Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1917-01-04
CHAPTER XXI.
The Vision.

w days the burned area was all
rebuilt. It took us just about
the former period Of time to determine
that we would be unable to save any
thing from the wreck and about the
latter period for the general public to
find it out.
Talbot made desperate efforts for a
foothold and in succession interviewed
all the big men. They were sorry, but
they were firm. Each had been hard
hit by the fire; each had himself to
cover; each was forced by circum-
stances to grasp every advantage.
Again they were sorry.
eyes, they are!' cried Talbot. "They
just reach out and grab what ought to
be my profits. Well, it's the game. I'd
do the same myself"
By that night we knew that Talbot
had lost every piece of property he
oWned-or thought he owned. The de-
structiOn of the Ward block swept
away every cent Of income, with the
exception Of the dividends from the
Wharf company stock. These latter
could not begin to meet the obligations
Of interest and agreed payments on the
other property.
The state Of affairs became common
ly known in about ten days simply be-
cause in those rapid times obligations
were never made nor money lent for
longer periods than one month. At the
end of each thirty days they had to be
renewed Naturally Talbot could not
renew them
We knew all that long in advance,
and we faced the situation with some
humOr.
"Well, boys" said Talbot, here we
are. About year ago, as | remember
it, our assets were a bundle Of news.
papers and less than 500. Haven't
even got newspaper now, but l
scrape up the $100."
1--WE got nearer $2,7OO in my belt" I
pointed out.
An embarrassed silence fell for mo
ment, then Talbot spoke up, picking
his words very carefully.
we We tdlNtNt IudL ONSl, Il
said he, land we've come to the conclu-
sion that you must keep that and go
home, just as you planned to do.
You're the only man of us who has
managed to keep what he has made.
Johnny falls overheard and leaves his
in the bottom of the Sacramento; Yank
gets himself busted in a road agent
row. I-I-well, l blow soap bubbles
You've kept at it steady and strong and
reliable, and you deserve your good
luck. You shouldn't lose the fruits of
your labor because we, each in our
manner have been assorted fools"
l listened to this speech with grow
ing Indignation and at it's conclusion
rose up full of what I considered right
eous anger. My temper is very slow
to rouse, but when once it wakes it
takes possession of me.
Look here, you fellows" l cried,
very red in the face, they tell me, you
answer me few questions. Are we
Or are we not partners? Are we or are
we not friends? Do you or do you not
| consider me low lived, white liyered.
NANCY. good for nothing yellow pup?
| Why, confOund your pusillanimOuS
souls. what do you mean by talking to
me in that fashion? For just about
cents "a bust your fool necks for you
every one Of youw I glared vindic-
lively at them. do you suppose I'd
make any such proposition to any OF
yOu-to ask You to sneak off like d
whipped cur, leaving me to take the
Hold on. Frank" interposed Talbo.
soothingly. Il didn't mean
Didn't you?" l cried well whaj
did you mean? Weren't you trying to
make me out a quitter?" l had sue
ceeded in working loose my heavy gold
belt, and / dashed it on the table il
front of them. There. Now. yo;
send for some gold scales right nov
and you divide that up. Right here
Hang it all. boys" l ended. with whn'
to a cynical bystander would harl
seemed rather a funny slump into tE
pathetic. Il thought We We're all rec
friends. You've hurt my feelings
1t was very young and very ridden
lous and perhaps-I can say it fro
the vantage Of fifty years-just a 'lit.i