The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-24
BURTOR'S THREE BIS
BY ADELAIDE MASON.

l
A jolly cafe trio, each member
laughed boisterously. Their designa-
ton as "the three BIS" had not been
at all creditably won.
Ned Burton had recklessly given the
toast. Watson Bross had echoed the
sentiment. Tom Bradley was silent
He drank with the others, but there
was no jolly smile on his face. AS
the others were about to arise and
leave the table. he checked them with
a mandatory gesture.
I've something to say" explained
Tom. 1T won't take long: Fellows.
I'm through"
Upon my word, he's in earnest"
cried Watson.
Turned reformer!" laughed Ned
All right, though. I'm sick Of the
dull routine they call fun. What have
you to suggest?"
I'll tell you," answered Tom read
lily. I've thought it all out The other
day saw an advertisement offering
weekly newspaper for sale at little
county seat. I'm going to buy It, I've
a plan to make that step the means
Of booming all Of u.s.
And then, Tom Bradley entered into
a lengthy explanation.
1T looks to me like a plausible plot
to steal the good will and fat Offices
of commonwealth" noted Watson.
Behold, three months later, Tom
NOT naI IT, h4 Nf
editor and publisher of the sprightly.
upto-date Ferndale Monitor He con-
graduated himself on his investment.
His success was pleasing His brisk
genial ways made friends for him on
every side. Within a few weeks he
had got to love his work He felt like
new man, for early hours and tenn
perate hsbits were making that OF
him.
The expected summons came for
Ned and Watson, one lay. They had
missed Ten sorely. Life was beccTn-
ing dull to them.
TOW writes that he can fit us in
admirably" Watson announced to Ned
What am l expected to do?" in.
quirei Watson.
Take the business management of
the Monitor. ycu are to see that it
gets advertising and subscriptions
You're coed mixer. After a spell
you will be eligible for local cf!ice
Time vii, promote you: village clerk,
mayor, legislature, congress, and SO
on"
HIM" reflected Watson-"that
isn't SO bad. I'm willing to enlist"
So, one day Watson and Ned ar
rived in Ferndale. The latter set up
an Office as lawyer. The former, in
cidentally, was secured as a working
partner by Tom. The columns OF the
Monitor gave them a splendid send
off. Each week thereafter there came
due publicity.
The village was isolated from rail
connections. Two lines ran twenty
miles apart and each ten miles from
Ferndale. The Monitor began to speak
OF an electric line, gas works, a new
water system and other improvements.
Ned began to experience the thrill
sshN AOvOhuO VI having AC0A ClACuSbs
Watson was entranced with the va
riety Of acting as a reporter Work
on the Monitor began to tell. One
day Watson rushed into the news.
paper Office aflame with some new AID
exciting Information.
i've struck it. fellows!" he an
nounced with triumphant chuckle.
Struck what?" queried Ned and
Ten In breath.
my level. My engineering ability
has come to the front at last. What
do you think: looking up particulars
as to the fall crops, came across a
fine old place outside the town here
owned by Colonel Huntington"
I've heard Of him. Sort of an aris-
tocrat, isn't he?" questioned Ned.
He's fine old gentleman, with
hobby-to connect Ferndale with one
Of the two railroads. He tried the i
scheme two years ago, has the right
of-way, invested one hundred thousand
dollars and stopped work because he
could get no cooperation or encour- |
agement. The minute he talked de- |
tails saw my chance"
What to do?" asked Ned.
Garry the scheme through for him.
As a practical engineer, ! think l see
my way clear. And say talking Of
us, the three B's,' what do you th,nk?"
went en- the volatile Watson. The
Colonel has three daughters, and they
are BIS too-bertAa, Beatrice,
blanche. Fellows, l never saw such
loveiiIess!"
Within month Ferndale was cleo
trified. Smart, able Watson Bross
had played the two steam roads one
against the other as tc the proposed
connection with Ferndale He bar
gained 80 we'll that the Northern line
agreed to pay half the construction
cost
Terrdale awoke from its lethargy.
Business began to hum with the corn
pleticn Of the new spur, OF which Wat
son Bross became chief engineer.
And then came a natural and happy
mating. Three bright. pretty girls,
three brisk, handsome young men.
There was no clash. Watson took to
Bertha from the first. Ned was at
tracted by Blanche the moment he set
eyes upon her. Watson found an
agreeable companion in Beatrice.
There was great celebration at
CerDdale tha dav that Nod purtnn mo. |