The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-01-13
TheIownof
E1ollowen
By EUNlCE BLAKE

the amount sufficient to compete in
trade with the larger concerns doing
business in the city and formed plan
to 80 west and grow up with the coun-
try But with the whole west to
choose from he was at a loss where to
betake himself.
One day he received a circular direct.
ing his attention to the town of Hol
lowell, in a new 6edged state beyond
the Missouri river. The circular named
numerous advantages that Hollowell
possessed. The climate was per-
petual summer; the earth was so rich
that seeds dropped anywhere would
produce in abundance; the water was
as clear as crystal.
That's just what I'm looking fort"
exclaimed Edgar, and he went right
off to his fancee to tell her about 1t.
She was so delighted with the descrip.
ton Of Hollowell that she said nothing
would please her better than to live
in such place, whereupon Edgar
proposed that since the distance there
and return was great they be married
and go there to remain. To this the
young lady agreed. They were wed,
and, prepared to settle in H0llowell.
they started west.
The circular was signed by one AL
phonse Honeydieu. q real estate agent,
who was selling town lots in Hollowell
like hot cakes. Wharton wrote him
that he was coming, and Mr.. Honey
dieu, who proved to be French
Canadian, met him at the station,
handsome brick structure that bespoke
prosperity for the town. He took
them to his house in a $1,000 auto and
insisted on their being his guests while
they looked about them. After rest
overnight he took them on a tour of
inspection, calling their attention to va
rious properties that he had sold and
resod at rising prices, making num-
Der of persons rich. On the outskirts
Of the town was a very large factory
surrounded by forest Of noble trees,
part Of which had been cut down and
the timber removed. Mr.. Honeydieu
explained that the factory was used
for the manufacture Of wood paper
and employed 1900 hands. 1t was
shut down at the time for the purpose
Of putting in additional machinery, but
would be started again in week or
two.
Then the couple were driven back to
the town and stopped at the library,
which had been founded by Mr.. Gard
ner Hollowell, the president and prin-
cipal owner of the wood paper compa-
ny. There was no one in the building
except the librarian, young woman
who was spending her time embroid-
ering. Mr.. Honeydieu explained that
books could be taken from the library
and the citizens Of Hollowell usually
read them in their luxurious homes.
Mr.. Honeydieu told Wharton that
there was a tract of land that he
thought he could get for him at bar
gain in the direction toward which the
town was growing. The owner had re-
Gently died and his estate must be set
tied within given period. There was
but little time to effect sale, and he
thought the property could be bought
for song. In year or two 1t would
be worth fabulous sum. he drove
the bride and groom out to look at it.
and they were much pleased.
Wharton told Honeydieu that he
wouldn't trouble him to take him and
his wife in his auto any more. They
would walk about and see the town
for themselves. The real estate agent
protested against this, saying that his
car was especially intended for his
clients; that he expected a dozen or
two at once in few days, but. just
now there was an interval. He
couldn't think of permitting them to
walk. Edgar insisted, and Honeydieu,
when he found that he couldn't pre-.
vent Wharton from having his own
way, reluctantly consented.
When they We're alone Mrs. Wharton
remarked to her husband that for such
prosperous place Hollowell looked
very quiet. Mr.. Wharton said that
there were not SO many persons In the
streets as might have been expected
Meeting man, Wharton stopped him
and was on the point of asking him
some questions about the location
when Honeydieu swung around cor
ner in his car, interrupting the con-
versation by telling Wharton that he
had got price on the property he
had shown him so low that it fairly
A<,n1> hio hroafh owav
Mrs. Wharton expressed desire to
do some shopping and insisted on her
husband accompanying her. This shut
OF Mr.. Honeydieu, and the couple
were left to themselves. Entering
dry goods store, a clerk who had evil
lently been asleep came forward.
whats the matter with this placer
asked Mrs. Wharton. There are
number Of attractive buildings, and 1t
looks prosperous. but. there are few
people in the streets, and there is an
absence Of hurry"
II don't mind telling you" said the
clerk. "since I'm going away tomor-
tow, that the town was built by the