Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-09-29
CHAPTER XvI.-(Continued.)


pany. We've decided not to confine our
selves to our fiat scheme alone. We're
going to handle big real estate schemes
wherever we see anything good enough
and big enough to make it worth while.
That wasn't our intention at first, but
I've persuaded our people to see 1t that
way All the big fortunes in this coun-
try have been made in real estate, and
the possibilities haven't been exhaust
ed yet If we can hit fair price, well
take your lots and work them of In
our own way; but 1 shouldn't bother
with the thing at all if it weren't that
hope to get that creek strip from you.
who are in your company" asked
the old man. His need for cash was
great but he tried to conceal his anx-
iety, and he was really curious to know
who were behind Balcomb.
The promoter reeled off a long list
Of names, most of them unknown to
Dameron. but Balcomb's ready explain
alton impaired stability 10 all of them.
There were half dozen country bank
ers and a number of men who were or
had been State officers.
You seem to have drawn largely on
the country" remarked the old man,
dryly.
You are quite right, I did. It's
easier. There's lots of money in these
country banks that's crying for invest
ment. l know a lot of business houses
right here in our jobbing district that
go to the country for their loans. These
old Mariona bankers have never got
over the panic of '73. Every time they
lya Jyo
man whose credit is Al doesn't like 70
have to go over his past and the his
tory of his wife's relations even unto
the third and fourth generation every
time he borrows a few thousand dol
lars. Not much!"
Cameron laughed. a little uneasily,
but he laughed. Two years before he
would have shuddered at such heresy
Well" said Balcomb, rising. you
think over the matter and let me know |
whether you care to sell. I'll give you |
one thousand dollars for an option on |
the creek strip at sixty thousand. I'll |
see you in few days"
NO, Mo-" The old mans voice
rose querulously. Delays were dan
gerous. If Balcomb could do it he must
effect the sale at once.
THE figure l named yesterday" be-
gan Dameron.
lis out of the question" said Bal
comb, with f1nality.
Then nine hundred dollars apiece
for the block of lots"
Perfectly absurd" And Balcomb
turned toward the door.
The old man rose and rested against
his desk heavily. His bent figure was
wholly pitiful; the claw-like fingers on
which he leaned trembled so that his
thin, worn body shook
Suppose you name a figure, Mr.. Bal
comb" he said with a pathetic attempt
at jauntiness.
'T am authorized to close at twenty
thousand cash; and my commission
comes out of that Well say fifteen
hundred commission. But l am not
anxious to buy at that price-it's quite
immaterial to me. What l want is the
option"
81 have better use for the money;
yes. l can use 1t to advantage" said
Dameron, as though he were pondering
the matter gravely and seeking to jus
tify himself.
I'm other real estate, by the terms of
the trust" he said, smiling in an in
way.
"Yes; yes, of course" said Dameron'
hastily.
And there's the order of court"
ITO be sure-there's an order of
court required by the terms Of the
trust / suppose you wouldn't mind
waiting little for that The trust ex-
plres in a few weeks-I prefer to go to
the Judge with the whole settlement at
once"
But you prefer not to go to the
fudge to ask his approval of this par
ticular deed. All right. The abstract
needn't show these requirements-our
attorney will not be particular. I'll fix
that for you"
Yes, you can arrange that, I sup
pose" said the old man. weakly. He
was trembling now, visibly, and his
voice shook.
THAT will be worth five hundred
more-as special commission and guar
anty that you won't forget the courts
approval" said Balcomb. coolly.
mo, oh, no." walled the old man.
I'm giving it away. You are taking
unfair advantage. I am not WE'LL
am not quite myself to-day"
He sank into his chair, breathing
hard. but he recovered instantly and
smiled at Balcomb with an effort
ePm not a man to back out when /
have pledged my word" he said, grand
lv. "A trades a trade" And Balcomb
grinned.
Now. one other thing, Mr.. Damer-
on. III be square with you and tell
the truth. I've got to have the option
on the creek strip. My people are not
a bit crazy to buy lots like these, but
our apartment scheme is a big thing,
and to get your strip Of ground out
there on the creek bank we're willing
20 buy these lots Of yours-tust, as the
fellow said. to show there's no hard
feeling"
eat seventy-five thousand for ths
creek strip. Not a cent less It's q
part Of the trust. It's my daughters.
I shall not give II away. There are
only a few weeks more IN which shall
have any right 70 seII-and-and
have had another offer." he ended.
weakly.
Quite likely; but II isn't so easy 10
get so much cash on short notice. And
there's the difficulty OF finding other
real estate TO reinvest the money in.
and the order Of court and all that"
Balcomb stroked his beard and eyed
hfa prey. He dropped the suREegtion