Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-06-14
CHATTER xvllI-contlnued.

For the better part of a fortnight the
tidal waves of prosperity, as evinced
by increasing speculative values. kept
on rolling in. each one apparently lit
tie higher than its immediate prede-
eessor Then the flood began to sub
side. though so slowly that at first it
was only by a careful comparison OF
the daily transfers that the recession
could be measured.
Causes and consequences extraneous
to the city itself contributed to the al
most imperceptible reactionary ten
dency For one he Buekskin Mining
and Milling COMPANY reluctantly aban.
doned It's pastime Of blowing barren
burrows on Jacks mountain, and lit
tie later went into liquidation. as the
phrase ran, though the eastern bond
holders probably called it bankruptcy.
About the same time the great cement
plant, deprived Of the government
market by the slackening OF the work
on the dam, reduced its output to less
than one-fOurth of it's full capacity.
Most portentous of all, perhaps was
the rumor that the placers at Quad
jena. were beginning 20 show signs OF
exhaustion. It was even whispered
about that the two huge gold dredges
recently Installed were not paying the
expenses of operating them.
Quite naturally, the pulse OF the
Wonder city beat sensitive to all these
Oppressive rumors ami incidents. re-
spending slowly at first but a little
later in accelerated throbbIngs which
could no longer be ignored by the most
optimistic bidder at the curb" ex-
changes,
Still there was no panic, AS the &C
tivities in local sales fell of and the
Mirapolitans themselves were no long
er crowding the curbs or standing in
line at the real estate Offices for their
turn at the listings, the prudent ones,
with Mr. Cartwright and ais chosen
associates far in advance OF the field.
were placing Mirapolis holdings tempt
ingly on view in distant markets: plac-
ing them and selling them with
blazonry OF advertising worthy OF the
envy of those who have called them
selves the suburb builders Of Greater
New York.
1t was after this invasion Of the dis
tant market was fully in train that
Cartwright once more sent for Brouil
lard, receiving the engineer this time
in the newest Offices of the power com
pany. on the many-times-bought-a
sold corner opposite Bongras
Hello. Brouillard!" said the mag
nate loosely, indicating a chair and
the never-absent open box Of cigars In
the same gesture. You're getting tc
be as much of a stranger as a man
might wish his worst enemy to be.
you sent for me?" Brouillard broke
In tersely. More and more he was
coming to acknowledge a dull rage
when he heard the call Of his master.
Yes. What about the dam? Is your
work going to start up again2 Or is il
going of for good?"
BrouilIard bit his lip to keep bach
the exclamation of astoundment tha
the blunt inquiry threatened to evoke
To assume that Mr.. Cartwright did no
know all there was TO be known wa,
10 credit the incredible
Il told you a good while ago that
was only the government hired man.
he replied. You doubtless have mucl
better information than any can Civ
you"
You can tell me what your order
are-that's what | want to know
The young chief of constructio
frowned first. then he laughed.
What has given you the impression
that you own me. Mr.. Cartwright?
have often wondered"
Wen, might say that have mad
you what you are, and"
That's true; the truest thing 20
ever said" snapped BroIillard.
And, was going TO add, I can VI
make you just as easily. But / don
want TO be savage with you All IN
asking is little information first. an
q little iudicious help afterward. Wha
are your orders from the department?
Brouillard got Up and stood over tn
stocky man In the Office chair, with tn
black eyes blazing.
Mr. Cartwright. l said a moment ag