The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-25
lanes Pike
OF Pikevine
By EVERETT P. CLARKE

mine, but it was enough when mixed
with q certain red ore there was on the II
property he had staked out to sell to
others to convince hungry gold hunters X
hat he had struck 1t rich. III
When therefore he gave out that he
had several hundred acres and couldn't
work more than one acre himself every
body clamored to buy q small slice OF
his surplus. 1t required lot Of per
suading to induce him to sell. and
every time be sold q lot he seemed to
be heartbroken. There goes . for.
tun," he would say, lust because ]
haven't the funds to get It QUITO the
ground"
Nevertheless Jim was always per-
suaded, and II the would be purchaser
hadn't the cash to buy with he would
Just as favor-take anything he could
get He sold one man who was down
on his luck a lot fifty feet by 6fty for
a revolver. This transaction was talk
ed about, and any man who had a
horse, a watch or an old fiddle would
20 to Jim Pike and buy bit Of ground
with 1t.
But none Of these investors got any
gold out Of their lots. First there was
grumbling: then there was cursing. and
at last there was putting together OF
heads, and the opinion was promulgat-
ed that Pike had swindled the pur- !
chasers. Those who had bought the |
best and largest tracts for cash con-
suited as to how they could get their
money back: those who had bought
with cats and dogs were not so
wrought up, but among the whole there
grew I'D disposition to prevent Pike
from getting away from the place with
the booty
Pike had a deep insight into human
nature. 1t was his opinion that those
who have been swindled once might be
swindled again. Moreover. he believed
that 1t Is easier to swindle a commu-
nifty than an individual. That's the
plan" he said, ION which promoters
work. If Tom is satisfied that GER
, tain scheme is a good one Dick Is ready
to follow Tom, and the two together
bring in Harry. Tom. Dick and Harry
bring in the multitude.
So Mr.. Pike concluded that, having
by one swindle made a nucleus for
another, he bethought himself what
that other one should be. The object
Of his second scheme was not to take
any more money out Of the citizens Of
Pikeville. for he had got about all there
was. What he desired was to get away
with his plumber.
He gave out that in the kindness OF
his heart he had taken many odds and
ends for his property for which he
had no use. He had decided to lump
them and rattle them. He thought
there were $1,000 worth Of them. but
he would call 1t $500.
Those who had invested money In
!, Pikeville lots scorned to invest In
, Pixies lottery. Those who had lost
nothing of moment. thinking that these
neighbors had bought with more val
liable articles than himself and that
the collection would be q fine thing t.
i. have, took shares. In this way 3O(
4 shares were sold to the most gulliblt
Of the population. Pike not only tool
2 the remaining 200 shares himself, bu
n pledged himself If he won to put thu
- names Of those holding shares In ha
and let little child, blindfolded, draw
a name. To the person whose nam
- was drawn he would turn over the ar
. ticles ratified for.
' This seemed so fair. SO generous
' that it caused quite revulsion 4
q Pixies favor. Those who had sneere
= at him did not do so any more 70
fear Of exciting hostility against then
selves. Indeed. there were sewers
fights between scoffers and shareholt
v ers in the lottery.
While the shares were being sui
: scribed for the articles to be rattle
were exhibited. In Pixies yard Wei
two horses. both blind. a COW. thre
V. dogs and a goat In his living rool
were fishing rods. musical instrument
e several articles Of furniture. some rus
much worn-and small articles (
- every description down to jewsharp
When the collection had been e.
hibited long enough to give every OF
a sight. though too short to enable ar
n one to Judge of Its worthlessness.
,r, was announced that the drawing won
ely take place the next evening at o'cloc
RI A little girl six years old was bin
. folded, u plug hat with 500 names
I, it-20O being Pikes-was placed b
= fore her. she put In her hand and DIRE
out the name Of James Pike.
he Mr.. Pike stepped forth and said tn
as- he had understood there was sor
N error in the names in the hat. tn
ID they would be carefully examined Al
the final drawing would take place
NJ 10 o'clock the next morning. The
~ was cheer at this. and the genera
AZ Mr.. Pike bowed and smiled affably.
The citizens Of Pikeville arose t
or, next morning much excited. They b
raj fed on excitement for months, and
feast had now reached a climax. Al
r. there was a sudden fall. The artic
IAN to be raf1ed for were all at hand.
the rather had departed.
lel' The singular part of this story is tn
while the shareholders might ha
an drawn lots for the collection Of artic
w. that had been put up. not pers
made any move to do so. The l
stock scattered In search Of food a
A. most Of the other things were broi
:, up by the children.