Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1915-01-16

ming an old sawmin on Ten Mile creek
Mr.. Scribner is a carpenter, but bis
pedigree Is as good as yours"
eff you were man I'd throw you out
Of the Office shouted Jacob Strong.
'But being I'm woman III walk
out as fast as can. / just called to
let you know. Jacob, that have arrtv-
ed in town. Please keep a little track
OF me for the next two weeks, viii
your
The aunt reached home smiling and
chuckling. She laid a hand on Nettie's
head and said soothingly:
81 talked up to old Strong today. II
was right that should. But haven't
spoiled anything. Give me two weeks
and I'll have him here begging you TO
marry his son. You tell the young
man to remain quiet and do nothing
rash. Hilda Bascomb is managing this
affair. which will be one of finance
from now on. and II she makes a fail.
ure It will be for the first time. Now
I've got to go back downtown and see
a lawyer, and then I'll have some rid
ing around the country to do. Oh, but
won't make old Strong jump before
/ am through with himg
In planning for the cannery Mr..
Strong had called upon most of the
farmers and had informed them POM
pously that thereafter he would buy
their tomatoes at the market price.
He had made no definite agreement
with them, however, for be had de
termined to pay a mighty low price
when the time came.
Miss Hilda Bascomb saw lawyers
and had contracts drawn up. With
boy to drive her, she covered most Of
the county the week after the inter
view with the magnate Contracts
were signed right and left, and some
thing was added for secrecy among
the signers.
Meanwhile the tomato cannery was
hurried along, and the fixtures ar
rived to be put In place. In her walks
about the town the spinster met Mr..
Strong several times face to face.
Every time he scowled and she chuck
led There was anxiety at the Scrib-
ners' to learn what was afoOt, but the
only explanation they could get was:
Il am simply doing a little lnancier-
ing to help Cupid and the tomato mar
ket along. When it's time to explode
the torpedo you'll all hear the racket"
She had been IN Strongsville almost
a month when the racket was heard.
The cannery was ready for business,
and the farmers had been notified to
begin delivery on a certain date. The
date came but there were no toma-
toes
A messenger was dispatched with
horse and buggy. He had been back
about half an hour when Miss Bias
comb entered Mr.. Strong's office for
the second time and pumped herself
down in the same chair.
Mr.. Strong was at the telephone. He
was using vigorous language and
dancing around
We'll, and bows the tomato mar
ketT' asked the caller as he glared at
her and rung or.
III is you-you who have done this
thing" he exclaimed. ito revenge your
self! You! You"
Yes. have cornered every tomato
In the county. 1t wasn't for revenge.
but to give Cupid a chance. How much
will you take for your factory, cash
down? 1t hasn't any pedigree to speak
of. but | think Mr. Scribner, the car
penter. can give 1t one"
Il won't sell to you! Your tomatoes
can rot on your hands,
"Oh. no. they won't. Jacobr' chuckled
Miss Hilda. II can sell them at a very
nice profit. But your factory can stand
idle while build one Of my ownl Bet
ter talk business, Jacob Strong. That
son OF yours Is a nice young man. and
think heap OF my niece. It's a love
match. and it would be a pity to see
it broken off. Isn't there some way
that / can turn these tomato contracts
over TO you and let your factory begin
work There's money In the canning
business. aud | don't want to kill an
industry"
Mr.. Strong fought for an hour and
then gave in and shook hands. By the
time the contracts were assigned to
him he was smiling BY the time the
woman In the rusty old bonnet was
ready TO so be was ready to remark
blandly:
Just so, Miss Bascomb; just so. MIR.
and Mrs. Scribner are most worthy
people, and II Horace is in love with
their daughter ! have no objections to
a marriage. He is old enough to judge
for himself. and II is not for me to in
terfere. Good day. ma'am. good day.
and thank you ever so much for call
ing"