The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-08-28

uut HnWlSldkdDly CledF ice. dttSOJ
sQuinted at the west, which was still
red with the sunset clouds. Then he
looked across tho lane toward the
back door Of the store Then he
pulled out the ice with his hands, and
taking the precaution not to melt 1t
by too careful lingering, he climbed
down the ladder again He placed
the ice in a nice cold snowdrift. where
1t was unlikely to be noticed, and
went home,
1t was ten o'clock the next morn
ing before he walked out of his hotel
and round to the insurance agent
Got him. said Catesby,
What" shouted the agent. why,
everything's burned out What was
it9 kerosene?"
Guess again" answered Catesby.
Il don't know, unless 1t was ton
OF dynamite
Lets call 1t Rochester burner"
said Catesby, and the idea appealed
to him as humorous one. Want
to come and see the fun?"
%. sure" said the agent.
Mr. Hanson was chating and fret.
ting upon the ruins Of his store when
the two men put In an appearance.
He welcomed them with cordial
handgrip apiece.
Now, let's get down to business
he began You advertised to settle
all claims promptly, didn't you? Well,
and you've had the night to think IT
over in. And there amt no eighty per
cent clause in my policy-you know
that So 1t comes to this When do
l get my check?"
You wouldn't think of arbitrating
now, would you?" inquired Catesby.
NO, sir want to pocket my loss
and get my people to work again as
quickly as | can It's quite blow
to this town. and wouldn't relish
being held up And, what's more, II
there's any talk Of arbitration or com
promise | put the case into my law
/ yer's hands today
20, pshaw, Maybe you'll be only
too glad to compromise" suggested
Catesby Come, make me an offer. :
"One-q quarter million" said Hanson
"Ycm- ,cwcrt C~cro"
you bet It is. What d'you take
me for?"
"All right I've heard yours, and
now you can hear mine. Not one
penny, but we won't prosecute If YOU
drop your claim, because ice is a deli
cate commodity to keep even when
It's cold storaged. You see, We
couldn't very well bring 1t into court. "
"Eh?' stammered Hanson, begin
ming to tremble.
Come here!" said Catesby, and led
Hanson and the agent to the COO
snowdrift. He bent down, scraped
away the snow, and pulled UP huge
ana neatly FURNISHED circular disk Of
ice.
Il guess II formed on top Of tanl
or somewhere, and that gave oul
friend his idea" said Catesby. "Catcl
on. Mr. Brown"
"Why, its-it's like a burning
glass cried the agent.
That's what it is, and pretty vel
done. | guess you were in the optica
business once, weren't you, Mr.. Han
SOM"
"Why, he was the first optician II
town." the agent cried. That was
before he built this store"
Exactly" answered Catesby. "Wha
would a jury say to that, | wonder
However there's one more thing L
take into consideration, and that's th'
focal length, We've got to prove tha
at three o'clock In the afternoon thu
sun is in a direct line with the top o
= that she'd where the glass lens wa'
fixed and those split stones at th'
back OF the store, where the fire be
gan. Furthermore, as | was saying
that is the correct focal length tt
concentrate the rays. Now well &c
up this afternoon
stop, for Gods sake!" whispered
Hanson, and his face was peagreen
: "You got me. All right. Make 1t twt
hundred thousand and it's ten PEE
cent Of that apiece to-"
You scoundrel'" yelled Catesby
catching EIanscn by the throat. Nov
we'll send you to the states prisoI
= for sure. Tm glad you said it, am
| wanted my chance"
"shucks, Let's call It all on, Mr.
Catesby." interposed the agent. "Yo'
, couldn't convict. with him in Roch
= ester"
/ Catesby released the trembling mer
: chant.
: rs 1t all OFF," he asked.
, a guess so. murmured Mr. Han
son.
You'll write confession to dicta
J ton as the price Of immuntty?
"Yes, if I've got TO
"All right Wen have it righ
. away. Say. Mr.. Brown, have you
timetable? l wan. to find when th'
raYt train leaves for Rochester" ;"
copyright. STA by W, G. Chapman)
Nc Use.