St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-09-24

check-book and wrote in the amount,
signed my name and gave it to him.
He rang the call bell and as the
first boy approached said:
Here, take this to the bank and
see if it is any good"
l walked away and several in the
crowd that had been drawn together
by the sound of our voices Uttered.
He had drawn first blood.
Perhaps Frankfort would keep me
interested after all. liked the pros
pect better. One thing was certain,
George Graham and would be better
acquainted before long
When 1 lay down that night it was
not to sleep, but to think out plans
for the future.
The next morning / started out on
my plan of campaign. I selected the
corner from the Elks that conceived
to be most desirable and got options
from as many of the owners as l
thought would be necessary to build
hotel the size I wanted.
Next l went to the tenants and got
from them options on their leases.
accomplished all this within one
week, and so little was l known and
respected that I succeeded in getting
both the land and the leases at very
reasonable rates.
Those who knew me concluded !
had a little money that / wanted to
spend in making show, and figured
the option money would be little
easy, extra change.
The following day when took up
the options and insisted upon deeds
and terms Of facation being complied
with. there were mingled feelings of
Joy, CONSERVATION and wonderment on
all sides. l was at once the sensa-
ton of the town.
No one knew what use was going
to make of the buildings or ground
though had an idea that George
Graham had a secret fear of what was
going to happen. He was respectful
enough now, to my face, but from all
l could hear he was as venomous as
| snake behind my back.
The second day after my purchases
the principal architect from near
by city arrived, and we spent the rest
| Of the week on the plans. My direc
lions were very simple; build hotel
three times the size of the Elks, and
| without any restrictions whatever
make it the finest that money car
buy.
The man thought I was simple, but
he charitably named the venture Civic
| Pride, and we let it go at that.
| / demanded the erection of this no
tel in an incredibly short time, ant
as money can accomplish much IL
Frankford as wen as elsewhere, I haG
the old buildings RACED and work be
gun on the new almost before the citi
zens realized what we were doing.
AS the new building went up, al
most as if by magic, realized wha
| fame meant. With my rise came thu
fall of George Graham That he fel
1t keenly could see. / could furthel
see that there was yet one good figh
left In him, and he would make 1t.
When my hotel was finished and ,
good landlord installed. his was prac
tically a deserted inn.
On the occasion Of the opening o
the frankfort" gave reception
and ball. Among the guests was {
young lady by the name Of Dell'
Cole. I knew the minute that l say
her that l simply must have her 70
my wife. She was at once the mos
beautiful and attractive woman tina
had ever seen. She moved like
queen among the guests, and like
queen she accepted my homage. ;.
| I was both surprised and annoye
to hear, the following day, that Georg
Graham was paying court to her.
1t was but one more reason why
should be war to the death betwee
us; nevertheless, was determine
that her name should not be dragge
into our affairs before we had finall
settled accounts with each other.
It must not be expected from thi
that Graham was without friends. Fa
from 1t; he had number, many G
them intensely partisan, who woul
not hesitate at anything to accom-
plish their purpose.
Among these was young fellow b
the name of Reynolds who owned
jewelry store next door to the ELK
This cur had already circulated
number of most malicious lies abou
me, when determined to put him OF
of business. / might have a sort {
respect for Graham, but none for hi
creatures.
/ bought the store next to Reynold
and fixed it up with the finest of flu
nishings. Then I sent for one of m
out-of-town friends, put everything
his name, and placed twice as larg
and handsome a stock as Reynold
In the store. I instructed my man I
/ sell for one-half the price his compel
tor charged for an article.
Reynolds commenced cutting price
and his end was so quick that b
, didn't even furnish me amusement {
, excitement.
In a similar manner and for lih
reasons established and controlled
{ newspaper, bakery, harness she
, and a theater.
I The town was rapidly becom:r
, mine, and I was king.
!. If any one disliked me or my way
they acquired the ability Of keepir
J. that knowledge to themselves; TO
? somehow, they found that my en-
t mics, for some cause they could NJ
r fully understand, were rapidly takir
= advantage of the bankruptcy law.
, during this neriod 7 managed