The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-08-29

seemed that the people there could
see or talk about nothing but marble.
1t WAS piled up on all sides OF them
tons Of tin an inconceivable variety
of shapes and sizes.
Nevertheless. Don made his way ID
the store4 without once giving
thought to the 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
man beside the road.
ut won't scare horses q great while
longer. That's one sure thing"
"Why?"
Because there won't be anything
to run 1t for. This can't hold oat
more than two years, at the most
It's getting poor now"
That's what should like to know"
returned the man. ITS hard stun to
pick up when you want It,"
Hard stun to find, Is it?" unused
Don as he drove away. swell, there's
plenty OF II up our way--too much OF
1t, 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 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 30 iate?"
she asked
I'm trying to find way to build
up the farm" came the evasive re-
ply.
You'll never do It by breaking into
the night, this way" she murmured.
1T is rather late. isn't III" he said
smllingly. 81 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. az Mr.. Gordon
turned in his chair
What's the matter with III" 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 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 IT,"
No. but you could extend the tram.
way. It's in almost a direct line up
over the hill. Our thirty-acre lot
would keep you supplied for 10 years
at least-probably longer"
And how about the price,"
Two hundred dollars an acre"
Six thousand dollars" calculated
the president. ~ 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 It at q pretty low
price?"
There may be something In the
scheme" continued the president ap,
parently unaware that anyone had
been speaking. 81 am not prepared
to cay at present. should want to
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 mr..
rival had enkindled. There was oniy
silence and uncertainty.
On the eighth morning, however, the .
tension was relieved by call at the .
door, and thin, impressive. looking
envelope was ushered in. Don scanned
the contents excitedly. Then, thrust
ing 1t 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 hll?" There was skep
ticism In the voice. Who'd ever
want to buy that"
THE Weldon Marble company will
buy 1t. They'll give you $4,000 for
IT,"
Mr.. Whitcomb turned about uneas. !
lily. Don't bother mel don't feel |
like joking. /
Slipping up behind him. Don held
the open letter where the old man
could read It. As the import of the
message became clear, the bent Shout. /
derR seemed to straighten and re- ,
gain a portion Of their lost strength. /,
Five thousand dollars for sand," I
he exclaimed.
They need It for their mills, and