The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-12-26


ing directly at Hampden. That hard
" gives the farmers a square deal,
does it?''
The pupils of Hampden's eyes con-
tracted suddenly. "Certainly it does"
he answered with some emphasis.
''since it converts properties that have
been eating themselves up in taxes into
. producing proposition. | didn't say"
he added carelessly, that your fee
ought, in my opinion, to be about $1O.-
0OO-in stock"
"Worth how much"
"Worth par" Hampden answered
With conviction. Eventually"
"Phew! You haven't impressed mo
% 4 man who would pay city prices
for country butter. Mr.. Hampden."
John replied thoughtfully. "Just Why
% much?'
"You will lie expected to earn It,"
aid Hampden dryly. Are you In the
habit Of questioning fees because they
sre large?''
"I'm not in the ha bit Of getting large
fees. Only I'm not quite clear bow
yon expect me to earn fee of $10,O 900
In stock worth par-eventually."
1.-THE usual legal matters-charter,
organization. conveyances and so on.
And" casually. helping us to sign up
the Deer township properties"
''They don't like the proposition?
They're the only ones who haven't
accepted it. They seem to be holding
out under the advice Of this fellow
Grams have. is it," Warren nodded
1--WE think you can swing them into
line
Il see" said John thoughtfully His
brow wrinkled in a troubled fashion as
he gazed retiectiveIy out at the clerks
sweltering behind the cage. Hampden
and Warren waited patiently for his
answer. 2. ST
At last he raised his eyes to Hamp-
denis. I'm sorry. but can't do it,
''Why not Hampden demanded.
''This fellow Cranshawe happens to
be good deal Of a man. He and his
neighbors are clients of mine in a small
way and friends also. think. They
do me the honor to trust me shouldn't
care to advise them in this matter"
why not:" Hampden demanded
again. ~ WI
LET us say" John smiled, that
am in politics and don't want to COM
plicate my vote getting" 4
''That isn't your reason"
SWELL" John said regretfully, IF
you will have it. it isn't a proposition
that'I can conscientiously recommend"
You impeach my honestly"
II do not 20 so far. sir Honesty is Il
matter Of intent. think ! understand
your point OF view-that you will con-
vert their idle coal. as you say. into an
income property and by starting new
industry will indirectly benefit the
whole valley. which Is probably true.
But the point is that the coal. the one
indispensable element in the situation.
ts theirs, and in return for it they
should at least have control"
1.-The coal has always been there
We furnish the initiative and the
brains and the money to make it use
full"
II see that. too But don't you think
Initiative of this sort is sometimes-er
do you know Of any capital that
Will offer better terms than do"
II do not" John confessed. And it
strikes me-" he added gravely. that
you are taking advantage of that fact
to gouge'-the word slipped out: he
corrected himself hastily-''to drive Il
close bargain with the farmers
Hampden abruptly Strengthened up
IN his chair "You may stick to
'gouge' Do understand that you re-
fuse the job|'
II have been trying to explain my
reasons
~I'm not deeply concerned with your
reasons" Hnmpden remarked shortly.
he picked up document and pointed
y began to peruse it. Observing that
John did not at once take the hint he
looked up, nOdding carelessIy. "Oh.
Good morning. a...
John rose. flushed under the curt dis
0issal and went out Of the bank.
II told you So" Warren said.
Cant you say anything more origi-
nj than thaty' Hampden exclaimed
1mpatiently. Warren couldn't. so he
held his peace
~What Id like to know" Hampden
o6ded refectively, dropping the doc,l.
! nent lis why Murchell let him be
nominated. A young lawyer who re-
fuses big fee for sentimental reasons
has no place in Murchelps machine.
He was talking to himself rather than
TO Warren
But this was attacking what had al.