The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-04
Copyright, 1910. by Associated
Literary Press,


Literary Press.)
Miss Ingle ceased clicking the
typewriter for moment and straight
eHed In her chair to rest the muscles
of her shoulders. The work OF the
Midland Coal and Mineral Land Com
pany was very heavy for one stenog-
rapher. The grind grew more weart-
some and nerve-wracking every day.
But she was alone In the city, and
this was the only employment she
was fitted for. And she must have
bread and fire.
What did Jackson say about that
land in Glade county," asked the
junior partner, looking UP from a let
ter. Jackson was the company's coal
expert.
Said It was one of the finest out
looks he ever saw" replied Biker. the
senior partner. Worth at least a
hundred and fifty an acre"
What Is 1t worth for farming pur-
poses?"
"oh. not much. 1t is poor, very
poor, say twenty or twenty-five an
acre"
About what shall we offer the
young hayseed 2"
Start him at thirty" replied Biker,
and turned to other WORK.
The junior brought the letter TO the
l-stenegfapheF- d nd began to diotate:----.
Mr.. Willard Ferris. Gladeville, Mo-,
r. #. ID. No. 4:
Dear Sir. Our expert reports your
land absolutely worthless as a min
ing proposition. There is some coal,
but owing to the formation. location.
etc. 1t will be impossible ever 10 mine
II at profit. We can, perhaps. ham
die your farm on our exchange list
as agricultural land, and as sucn
f.~
Very truly.
1.-THE Midland Coal & Min. l.. CO..
All the morning Miss Ingie kept
thinking of the young farmer. VIZ
lard Ferris, He was still in her mino
when she started to luncheon. The
rascals." she said Indignantly, under
her breath. And over and over. Il do
hope he won't take it."
No one In the Office had ever seen
Ferris. but she had been interested
I In him from his very first letter abous
the land All the correspondence
passed through her hands. She open
ed all letters addressed to the com
pany.
The first letter from Ferris had
been a jubilant announcement of the
discovery of coal ON his land. In
! that frank way which people unused
| to the ways of the world have oil
/
| he told how long he had been hoping
to find something under his farm, as
| no never could get 1t to grow much
| on top.
| There had been some correspond
| ence, and In each letter young Ferris
naively revealed something of his
heFne, his family. himself. Biker and
I the tanier made much sport over
/ these personal things in his letter. but
they we're not funny to Miss fngle
She saw instead frank, generous
young man struggling against odds to
make n living on the poor soil for his
| orphaned younger brothers and sfs-
! tiers. She could even see the weather
beaten, implanted farm house and the
/ bleak. unproductive fields. She saw
the great tumult of excitement in the
little family when coal was found;
saw the flame of hope leap up In the
young mans faee-and now he was
to be cheated out of 1t. ~
/ The reply came on Friday. The
stenographer's hands tremhled as she
opened 1t. She was glad no one else
was In the office. That letter said In
part:
IT was powerfully disappointed by
your letter. l had hoped--but j guess
a fellow is always hoping things that
won't happen. / don't care much for
myself. but l was real anxious to send
all the kids-~there are four besides
me--~away to school. guess IL that
| Is the best you can do. III have to
take II. / owe twenty dollars an acre
on IL. and can't never make II farm
ling It. Yours respt-,
willard Ferris"
Miss fngie guiped down lump In
q - - n
| kerchief Just as Biker came in.
mfr. Biker." she said. II want "a
resign this morning"
Stenographers were easy to get. and