The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-07-31

 are all sorts of rumors about that courthouse" he declared earnestly.
 They're all alike," Wallingford re- Joined, feeling sure of his ground saThe only difference in the ruInors Is in the name of the alderman who is to be the goat and buy 1t in his own name and turn it into a restaurant, with beer hall and dance hall attach ments. The tide of the rumors seems to set strongest In the direction of Charley Jackson.'
 'I wish it would stay there,'' con fessed Mfr. Jackson. Courthouse square Is the swellest location in this town for free and easy joint under friendly police suspicion"
 That listens very musically,'' ac- lnowledged Walnngford Why don't you grab it7'
 Nobody dares," regretted MT. Jack son. '1f we could put the thing off till after the campaign it would be all right, but the church element in this town Is so strong that mere little thing like turning the courthouse into a human pickle factory might swing the campaign"
 ..I don't see who that would hurt.'' objected Wallingford. You all stay in year after year, no matter which way the election goes.
 '.It's point of honor" explained MT. Jackson promptly. 'sEverybody's fussy about being on the winning side, like quitting with the most clips in par Tor poker game where the white ones are sold by the pound.
 'sWhy don't you get a stranger to buy 1t for you7l
 'sWhere would you find a stradger who would submit to being chained to khe floor till after the campaign is over2'' dema nded Jackson weardly. show me that stranger and I'll slip him this thousand' 2
 sPass 1t over invited WallinBfOrd.
 sI spoke too quick hedEed Jack son, pressing his hand over his pocket .I'd rather arrange to hand over ten thousand out Of the purchase price of the courthouse. Besides that, you know Wallingford, the stranger oughtn't to be too strange.
 There's no danger waningford re- assured him. I'll do it for you, and he was very careless about it sYou furnish me inc money to bid in the property for you and I'll give you . secret bill of sale for it. You can 20 right ahead with your alterations in my name If you like when the campaign is over III ransfer the deed to any name you say. If tried to sell the property the sale would have to be recorded and y6ur bill of sale would invalidate it.
 That's. very kind of you, asserted MT Jackson, "but you're not working for your heal tn z
 No. I have too much health now. 2 retorted Walhngford. adroitly repeat ing Jackson's answer to similar re- mark. T ought to charge you the local 20 per cent. but if you'll make me present of that SIG, 1000 you mentioned and another one like it Il be satisfied. Whats the property worth
 Four hundred thousand; but good, handy political experts ought to be able to bring 1t home for two
 'sThe only didnculty see.'' observed Wallfngford with knitted broVs. ssis that some private interest may overbid you. That property is too valuable to be overlooked as an investnaent."
 If any private individual has the nerve to put in a bid for that property my county com missioners will throw 1t out because 1t wasn't written in green ink, or because the bidder has a mole on his neck avowed MT. Jackson in- differently sTheysre so used to that here that nobody will kick.,'
 BIackie returned from church In state of magnificent exaltation.
 a.. we've been overlooking bet.1 he declared. sI never felt so calm and peaceful in my life. 7
 He was very much in earnest about it The raliRion that has withstood the assault of scoffers for nineteen centu- ries had impressed him with its sheer weight and, though his words seemed uncouth his tone was seriously re- Gpectful
 ''1'm glad you enjoyed yourself, 2 said WaIlingford Tou should go to church oftener You need it.''
 I'm going, asserted Blackie decis- lively. You'll see Uncle Horace seated In the pew reserved for well dressed strangers on every Sunday morning until get back home then you'll seq him with a season ticket for soma place about row g.,
 WalIngford. rather glad to be away for 2 moment from the train of calcu- lation that the visit of Charley Jackson had set in motion, lent himself to the smiling consideration of BlacktesE new development
 .sEvbat will Violet Bonnie sayg g'' he wanted to know.
 ssI don't know if she ever tried it, but she'd fall for 1t like Guinea boot black to a grand opera ticket In the first place, she buys from twelve to fifteen hats a year and she'd be tickled into g1ggle fits with new line of com petition. In the second place, she's as strong for music as am. It isn't fashionable in our set to be dippy over high brow music, but every once in a while we sltp away to Carnegie hall and wonder what its about and love some of it till it gasps heard pipe organ stuff today that made me feel 1 like a balloon and if I could have found a friendly shoulder I'd have snidled Tn the third place she'd be l plumb p1tachio about this right hand of felInzzI1ir srl1rrnrisa that fleaxr sr,,i,,o e