The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1913-08-29

representative residents Of the place
meet at the town hall to celebrate the
founding of the village. Speeches,
congratulations, suggestions for civic
improvements comprised the features
of the program. Then a banquet.
Dawes was always the chairman Of
the functions, and so felicitous 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 Of
an engine whistle across the valley
as they sat in the town hall on the
present occasion. It reminded some
Of the sore ones of their disappoint-
ment. Dawes, however, was in great
fettle that evening, and when the
banquet board was reached his
buoyant, optimistic air communicated
itself to others.
They had anything stronger
than clear, sparkling water at these
celebration functions. They had moth
Ing stronger, because in the first
place no one seemed to want 1t, and
furthermore the big artesian well
that supplied the town ranked third
In the state as to purity of outrush,
so, as a matter of local loyalty, the
toasts were drunk in aqua pura.
"Hopeville-her splendid past and
her glorious future" was the toast
read.
"Humph!" grumbled Bross, II think
Dawes will have to take a back seat
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 dazzled as he
spoke Of the golden stream Of good
fortune now knocking at their doors.
And then they drank the toast. And
then most everybody made a grimace,
set down the unfinished libation, and
looked queer.
Something the matter with the wa
ter, friends?" smiled Dawes. That's
the merit of it. 1t is Hopeville water,
though not from the home we'll. Cen
tlemen, you have drank Of the DON
to-be-celebrated Lithia-Magnesium
water, specially presented to you to
introduce the last requirement this
beautiful district needed to make It
famous"
Say, what are you driving at, any
how" inquired Bross bluntly.
Gust this" explained Dawes. 81
reasoned from the first that the new
railroad would open up a popular out
ing resort somewhere along its line.
The noisy railroad has spoiled Byron.
Besides, they have no such magnih-
cent scenery as Hopeville, nor a lake,
nor a trout stream, nor the model
town. Again, tourists like to ride
from terminus in a stage-think
they're diving into the primeval will
derness. Well, gentlemen, for two
months l 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 Hopevllle next sea
son, dead loads Of them"
Voices arose in eager demands for
more detailed information. Property
and rents would go up! The town
stores would quadrupls their business!
The rich golden harvest was coming
at lastI
but what about this horrible tast-
ing water?" queried Bross, with a
wry face.
Pronounced by chemists the most
healthful beverage in the world"
boasted Dawes proudly, "a true min
eral water. When the promoters
learned that, they offered ten thou
sand dollars cash for the spring it
came from"
And where is that?"
Down in a forgotten corner Of that
poor, neglected farm your boy lives
on over in the ravine. Now, Neigh
Dor Bross, as all the town is happy
owe the grand general prospects
ahead of us, suppose you go down to
the ravine farm and congratulate
your son, Bradley, and his wife on
their share in the general good luck?"
And thus 1t was that the name of
the popular Cheer Master became a
household word in Hopeville for all
time to come.
Copyright, 1913, by w. G. Chapman)