The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1914-09-24
~ GEORGE RANDOLPH CHESTER


+ Merrill Co. <
.s.s.+. !.
would draw my certified check in
favor of the county for 100000 and
would accompany my bid with that
certified check, as required by your we'll
tanned county commission. It's all very
simple. gentlemen"
If he had tried to be nonchalant and
Indifferent he was failing miserably,
for there was a distinct note Of eager
ness in his tone. They all noticed it.
YES" admitted Mr.. Collop, II sup
pose we could go right with you to the
bank and watch you deposit our money
and get your certified check"
Il don't think I'd like that" objected
Wallingford. II should not care to be
guarded as if l were thief. If you
propose to humiliate me by this sur
VIGILANCE l shall withdraw from the
project entirely"
They did not like that. No reliable
person in the city would lend his name
to a deliberate steal of such magnitude.
1--WE don't question your integrity.
Wallingford." hastily interposed Char
ley Jackson. who was distressed be-
tween shielding his own interests and
protecting the feelings of the man who
lars. You see. we merely don't know
you. Why couldn't you make it all
right by giving us some good refer
ences or guarantors?"
Gentlemen. this style of humiliation
has gone quite far enough" asserted
Mr.. Wallingford, with a sudden flare of
indignation. 81 have permitted you to
insinuate against my honesty and to
insult every finer feeling that have.
and all for a possible paltry 100000
Gentlemen. l positively decline to
allow you to trust me with your
money. 1t purchase the county court
house for you it must be with my own
funds, and you must pay me interest
upon the money in addition to the DO
nus that l am to receive in case the
deal is put entirely through
"Oh, that won't be necessary" Jack
son hurriedly stated in the interest of
peace. "We'll cook up some way to
make it pleasant for you and safe for
u.s."
"That is the last straw" declared
Wallingford, now furious. II have told
you the only way in which will pur-
chase Courthouse square-with my
own money"
Mr. Collop cleared his already clear
throat. 1T seems to me that Mr.. Wal
lingford is pursuing the only course
that he could pursue after he has been
so grossly insulted." he announced
with much apparent relief. Il. 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 caution
found another topic to discuss.
"Of course Mr.. Wallingford will Civ
us a written agreement to transfer :
clear title and deed for the courthous
to us upon demand, for $22O.OOO," h.
remarked, as if this We're tritiing de
tail.
Wallingford gave up in despair
docs nobody ever take anybody
word in this town." he disgustedl.
wanted to know. Yes, III give yo1
your agreement. but it will mention
$225,O0O and interest at II per cen
from the time invest my money un
til the deed is transferred to your
They beat him down to 1920
Wallingford was more casually intel
ested in Blackie's church affiliations.
well, Deacon" he pleasantly oh
served upon Blackie's return, ''are 20
still enthusiastic about prefering 81
cred edifice to a den of infamy o
Courthouse square"
I'm so keen for it that hate rag
time music" responded Blackie. g
, think it's the preacher man that's GO
my goat. His name is Maikem, an
4 when that gent grabs me by the hoo