Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-05-11
V.
Sizes Up Gordon

"STHE Irish prince" had gained
something of Il reputation for
extravaganza. but he acknowl-
edged himself completely out
shone by the luxury with which Curtis
Gordon had surrounded himself at
Hope. The promoter had spoken OF
his modest living quarters. In reality
they consisted Of Il handsome twenty
room house, furnished With the e.e-
gance of Il Newport cottage.
You wonder. perhaps, why | have
been so cXtravagant with my living
quarters" said Gordon as they walked
into the library. but it is not alone
for myself. You see. l have people as
ISOLATED with ne who arc accustomed
built this house for them. Mrs. Ge-
rard has been kind enough to grace
the establishment with her presence,
and l expect others of my stockholders
to do likewise. You see, | work in the
light, MI. O'Ncil. | insist upon the
broadcast publicity in all my operations,
and to that end | strive to bring my
clients into contact with the under
taking itself. For instance, l am bring
ing 3 party of my stockholders all the
way from New York ut my WI expense
just to show them how their interests
are being administered. | have char
tered Il special train and a ship for
them, and of course they must be
properly entertained while here"
Quite Il scheme" said O'Neil.
II wanted TO show them this marvel
Gus country, Gods wonderland Of OPP
%portunity. They Will return impressed
by the solidity and permanencc Of
their Investment
Il judge from what you say chat the
mine gives encouragement" O'Neil
vcntured, cycling his host %curiously
through Il cloud OF tobacco smoke.
encouragement is not the word.
Before many years Hope Consolidated
will be listed on the exchanges Of the
world along with Amalgamated and
the other great producers. We have
here, Mr.. O'Ncil, a tremendous noun
tain Of ore. located at tidewatcr on
one of the worlds finest harbors. The
climate is superb. We have coal neal
1T hand for our smeltcr. The mine
only requires systematic development
under competent hands,
Il was in Cortez when Lars Ander-
son made his first discovery here. and
l had an option on all this property. /
believe the price was $1,000. At any
rate, it was 1 who drove those tunnels
you found when you bought him out"
Gordon's eyes wavered briefly. then
he laughed.
My dear sir, you have my sincere
sympathy. Your poison. my meat, as
it We're, eh? You became discouraged
too soon. Another hundred feet Of
work and you would have been justi-
fed in paying $1,2O0,0OO. This Eldora-
do which the copper trust has bought
has a greater surface showing than
Hope. / grant. butt lies 200 miles in
land, and there is the all important
question Of transportation to be solved.
The ore will have to be hauled or
smelted On the ground. while we have
the Kyak coal fields at u door. The
Heidlemanns are building q railroad
to it which will parallel mine in places.
but the very nature of their enter
prise foredooms it to failure"
Indeed How So"
MY route is the better. Ey a rigid
economy Of expenditure. by q careful
supervision Of detail. | can effect a trc-
mendous saving YER their initial cost.
| hope to convince them OF the fact
and thus induce them to withdraw
from the field or take over my road ut
"A reasonable figure. NEGOTIATIONS are
under way"
At this talk Of economy from Curtis
Gordon O'Neil refraincd from smiling
with difficulty. He felt certain that
the mans entire operations were as
unsound as his statement that he could