The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-06
James Pike
OF Pkevlle.
Bv EVERETT P. CLARKE

oEeO anu eAplolteu ~ JAh : AA-' "o
was as big a rascal as ever lived. !
There was not an ounce of gold within
two miles of the place except wnat
Jim had put there from some other
mine, but 1t was enough when mixed.
with q certain red ore there was on the
property be had staked out to sell to-
others to convince hungry gold hunters
that he had struck 1t rich.
When therefore he gave out that he
had several hundred acres and couldn't
work more than oneacre himself every
body elamored to- buy a small slice OF
bis surplus. 1t required a lot OF per-
suading to induce him to sell. and
every time he sold a lot he seemed to-
be heartbroken. There goes a for
tun'." he would say. lust because
haven't the funds to get 1t out O. the
ground"
Nevertheless Jim was always per-
suaded, and IL the would be purchaser
hadn't the cash to buy with he would
Just as favor-take anything he could
get. He sold one man who was down
on his luck lot fifty feet by fifty for
a revolver. This transaction was talk
ed about. and any man who had a
horse, q watch or an old fiddle would
20 to Jim Pike and buy bit Of ground
with It,
But none of these investors got any
gold out of their lots. First there was
grumbling: then there was cursing. and
at last there was a putting together OF
heads. and the opinion was promulgat-
ed that Pike had swindled the pur-
chasers. Those who had. bought the
best and largest tracts for cash con-
suited as to how they could get their
money back: those who had bought
with cats and dogs were not so
wrought up, but among the whole there
grew up disposition to prevent Pike
from getting away from the place with
the booty.
Pike had a deep insight into human
nature. 1t was his opinion that those
who have been swindled once might be
swindled again. Moreover. he believed
that II Is easier to swindle a commur
nifty than an individual. That's the
plan" he said, "On which promoters
work. II Tom Is satisfied that a GER
tain scheme h a good one Dick is ready
to follow Tom. and the two together
bring in Harry. Tom. Dick and Harry
bring in the multitude"
So Mr.. Pike concluded that. having
by one swindle made nucleus for
another. he bethought himself what
that other one should be. The object
Of his second scheme was not to take
any more money out Of the citizens Of
Pikeville. for he had got about all there
was. What he desired was to get away
with his plumber.
He gave out that In the kindness Of
his heart he had taken many odds and
ends for his property for which he
had no use. He had decided to lump
them and raffie them. He thought
there were $1,000 worth Of them. but
he would call It $500.
Those who had invested money In
Pikeville lots scorned to invest In
Pixies lottery. Those who had lost
nothing Of moment. thinking that these
neighbors had bought with more val
liable articles than himself and that
the collection would be fine thing to
have. took shares. In this way 300
shares were sold to the most gullible
Of the population. Pike not only took
the remaining 200 shares himself. but
pledged himself II he won to put the
names Of those holding shares in hat
and let little child. blindfolded. dra W
name. To the person whose name
was dra wn he would turn over the ar.
ticles ratified for.
This seemed so fair. SO generous,
that 1t caused quite revulsion in
Pixies favor. Those who had sneered
at him did not do so any more for
fear of exciting hostility against them.
J selves. Indeed. there were several
fights between scoffers and sharehold.
ers in the lottery.
While the shares were being sub.
scribed for the articles to be ratified
/ were exhibited. In Pixies yard were
two horses. both blind. a COW. three
were fishing rods. musical Instruments
several articles of furniture. some rugs
much worn-and small articles OF
every description down to jewsharp.
When the collection had been ex
hibited long enough to give every one
sight. though too short to enable any
one to judge Of Its worthlessness, II
was announced that the drawing would
take place the next evening at o'clock
little girl six years old was blind
folded. II plug hat with 500 names in
h-2O being Pike's-was placed be.
fore her. she put In her hand and drew
out the name OF James Pike.
Mr.. Pike stepped forth and said tina,
he had understood there was some
error in the names in the hat, tina,
they would be carefully examined and
the final drawing would take place a,
10 O'Clock the next morning There
was a cheer at this. and the generous
Mr.. Pike bowed and smiled affably.
The citizens OF Pikeville arose the
next morning much excited. They had
fed on excitement for months, and the
feast had now reached a climax. Alsc
there was a sudden fall: The articles
to be ratified for were all at hand. bu,
the raffier had departed.
The singular part of this story is that
while the shareholders might have
drawn lots for the collection of articles
that had been put up, not a person
made any move to do So The live
stock scattered In search Of food and
most Of the other things were broken
! np BY the children.