Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-01-19
mo. but this is his office"

mo, but this is his office"
Ezra Fletcher, the honest broker7"
observed the visitor.
where did you get that? It's true,
but you are a stranger, and"
I'm David Moore. from Colorado"
announced the little man. Il lived
where Tom Ward used to live, one of
Fletcher's customers, who sold his
ranch for him and got him out of the
clutches of some real estate sharks"
~ remember" nodded Ward.
And charged the poor fellow a mere
tritle for all of his good work."
Seeing he was poor, yes. Why not?
That's Mr.. Fletcher's way"
Il understood that" replied the
westerner promptly, land I've come to
put my belongings into his hands for
sale. You see, since my wife died
Nancy and me are lonely, away out
there. I've got a thousand-acre ranch
and five hundred acres of timber. Pm
ready to sacrifice for the ready cash,
for ! want to settle down in the city
here, where Nancy can enjoy civil.
zatiOn."
Because, you see," put in the ire
pressible Nancy, drolly, I'm uncivil-
led"
Ward directed a full admiring
glance at her which she could not
mistake, and she flushed deliciously.
His ardent eyes said plainly: You
are the sweetest wild prairie rose, and
you know | think So"
Ward explained the absence of
Fletcher, whom he termed my part
ner," fer reasons of business policy.
Then the little man unfolded his plans.
Ward analysed them with interest.
Moore was shrewd, but outspoken. He
bIuntly stated that he would take ten
thousand dollars for the timber lot"
But it's worth twenty" insisted
Ward.
Then take off your jacket and make
the difference for yourself" advised
his client. won't you sort of get
Nancy and me located somewhere re-
spectacle, till we get our money and
our bearings?"
Delightful task! John Ward passed
some time with the interesting couple,
domiciling them in a comfortable fam
lily hotel, directing them generally, and
within the week selling the timber
tract at an advance that gave him 3d.
600 commission.
He asked Moore for a 30-days' OPP
ton on the ranch at his own figure,
readily granted. Then the excited,
big-hearted fellow had two sole OBJ
jectsS in life-tO prepare a vast sur
prise for Fletcher, and to win the love
of the enchanting little creature who
had brought sunshine and ambition
into his life.
1t was at the end of two weeks that
Ward received a letter from Fletcher.
The latter was coming back to sell out
his few office traps, return to Mound
vile and settle down into a clerkship
position. Ward met him at the train
when it arrived in the city.
Moved the office since you went
away" he reported.
what was that for7"
Business demands" responded
Ward coolly. Look there" and he
pointed to the second story of a cen
trail business building, across the plate
glass windows of which was the name
in great gold letters:
"Fletcher & Company, Brokers'"
"See here" gasped Fletcher.
mo, see there" and Ward proudly
exhibited a bank book showing $4,000
in the name of his self-constituted
firm. Luck has come our way, Mr..
Fletcher, and what brought it was
what told you were valuable assets
honesty and ability"
There was a double wedding. Ezra
Fletcher went back to Moundville, but
only to wed and bring back his charm
ing fiancee to the city, where Ward and
happy-hearted Nancy Moore were
oWoitiup thom