Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-08-31
Copyright. 1918. by the Bobbs-
Merrill Co.

3bSSDAOuDG 8SW OVOA Oe0OAuo1ASgb A0oOSA
until quite 6late hour, with the excite
ment; more and more intense.
DadsThompaon's farm was a diversi-
led tract Of land, quite picturesque
enough to ilookaat, but of no delight at
all tosa farmer WHOSE artistic imagery
ran to- fields ,oftwaving grain.
. links Woods. who had hunted over
Dads farm until there wasn't q rabbit
or a squirrel left, was the guide for
Blackies party,of exploration. and he
LANDED theR onNthe creek road side of
the farm ina two automobiles and
gasoline buggy.
II know what you want" he said.
4Thess's bunch of lovers lanes down
this way that you'll spoil with electric
slightg,a but they u=maketa flne approach
for the carriage and motor crowd.
First you'll hear the tinkle Of the wa
terfalls: then you'll hear the whiz Of
the roller coaster; then you'll hear the
gi4.of.money.l and that's the end Of
the routey'
Blackie turned to Crompers almost
tearfully. "And to think that we only
[ gave links Woods $1,000 worth Of
stockt. he regretted.
aHe. should be fned," protested
s.Crompers, who could always find the
{ ~ insthe. ointment no matter how mi
'scroscopic. 'If the Clarion and the
.others papers had kept, still about this
tlocation Dad Thompson would have
! been slad 70 sell, his rock farm for lit
ttle o. nothing. There's only hum
drsd acres Of It, and $50 an acre on the
1vsraSe would be an extrsvagant price
for it. That's 5000. Now. with all
I this newspaper talk. he'll probably
want oil fieldsprlces for II"
cts worth. oil field prices to Prize
city enthusiastically stated Blackie.
NBut why talk Of such sordid things as
money. gentlemen, in the face OF such
beauties Of nature?'' !.
"A group Of gentlemen, headed BY
the cQmma0ding figure Of ]. Rufus
.Wallingford. turned out of the woods
at the other end Of the lake. having
! come 81 by the traction entrance. and
I paused abruptly to cast looks of black
1ancorS across the prettdly ripping wa
ter. S>
~Jiminy Jinksl" exploded Woods.
.IooE who else ii herel Foxy Dad
Thompson"
~Hold my hat and saxophone," hur.
1 xiedly directed Blackie. passing over
the former article and merely imagin-
lnx thSs latter, -whereupon. in his bare
4 head and the tails Of his black frock
coat hopping behind him, he sprinted
1t topsspeed toward the gray haired
farnerswho had just emerged from the
woods above the side of the lake.
Waningford, with his weight and dig
nifty. could not afford to sprint, but he
fastened. Dad Thompson was
sturdy, low backed old chap. with q
face the color Of russell apple and
two extremely blue eyes far overhung
~ bushy gray brows.
stWhat will you take for your farm2"
exclaimed Blackie.
II never do business on Sunday" a.
serted Dad Thompson sanctimoniously.
STOW much viii you give7'
Ten thousand dollars. spot cash, on
Monday" Blackie hastily offered
..Wsa.sI couldn't give you any an
ewer today" avowed Mr.. Thompson.
With twinRling eyes. "but that don't
gaeem IKE much Of price"
e .Tt'astNice the value Of your farm"
urged Rlackis.
81 dSdn,t know how valuable It was
an Re all this stun in the papers,"
rstortsdsD
..Is this Mr.. Thompson" asked the
euavs voice OF 'Wallingford.
BIaekie Daw was instantly indignant
e thesintrusion. II beg your pardon.
~" hes objected. cycling Mr.. Walling.
4 ford dercely. II am at present en-
aared with Nj. Thompson In a;per-
fectly private conversation"
Nj. Nv allingford. coldly dignifed.
paid 10 attention to Mr.. DAVIS ob5sc
...Dn..aS.
J, u wSSh to buy this farm, Mr.. Thomp-
son,s 6b.s persisted. 'ifiI can obtain it
Sor ! xs1sonable price. What will you
take az itY'
ri couldn't give you figure. this be-
1ng Sunnay," announced Mr.. Thomp-
oon, but I've just been offered $40, O00"
sI'lEsfive you $4,000" quickly re-
kurnid wailingford.
II might offer you $4,000 IL was
handli6e nothing but other peoples
xnonefyg snapped Mr.. Daw, ''but since
sshAif 10 the funds of my company 10
~ en- I must consult with my part
nss1I
~ him $25,0oO.'' directed Mt.
II sonirefs. at Blackie's elbow. and
/ a. 4 with thin affability to Mr..
4 amInInd. who was just behind Wal
1ofSti1. /. s. ...s s Us
& sflf 500 It S25,00o;r bid Blackis