The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-01-14


! Mr. Scribner is 4 carpenter. but his
| pedigree is as good as yours"
IF you were man Id throw you out
of the Office shouted Jacob Strong.
But being I'm a woman III walk
out us fast as | can. just called to
let you know. Jacob, that | have arriv-
ed in town. Please keep a little track
of sme for the next two weeks. will
you?'
The aunt reached home smiling and
chuckling. She laid Il hand on Nettie's
head and said soothinGly:
Il talked up to old Strong today. 1t
was right that should. But haven't
spoiled anything. Give me two weeks
and III have him here begging YOU TO
marry his son. You tell the young
man to remain quiet and do, nothing
rash. HiIda Bascomb is managing this
affair, Which will be one of finance
from now on, and If she makes 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
l am through with him.
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 ut the market price.
He had made no definite agreement
with them. however, for he had de-
termined to pay a mighty low price
WHEN the time came.
Miss Hilda Bascomb saw lawyers
and had contracts drawn up. With a
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 i'll place. In her walks
about the town the splnster 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:
II am simply doing little fnancier-
ing to help Cupid and the tomato mar
ket along When it's time to explode
the torpedo you'H all hear the racket"
She had been in Suongsville almost
month when the racket was heard.
The cannery was ready for business,
and the farmers had been notified To
begin delivery ON certain date. The
date came, but there We're no toma-
toes.
A messenger was dispatched with
horse and buggy He had been back
about half an hour when Miss Bas-
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
well, and hows the tomato mar
ketT asked the caller as he glared at
her and rung off.
1T is you-you who have done this
thing he exclaimed, ito revenge your
self, Youl Your 4e
Eyes. have cornered every tomato
IN the county. 1t wasn't for revenge.
but to give Cupid chance. How much
will you take for your factory. cash
down? II hasn't any pedigree to speak
of, but think Mr.. Scribner, the car
penter can give it one
Il won't sell to you. Your tomatoes
can rot on your hands,"
"Oh, no, they won't, Jacob chucklcd
Miss Hlda. II can sell them Mt u very
nice profit But your factory can stand
idle while build one of my own, Bet
ter talk business. Jacob Strong. That
son of yours is nice young man, and
| think heap of my niece. It's love
match. and II would be pity 10 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. ana don't want 10 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 go he was ready to remark
dandy:
lust so, Miss Bascomb; Just so. Mr..
md Mrs. Scribner are most worthy
people. and If Horace IS in love with
heir daughter | have no objections to
4 marriage He Is old enough to judge
FOR himself, and it is not for me to In
-erfere. Good day, ma'am. good day.
md thank you ever so much for call
ng."