Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-09-04

,ramvay. 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
man beside the road.
TT won't scare horses a great while
longer. That's one sure thing"
~why? -
Because there won't be anything
to run it for. This cant hold out
more than two years, at the most.
It's getting poor now"
That's what | should like to know.
returned the man. It's hard stun to
pick up when you want 1t"
Hard stuff to ind. 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, CHANGING UP the hill in
the direction of the whitcomb farm.
Late that night Mrs Whitcomb
went upstairs to see If her son had
| fallen asleep and had left his lamp
burning. She found him sitting at
table bending over a maze OF figures.
What are you doing up so late?'
she asked.
I'm trying to find a way to build
up the farm" came the evasive re-
ply
sYoun never do It 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 fioated back
to him from the hallway He turned
the lamp lower and sat down at the
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 the 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 office
Il called to see you about your
sand supply" he said, as Mr.. Gordon
turned In his chair.
What's the mater with it?" 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 ex-
hausted. | have two or three million
tons of it for sale. If you would care
to consider the matter"
| l. -
up on our farm"
you mean that sand hill? VIII
you deliver it?"
No, but you could extend the tram
way. It's in almost a direct line W
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 dollars!" calculated
the president. 81 shouldn't consider
your whole farm to be worth more
than half that amount"
Perhaps not as farm, but how
about the value of the sand? Wouldn't
you be getting IL at a pretty low
price?"
There may be something in the
scheme" continued the president, ap
parently unaware that anyone had
been speaking. Il am not prepared
to say at present. should want tC
have our engineers look into it. Per
haps you may hear from me later"
The days travelled by without
bringing any word. The engineers
had come and gone, leaving nothing
TO 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 a call at the
door, and a thin impressive-looking
envelope was ushered in. Don scanned
the contents excitedly. Then, thrust
ing it into his pocket. he swung oper
the door OF his fathers room.
DO you want to sell the thirty
acre LOTT" he said.
The sand hill?" There was slSep
ticism in the voice Who'd evel
want to buy that?'
The Weldon Marble company viii
buy 1t. They'll give you $4,000 fol
; It."
Mr.. Whitcomb turned about uneas
ily. Don't bother mel don't fee
like joking.
Slipping up behind him, Don helt
the open letter where the old mar
. could read It AS the import of thu
message became clear. the bent shoul
ders seemed to straighten and re
gain a portion of their lost strength
Five thousand dollars for sand
he exclaimed.
They need it for their mills, ant
they're going TO build a tramway owe
the hill. I'll give you the details later
} VIII you SELF"
will /? Why. boy, that monel
would put me on my feet again. Die
you bring all this about?"
81 found out they were getting shor
and went to see them about it. The!
did the rest" replied Don.
& was wrong about the farminl
college" Mr.. Whitcomb went on.
This shows how good an invest
ment it was never should have
thought of this thing. and if had,
couldn't follow 1t up as you've done.
, 1
) What He Meant.
Hair disheveled, his collar and neck
, tie awry, and his hat battered In anC
; fitting over one eye, he stood proppeC