The Lamar register., 1914-11-25
WALLINGFORD
IN HIS PRIME
continued from Page -


growled Crompers IT'D serve old Dad
Thompson right If we'd refuse to bid
any more Anyhow II this crowd de
cides to offer above $4,000 more you
may count me out"
Since Crompers hung to that resolu
ZION. and since Backie did not seem
anxious to shake his resolve. S5.Un
more was all they bid. and Walling
ford's crowd wun the contest Mt SD.OOO.
IF this was Il business day I'd take
something to bind the bargain. an
nOunced Dad but. seeing that II amt.
If Mr.. wallingford wni im; i.ut some
real cash, say Sl.UHi. "a IniS envelope
with his bid. IN open II the tirst thing
tomorrow morning and do business.
And he looked WaIliugfnrd hard in the
eye.
Wallingford. returning that steady
gaze critically. finally smiled and emp
tied his pocketbouk. II conta I'd $50
and he obtained the balance from Ham
mond.
Mr. WallingfOrd's party was Jubilant-
but sober and thoughtful about 1t. for
half their capital they felt was stag
gering price to pay for even this won
derful site. Mr.. DAVIS committee was
disappointed. though relieved. links
Woods was broken hearted. but Blark-
lie Daw was furious.
LET me at him! Let me at himr
yelled Biackie. pushing toward Wal
lingford and whirling his arms over
links shoulders.
BE game- pleaded links. Listen.
Let me show you how game l am.
VIII you listen. Dawf Now. Three
cheers for the Prize City amusement
park. whoever builds It: One. two.
three. wheel And links voice
shrilled a cheer with all his IGngs-
He cheered alone. but his plucky los
ing spirit produced one good effect
Blackie Daw clasped his hand to his
brow and thought quite conspicuously:
then he mounted a stump and spread
forth his long arms cOmmandingly.
Gentlemen. | am about to make
speech" he warned them. First Of
all. I apologize to everybody for my
hasty temper. Get together. gentlemen;
get togetherr'
Three cheers for everybody de-
manded links Woods. having replep-
ished his breath.
In the proceedings that followed the
two factions mixed with q cordially
they had not known for years. and Mr..
Hammond found himself standing be-
side Mr.. Crompers In perfect amity.
As they rolled out Of Prize City on
the same train on Tuesday night
Blackie inquired. We'll. Jim, did Dad
sting you on the settlement todayT'
mo" chuckled wallingford. except
to keep that $1,000 he worked out of
me At the auction. I knew he meant
to do that when ! gave II to him"
Hes queer old cuss." laughed
Blackie He had more fun out Of 1t
than any of US He's some actor too.
It's a wonder to me he didn't feel
Rrouchy, giving up all that money to
you
why should her demanded Wal
lingford Hes been trying for years
to sell that farm for 5000 I paid
him $4,000 for It the day after ! land
ed here and sent him away till wired
for him. He was glad enough to come
back and conduct the sale for Us At
a $1,000 profit. and besides that every
farmer loves to sting the smart Aleck
folks In his nearest town"
They're not stung"' Indignantly de
MED Blarkie We've done them more
good than your dinky little $4,000
worth OF stock. and my bringing them
together was worth the $4,000 we
cleaned up on the land deal"
1T was a happy thought" admitted
WaIlingford by the way. Blackie.
you overacted at the auction. For
awhile thought you were half In ear
nest
81 was" confessed Blackie. 81 want
ed to win that bid in spite Of our un-
derstanding as to prices
ITO win it, protested Wallingford
why. you crazy lollOp. you had real
money up!
I'D have left It uD." Blackie In
formed him. Jim. | was plumb wlio
to stay there and build that park"
ITO have the first ride ON the roller
coaster" guessed Wallingford. cycling
him in wonder. even while be laughed
II believe you'd do 1t
"weil. why not?" defended Blackie-
CHAPTER XIV.
Getting Away With u.