The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-22
BURTOE'S THREE BIS
BY ADELAIDE MASON.

Which ought to mean Benton's
three bad boys, ! suppose?"
A jolly cafe trio, each member
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
the others we're 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 tel! you," answered Tom read
lily. I've thought 1t all out. The other
day saw an advertisement offering
weekly newspaper fer sale at little
county seat. I'm going to buy 1t. I've
a plan to make that step the means
Of booming all of u.s."
And then, Tom Bradley entered into
lengthy explanation.
1T looks to me like a plausible plot
to steal the good will and fat Offices
of a commonwealth" noted Watson.
Behold, three months later, Tom
Bradley installed In the position Of
editor and publisher of the sprightly,
up-to-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 habits were making that OF
him.
The expected summons came for
Ned and Watson, one lay. They had
missed Tom sorely. Life was beccnl-
ing dull to them.
TON writes that he can fit us in
admirably" Watson announced to Ned.
What am l expected to do?" In.
quired Watson.
Take the business management Of
the Monitor. You are to see that 1t
gets advertising and subscriptions.
You're a coed mixer After a spell
you will be eligible for local cffce.
Time will promote you: village clerk,
mayor, legislature. congress, and 80
on"
"H'm!" 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 q working
partner by Tom. The columns OF the
Monitor gave them 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. new
water system and other improvements.
Ned began to experience the thrill
and revenue Of having real clients.
Watson was entranced with the va
riety of acting as q reporter. Work
on the Monitor began to tell. One
day Watson rushed into the news
paper ONCE aname with some new and
exciting Information.
I've struck It, fellows!" he an
! nounced with q triumphant chuckle.
Struck what?" queried Ned and
, Ten In breath.
my level. My engineering ability
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.
Hes a fine old gentleman. with a
hobby--to connect Ferndale with one
of the two railroads. He tried the
scheme two years ago. has the right
of-way, invested one hundred thousand
dollars ana stopped work because he
could get no cooperation or encour-
; agement The minute he talked de-
tails I saw my chance"
What to do?" asked Ned
Garry the scheme through for him.
As a practical engineer, I think I see
my way clear. And say, talking Of
US, the three B's,' what do you th!nk?"
went on the volatile Watson. The
Colonel has three daughters, and they
are 'B's,' toc-bertha, Beatrice,
blanche. Fellows, never saw such
loveliness!"
Wltti1 a month Ferniale was cleo
trihed. 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 well that the Northern line
agreed to pay half the construction
; cost
: Terrdale awoke from It's lethargy.
Business began to hum with the com
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 a great celebration at
Ferndale the day that Ned Burton was
IL ss1 a. -