Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1913-07-31

Trying 10 get railroad into Hope
Vile" insinuated Bross, some what
sneeringly.
Not at ALL" retorted Dawes, with
an enigmatical smile. I'VE don't want
one-why. intend to explain to you
weak sister growlers at the annual" Z"
The annual was a time honored
Institution Of Hopeville. and now
again close at hand Every year
Phillip Dawes had insisted that the
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 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. 1t 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 never 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 it, and
furthermore the big artesian well
that supplied the town ranked third
in the state as to pun~y OF outrvsh.
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. 81 think
Dawes will have to take 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 e
the merit Of 1t. 1t Is Hopeville water,
though not from the home well. Gen.
tlemen, you have drank of the soon.
to- obe-celebrated Lithia- Magnesium
water. specially presented to you tc
introduce the last requirement this
beautiful district needed to make I,
famous"
Say, what are you driving at. any
how?" inquired Bross bluntly.
Just this" explained Dawes. 81
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 magnii
cent scenery as Hopeville, nor lake
nor . trout stream, nor the mode
town. Again, tourists like to ride
from terminus In stage-thinl
they're diving into the primeval will
derness. Well. gentlemen. for two
months | have been negotiating with
wealthy promoters In the city The
deal is closed, a big hotel is to bs
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 towr
stores would quadruple their business
The rich golden harvest was coming
at last!
But what about this horrible tast
ing water?" queried Rross. 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 i
came from"
And where Is that?"
Down In a forgotten corner of tha
poor. neglected farm your boy lives
on over In the ravine. Now, Neigh
Dor Bross, as all the town is happ,
over the grand general prospecti
ahead cf US, suppose you 60 down t.
the ravine farm and congratulate
your son. Bradley. and his wife OF
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.