Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-11-09

seemed that the people there could
see or talk about nothing but marble.
II was piled up on all sides of them
tons OF tin an uncomfortable variety
OF shapes and sizes.
Nevertheless. Don made his way TO
the store without once giving q
thought 10 tho marble industry.
As he set out to return home. the
horse began to dance at sight OF the
tramway. with the moving chain OF
buckets.
I'm ashamed of you, Gyp." he
mumbled. Think how many times
you've seen this thing. Strange how
they never get used to IT," he said to
a man beside the road.
1T won't scare horses a great while
longer. That's one sure thing"
"Why?"
Because there won't be anything
TO run II for This can't hold out
more than two years. at the most
It's getting poor now"
That's what should like to know"
returned the man. ITS hard stuff to
pick up when you want H."
Hard stun to find, Is IT." unused
Don as he drove away. "Well. there's
plenty OF It up our way-too much Of
It. The whole thing is for sale. too"
he exclaimed. glancing up the hill in
the direction OF the Whitcomb farm.
Late that night Mrs. whitcomb
went upstairs 10 see II her son had
fallen asleep and had left his lamp
burning She found him sitting at a
table. bending over a maze of figures
What are you doing up 80 late?"
she asked.
I'm trying to find a way to build
up the farm" came the evasive re-
ply.
You'll never do Il by breaking into
the night. this way" she murmured.
1T is rather late. isn't it?" he said
smilingly. Il guess I'll go to bed"
A whispered goodnight floatcd back
TO him from the hallway. He turned
the lamp lower and sat down at tho
table again. His bed was unoccupied
that night.
Daybreak found him ready for a
second trip to Weldon. In order TO
gain added information. he visited
the shops and mills during the early
part of tho day. Then there were
more figures and final survey OF the
facts at his command. The afternoon
was nearly half gone when he entered
the presidents once.
Il called TO see you about your
sand supply" no said. as Mr.. Gordon
turned In his chair.
What's the matter with TT" The
president thought there must be some.
thing wrong with the tramway.
It's running out. isn't It? What
you have in sight will soon be cx-
haus'ed. have two or three million
tons OF 1t for sale. II you would care
to consider the matter"
where is it?" asked Mr.. Gordon.
up on our farm"
you mean that sand hill? VIII
you deliver TT"
NO. but you could extend the tram
way. It's IN almost direct line up
over the hill Our thirty-acre lot
would keep you supplied for IS years
at least-probably longer"
And how about the price,"
Two hundred dollars an acre"
six thousand dolars," calculated
the president. Il shouldn't consider
Your whole farm to be worth more
than half that amount"
Perhaps not as a farm. but how
about the value OF the sand? Wouldn't
you be getting II at pretty low
price,"
There may be something in the
scheme" continued the president. APP
parently unaware that anyone had
been speaking. II am not prepared
TO say at present. should want TO
have our engineers look into Il. Per.
haps you may hear from mo later"
Tho days travelled by without
bringing any word. Tho engineers
had come and gone. leaving nothing
10 sustain the hope which their ar
rival had enkindled. There was only
silence and uncertainty.
On the eighth morning. however. the
tension was relieved by call at tho
door, and thin. impressive.looking
envelope was ushered In Don scanned
the contents excitedly Then. thrust.
ing II into his pocket, he swung open
the door OF HIS fathers room.
DO you want TO sell the thirty
acre lott" he said.
"The sand hlll?" There was skep-
ticism In the voice. who'd ever
want to buy that"
THE Weldon Marble company will
buy it. They'll give you $1,000 for
it."
Mr.. Whitcomb turned about uneas-
fly Don't bother mel don't feel
like joking
Slipping up behind him, Don held
the open letter where the old man
could read H. AS the import Of the
message became clear. the bent Shout
ders seemed TO straighten and re-
gain a portion OF their lost strength
Five thousand dollars for sandt"