON'T"
Il was about TO explain Mrs TomIins went or
scrcncly that we intcud have large and magnih
cent place here. and have doubt that you woulo
make splendid ladys maid. | shall look out for yor
personally and the opportunity is that you car
hardly afford to throw away
The girl was spccchless with indignation, but Mrs
Tomins thought she overwhelmed by the glorious
possibilities OF the proposition which she calmly con
tinucd TO explain al some length lady's maid woul'
see much of the world and might even hope to DC 'ake
. Ff,-ope.
And" she concluded. "as sort Of retainer as m!
b,sb,nJ s,ys ri oar, ,ou hundred dollars now
The girls voice and wits came back TO her one 'o'
and opened the door to the hall