Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-03-28
3, NJ. QUAD

GrdnQIatner sharp I0unded tue TOWN.
Of SharpSyille where he did. There
were hills around it. and those hills
were full Of sand and gravel. For
thirty years every man that built a
house or had need Of sand was free 10
dig into any hill and help himself to
all he wanted.
Shnrpsyille had got to be town Of
1850 people and was jogging along in a
humdrum way when great and sud-
den change swooped down on 1t. A
railroad decided to come that way: Il
shoe manufacturer decided TO erecr a
big factory there; it was u fine site for
a chair factory. and as the country
around was agricultural eannery was
to be established. In sly, secret way.
sites were purchased and then came
the announcements that fairly made
the town stand on its head. All the
sandplts were bought up except one.
There were ten acres of that. and it
was owned by spinster named Han
nah Goodhue.
Three or four different times Miss
Goodhue had offered to sell those ten
acres for $40. Nothing but sorrel and
mullen stocks would grow on the sandy
surface. and nobody could tell wheth-
err the material below amounted TO
anything. Not over 100 cart loads OF
sand had ever been taken ont. as
there was plenty to be had nearer.
The land buyers Inspected the sand,
pronounced it good and offered $50 for
the ten acres. They would have got it
but for old Ezra Johnson. one Of the
old pioneers of the town. who bad
known the spinster since her birth.
He had overheard some talk aud he
called on her to advise.
Hammer. l hear you are goin' to
sell them fen acres for $50. Don't you
do IT.
But whyT
1--WE got a sneakin' idea that the
other sand pits are peterin' out l
know Tayfor's is. and Johnson's never
did amount to much. There's going to
be a 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"
Il surely do. Say, Hammer, you know
I was a widower ten year agog
"Yes.n
u kinder hung around here for a
spell. I"
Hannah looked embarrassed.
"Guess mebbe :yoR Thought i was
after your ~ 80
.Why, Mr. Johnsonw
TO be honest with you. I was after
you, but them relations Of mine talked
and talked until i got switched of aft
er the Widdef Colby. It's aIlus laid
heavy on my conscience"
"But / never even dreamed Of mar
rying your exclaimed the blushing
spinster.
tut, tuti IT'S all right. however.
Pm goin' to show you how to get a
better husband than I. would have
made. Them ten acres is goin' to do
the trick"
"But-but | don't want to marryg'
aOh, yes, you do! This pokin' around
alone hain't good for folks. You jest
refuse to sell that land at any price.
but throw out a strong hint that when
you have a husband he can do as he
VIII about sellin'. Now. don't be skit-
fish about it, Every woman on airth
IS entitled to husband. II he don't
come through lore make him come
through ten acres OF sand. Love and
sand will mix all right after "a bit
Mind what tell you. I 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, ard when he Judged the time ripe
he went to the president OF the big shoe
concern. who WINS tearing his hair IN
anxiety. and asked:
DO you want to git holt Of Miss
Goodhue's sand lots 2"
"Do want tog" was shouted In re-
ply. .fwhy. man, you may 60 and tell
her that I'll give her a check for $io'-
600 for them right now"
.She. wants more than that"
"well. make 4 $4,000"
.eNo use to offer money-not now"
"Then In heavens name what can We
offerg'
Have you got a mighty good man
hanging around-a Teller about forty
good natured and of a loving disposl-
ton. widow or bach?"
"Um. I'm! Let's see. Yes. ! have.
He's one of my foremen and good as
the day Is long. Why"
sect 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 1t a bru-
tai affair? BY no manner Of means.
Why, It was the piainest case of doing