Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-09-15
CHAPTER xvIII-continued.

For the better part of q 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-
cessor. Then the flood began to sub
side. though so slowly that at first 1t
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. the Buckskin Mining
and Milling company reluctantly aban-
doned its 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 1t 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 its full capacity.
Most portentous of all. perhaps, was
the rumor that the placers at Quad.
jenai were beginning to 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 and 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.
or 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 his chosen
associates far in advance of the field,
were placing Mirapolis holdings tempt
tngly on view in distant markets; plac-
ing them and selling them with
blaxonry of advertising worthy Of the
envy of those who have called them
selves the suburb builders Of Greater
New York.
Il 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 neutrality-suspicious.
sold corner opposite Bongras'.
Hello. Brouillard!" said the mag
nate loosely, indicating q chair and
the never-absent open box of cigars in
the same gesture. You're getting to
be a. much of q stranger as q man
might wish his worst enemy to be-"
You sent for met" Brouillard broke
In tersely. More and more he was
to acknowledge q dull rage
when he heard the call of his master.
"Yes. What about the dam? Is your
work going to start up again! Or il 1t
going on for good?"
Brouillard bit his lip to keep back
the exclamation of astoundment that
the blunt inquiry threatened to evoke.
To assume that Mr.. Cartwright did not
know all there was to be known was
to credit the incredible.
Il told you q good while ago that l
was only the governments hired man."
he replied. You doubtless have much
better information than any l can give
you"
You can tell me what your orders
are-that's what want to know"
The young chief of construction
frowned first. then he laughed.
What has given you the impression
that you own me. Mr.. Cortwrighti /
have often wondered"
We'll. / might say that have made
vou what you are. and"
That's true: the truest thing you
over said" snapped Brouillard.
And. I was going to add. can un-
make you Just ~ easily. But ! don't |
want to be savage with you. All I'm
asking IL . little information irst, and
! little judicious help afterward. What |
IRE your orders from the Department.
Brouillard got up and stood over the |
stocky man In the ONCE chair, with the |
black eyes blazing.
"Mr. Cortwrisht. said Q moment ago |