The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-01-26
GEORGE RANDOLPH CHESTFR-


Sorry, Jonesy, old top" chuckIed
Blackie, spreading out his cards. "a
row of pink ones. First one I ever
held among friends, and I'm no gentle
man to play it. Is there a hole in my
mine?"
Hundred foot shaft, and well ripen-
ed at that" Onion told him as he re
gretfuI1y loaned Blackie the wide rub
Der band, which had not been includ-
ed in the betting. son the level, hate
to give up that mine, Blackie. That
shaft was dug fifteen years ago by
coal prospectors, and since then its
been the basis OF two dozen highly sue
cessfu1 companies. I've organized it
myself seven times and sold the stock.
and bought it in again after the first
assay. / consider it one of the best
mines in the east for copper, lead, an
timony, bismuth, sulphur or sapphires.
I'll give you my check for a hundred
for those certificates. They're still in
blank, ready to make out to anybody
and he whipped out bis ever ready
check book.
Blackie eyed it with grin. 'sNJot
meaning to hurt your feelings, Jones;
but I'd rather have the mine, he de-
cided. 1T can never be so humiliat-
ing
Blackie Daw. INDUCING inla friend
~ chat with Doe Otis N the 1atter's
rooms, three days later, was inter
rupted by a telephone ring, in the
midst of fool eulogy of the saxophone
as a means of enlarging the soul
In spite of warning, they were
scarcely prepared for the real shock
of Henry 2. Grouge The feature OF
hks countenance that was so unfair a
sAst of politeness was his mouth, the
lips OF which had been so tightly com
pressed during a lifetime of determi-
nation to get ttEle best Of it, that
they seemed TO have been gradually
swallowed, nor was he In any way
abashed by the splendor of the apart
ment or by the two splendidly dressed
gentlemen who received him. He was
only resentfuL
(which one is Mr.. Daw?', he in
quired, sliding into the nearest chair,
and holding to the hat which Otis had
tried to take from him
ttThis gentleman" stated Otis, indi-
eating Blaekie with courtly grace, and
thereupon he retired into the adjO3D-
ing room.
Mr.. Grouge, following the insulting
spotted eyes.
ssSo, only a wealthy friend, denied
BlackIe, somehow wishing for J. Ru-
3us WaIlingfor1.
"Oh,s responded the caller in most
uncomplimentary tone. Il just come
from W. o. Jones, Mr. DaW.
1.-The vindictive cuss," soberly com-
mented BIackie- II hope there is
something can do for both Of YOU
-sWell, I don't know about Mr.. Jones' p
returned the visitor, with grin which
was worse than the frown of his
mouth. mo. 1, that's my motto. Mr..
Jones told me that you are president
and manager of the Cinder Heap Min
ing company
Blackie caught his cue with q prompt
ness of which he intended to brag to
Jim Wallingford 'eThe stockholders
have done me that honor. he proudly
| acquiesced.
ssWeIl, I didn't have anything to say
! about it, but L suppose I didn't buy
my stock in time. grudgingly admit
ted Mr.. Grouge. 1--WE got a thousand
shares. and I didn't know but what,
since you hold so much Of it, you might
! want to buy up these and he pro
duced the familiar purple certificate,
e"Ten red stacks or two blues, com
mented Blaekfe, with reminiscent
| smile ssFriend Jones had on his kid
! ding clothes. guess. / have more
of those negotiable securities than
can bet with
s'It's a fine miner urged Mr.. Grouge
eagerly. Il was down to HeapVille
looking ii. over. 1 just got back last
! night They've got a hundred FOOT
shaft dug .
$50 I'm told corroborated Blackie.
ct understand there has never been a
more perfect hole dug than that one
tsHave you been down to Heapy1llet
querfed Mr.. Grouge with suppressed
anxiety.
mot vet" answered BIaclie. 1.-THE
! mine is. of course, very rich.a
Everybody at HeapviIle thinks so,
instantly stated Mr.. Grouge. ssThey re
all excited about it. Now, have to
go out west and can't stay around to
watch things the way I'd ought to, so
if you want to buy my stock III sell st
to, you for a mighty reasonable price,
What did you pay for yours p
Blackie grinned as he thought Of his
royal flush. 81 produced something
extremely valuable for it" he inform
ed his fellow stockholder, "a commodt
ty so rare and in such eager demand
that Mr.. Jones relinquished his stoch
at the mere sight of it"
'I'n take Just ordinary cash fol
mine,'' Immediately suggested Mr.
| Grouge.
Sorry / can't spare any cash" said
/ Blackie ST might play you seven
up for it, but money is different. :"
eth give you a bargain persisted
Mr.. Grouge-