The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1912-06-20
TEN ACRES
OF SAND
By M. QUAD
Copyright. 1912. by Associated Lii
erary Press


and chimneys you must have Sihd
Perhaps that was the reason why
Grandfather Sharp founded the town
of Sharpsville where he dltt. mere
were hills around it. and those bills
were full Of sand and grave FOR
thirty years every man that Dulit
house or had need of sand was free to
dig into any hill and help himself to
all he wanted.
Sharpsville had got to he ii town or
l,5OO people and was jogging a:ong III Il
humdrum way when Il great ana SUD
den change Swooped down on II
railroad decided to come that way:
shoe manufacturer decided to erect Il
big factory here: it was Il fine site Tor
a chair factory. AID as the country
around was agricultural u cslnntry was
to be established. In II ST.! secret way.
sites were purchased and then came
the announcements that fairly made
the town stand on its head All the
sandpits were bought up except one.
There were ten acres of that. ana II
was owned by a spilfSter named Han
nah Goodhue
Three or four different times MISS
Goodhue had offered to sell those ten
acres for $50 Nothing but Sorrel and
MULLEN stocks would grow on the sandy
surface. and nobody could tell wheth-
er the material below amounted to
anything. Not over 1m cart loads Of
sand had ever been taken out. as
there was plenty to be had nearer
The land buyers inspected The sand.
pronounced it good and offered 500 for
the ten acres. They would have got it
but for old Ezra Johnson. one of the
old pioneers of the town. who had
known the spinster since her birth
He had overheard some talk and he
called on her to advise
"Hanner. hear yOu are gOin' to
sell them ten acres for $50 Don't you
do it,
"But why?"
1--WE got a sneakin' idea that the
other sand pits are peterin out
know Taylor's is. and. Johnson's never
did amount to much There's going to
be terrible pile of sand used here.
and If it turns out that you've got the
only pit you can get your own price
for it. Jest hang on for awhile any
way"
well. If you think so y
81 surely do Say. Hammer. you know
| was widower ten year ago.
YES"
81 kinder hung around here for a
spell"
Hannah looked embarrassed
Guess mebbe you thought was
after you?''
why. Mr.. Johnson
ITO be honest with you. was after
you, but them relations of mine talked
and talked until got switched off aft
er the Widder Colby It's allus laid
heavy on my conscience"
But | never even dreamed of mar,
rying your exclaimed the blushing
spinster
Tut. tut. It's all right. however
I'm goin' to show you how to get
better husband than | would have
made. Them ten acres is goin' to do
the trick"
"Rut-but | don't want to marry.
"Oh. yes. You do. This pokin' around
alone hain't good for folks You jest
refuse to sell that land ut any price.
but throw out strong hint that when
h,,, hI1, hc, "a
will about sellin Now. don't be skit,
fish about it, Every woman on airth
Is entitled to Il husband If he don't
come through love make him come
through ten acres of sand Love and
sand will mix all right after bit.
Mind what | tell you | orter married
you myself. but I'm doin' the next best
thing. If not the best
Now and then Ezra Johnson met Miss
Goodhue ON the street and winked at
her. and when he judged the time ripe
be went to the president of the big shoe
concern. who was tearing his hair IN
anxiety. and asked:
DO you want to git holt of Miss
Goodhue's sand lotS?'
do I want to?' was shouted in re-
ply why. man. you may go and tell
her that I'll give her check for $15.-
900 For them right now"
''She wants more than that
well. make it $4,000"
"NO use to offer money-not now"
''Then in heavens name what can we
offer?'
"Have you got mighty good man
hanging around-a Teller about forty
good natured and of loving dispOsi-
ton, widow or bach?'
"Um: Um!. Let's see Yes. have.
He's one of my foremen and good as
the day is long. Why?"
Get him to marry the old maid. and
you'll get your sand all right No hus-
band. no sand"
Then Mr.. Johnson explained and the
foreman was sent for. and within two
hours the plot was laid Was it bru-
tai affair? By no manner of means
Why. 1t was the Dlainest case of doing