The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-01-20


ly 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
a producing proposition. / didn't say
he added carelessly, that your fee
ought, in my opinion, to be about $10,-
000-in stock"
worth how much?"
Worth par" Hampden answered
with conviction. Eventually"
"Phew. You haven't impressed me
as man who would pap city prices
for country butter, Mr.. Hampden.' :
John replied thoughtfully "Just why
so much?''
you will be expected to earn it.
said Hampden dryly. Are you in the
habit of questioning fees because they
are larger
I'm not in the habit of getting large
fees. Only I'm not quite clear how
you expect me to earn a fee of $4,000
in stock worth par-eventually."
THE usual legal matters-charter
organization, conveyances and so on
And" casually. helping US to sign NJ
the Deer township properties"
They don't like the propositionY
They're the only ones who haven
accepted it. They seem to be holding
out under the advice of this fellow
Cranshawe, is it?" Warren nodded
I'VE think you can swing them into
line"
Il see." said John thoughtfully. His
brow wrinkled in a troubled fashion as
he gazed refectively out at the clerks
sweltering behind the cage. Hampder
and Warren waited patiently for bis
answer
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 tC
be good deal of man. He and bis
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?" l. .pden demanded
again.
Let US say" John smiled. that
am in politics and don't want to com
pIicate my vote getting
That isn't your reason"
Well" John said regretfully, IF
you will have it. it isn't proposition
that can conscientiously recommend =
You impeach my honestly"
Il do not go so far, sir Honesty is a
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 a 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
Is theirs, and in return for it they
should at least have control"
''The coal has always been there
We furnish the initiative and the
brains and the money TO make it use
full"
81 see that. too. But don't you think
initiative Of this sort is sometimes-er
-overcapitalized? ?"
do you know of any capital that
Will offer better terms than l dog
IT do not" John confessed. And il
strikes me-" he added gravely, that
you are taking advantage of that fact
to gouge"-the word slipped out; be
corrected himself hastily-''to drive a
close bargain with the farmers"
Hampden abruptly Strengthened up
IN his chair You may stick 70
'gouge' Do understand that you re-
fuse the jobT'
81 have been trying TO explain my
reasons
"Im not deeply concerned with your
reasons" Hampden remarked shortly.
He picked up a document and pointed
ly began to peruse it. Observing thar
John did not at once take the hint. he