The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-10-08

commemorative residents OF the place
meet at the town hall to celebrate 'ne
founding of the village. SpeecheS
CONGRATULATIONS, suggestions for CIVIC
improvements comprised the features
of the program. Then a banquet.
Dawes was always the chairman Vi
the functions, and so fellcltous was
his handling of the various toasts pro-
posed that he had won the title OF
THE Cheer Master
They could hear the distant echo Oh
an engine whistle across the valley
as they sat in the town hall on the
present occasion. 1t reminded some
OF the sore ones of their disappoint'
ment. Dawes. however, was in great
fettle that evening, aud when inc
banquet board was reached MS
buoyant, optimistic air communicated
itself to others.
They never had anything stronger
than clear, sparkling water at tnese
celebration functions. They had notn'
ing stronger, because in the nrst
Mace no one seemed to want It, ana
furthermore the big artesian well
that supplied the town ranked third
in tho state as to purity Of outrush.
So as q matter Of local loyalty. the
toasts were drunk in aqua pura.
"Hopeville-her splendid past ana
ner glorious future" was the toast
read
"Humph!" grumbled Bross, Il think
Dawes will have to take a back sea.
this time"
But Phillip Dawes arose, looking
brighter and prouder than he had
ever seemed He took no back water
on the buoyant predictions OF past
years. He looked quite dalzled as ne
spoke OF the golden stream OF good
fortune now knocking at their DOORS
And then they drank the toast. And
then most everybody made grimace,
set down the unfinished iibation, and
| looked queer
Something the matter with the wa
ter, friends?" smiled Dawes. That's
the merit of it. It is Hopevlle water
though not from the home we'll. Cen
tlemen you have drank Of the soon
to-be-celebrated Lithia Magnesium
water specially presented to you TO
| introduce the last requirement this
beautiful district needed to make 1t
famous"
Say, what are you driving at, any
how" inquired Bross bluntly
Just this" explained Dawes. Il
reasoned from the first that the new
railroad would open up popular out
ing resort somewhere along its line.
The noisy railroad has spoiled Byron.
Besides they have no such magnlfi.
cent scenery as Hopeville, nor a lake
nor a trout stream, nor the model
town. Again, tourists like to ride
from terminus in stage-thlnk
They're diving into the primeval will
derness. Well, gentlemen, for two
months I have been negotiating with
wealthy promoters in the city. The
deal is closed, a big hotel is to be
built at the head of the lake, and peo
pie will come to Hopeville next sea
son, dead loads of them
Voices arose in eager demands fol
more detailed information. Property
and rents would go up! The town
stores would quadruple their business!
The rich golden harvest was coming
at last!
But what about this horrible tast
ing water?" queried Bross, with {
wry face.
Pronounced by chemists the mos
healthful beverage in the world,
boasted Dawes proudly. "a true min
eral water. When the promoter
learned that, they offered ten thou
sand dollars cash for the spring 1
came from"
And where is that?"
Down in a forgotten corner Of tia
poor, neglected farm your boy kvo
on over in the ravne. Now, Neigh
Dor Bross as all the town is happy
over the grand general prospects
ahead Of US. suppose you go down t
the ravine farm and congratulate
your son, Bradley, and his wife o,
their share in the general good luck ?
And thus it was that the name o
the popular Cheer Master became ,
household word In Hopeville for al
time to come.