Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-08-24

you the only way IN which I Win pur-
chase Courthouse square with my
own money"
Mr.. CollOp cleared his already clear
throat ut seems to me that MI. Wal
lingford is pursuing the only course
that he could pursue after he has been
so grossly insuited,' he announced
with much apparent relief. II, for
one. apologize and move that we allow
him to conduct the negotiations in his
own way"
They all gladly apologized to Mr.
Wallingford and consented to allow
him to furnish the money. Mr.. Collop.'
however. with professional eautssn.
found another topic to discuss.
"Of course Mr.. Wallingford will give
hs written agreement to transfer
clear title and deed for tho courthouse
to Us upon demand, for 422O.OO0," he
remarked, o. II this were tr1fing d.
tail.
Wallingford gave up IN despair.
'Does nobody ever take anybody's
word in this town. he disgustedly
wanted to know. Eyes, I'll give you
your agreement, but 1t will mention
k225, 900 and interest at IL per cent
from the time invest my money un-
iii the deed is transferred to your
They beat him down to $4,000.
Wallingforl was more casually inter
listed in Blackie's church Affiliations.
well, deacon" he pleasantly OBJ
eeTved upon Blackie's return, "ars y0u
btill enthusiastic about prefering q ~
cred ediace to q den OF infamy On
Courthouse square"
I'm so keen for 1t that hate rag
time music" responded Blackie. II
think it's the preacher man that's got
my goat His name is Maikem, and
when that gent grabs me by the hook
and calls m. Brother Daw want %
run out and carry trunk for him.
Am lin on this half million dollars
that you're out to make?
"You're always in for some OF Il,
aren't your" demanded Wallingford.
II thought you said you had enough
money!
II thought we had" returned Blackie
thoughtfully, "but now want to build
q church Of my own back home and
hire this boy for head preacher. I'd
be better man."
"Still plenty of money in sight down
there, is there:" inquired Wallingford.
That's the least of our troubles"
Blackie informed him. with an e1-
tremely worried air. THE wet blanket
brigade tried to capture the conven-
don this afternoon. They have been
hearing things since the morning serv-
ice. and they came back to the COM
mittee meeting with the idea that the
best all their fussing would do would
be to make the corrupt political thieves
IN this town pay more for their hive Of
vice. They were almost in favor Of
passing back the contributions, but my
old pal Maikem and your Uncle Horace
hurrahed awhile and got them to come
on. boys. We quit, dippy with en-
thusiasm."
| congratulations" said Wallingford,
with chuckle. "Blackie. do you sup
pose this bunch Of good men would
stoop to little-er-well, say. not
trickery, but diplomacy. to save Court
house square from the hands Of the
wfckedY
''Well." stated Blackie slowly and
weighing his words carefully. III
there's to be any dirty work you'd bet
ter fool them. Let me do It"
Spender Wallingford hired a touring
car ana chauffeur for week and
put in his time entertaining Charley
Jackson and his friends Of the county
commission and the aldermanic board,
appearing as jovial, smiling chuck
ling. pink faced host Of impressive
appearance, attractive personality and
faultless garb. There was not man
In that crowd who had not been bred
in suspicion and fostered in distrust,
yet by the end Of the week they grew
to like Wallingford as much as he dis
liked them.
You ought to try it, JIM" urged
.Blackie as they dressed on Saturday
morning. "Of course, know myself
too well to think I'll stick. but it does
me lot Of good while it lasts. I'm as
contented as deaf and dumb actor
playing leads in a moving picture COM
pany."
go to It," encouraged Wallingford,
q trifle generously. Its the one thing
never tried, but from it's effect on
you think might like It."
I, The gentlemen who were to turn
the courthouse into fashionable cafe
for willing workers had an early and
an earnest conference with the gen.
tleman who was to own the court
house until after the election. and
Wallingford gave them written
agreement to sell the courthouse to
them on demand at stipulated figure.
Thereupon Wallingford gave them two
more drinks and cigar and excused
himself, Immediately afterward hold
ing another important conference and
making a visit to the bank. From
there he rushed to the county audi
tors Office, where he displayed his
certified check to Charley Jackson and
his quivertngly interested colleagues,
deposited his check with his sealed
bid and smoked quiet cigar while
he waited the few minutes between
then and IL o'clock, at which time the
bids were to be opened.
Strangely enough, Wailingford en-
countered no opposition from DR.. Malk-
ems church. which did not nut In q