The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-07-10
TICKLE FORTUNE
BY WAVERLY JOHNSON.

Burton Wayne left the train at
South Junction and started down the
roadbed back the way he had come
He had been doing when the cOnduc-
tor called out Wadhams and had been
carried five miles beyond his station.
The rOadbed was stone ballasted
and not easy to the feet. Wayne,
ticed that the right Of way was bound
ed by a fence. Then came a strip
about two hundred feet wide and then
traversible dirt highway, Wayne
descended
He observed that this strip of land,
spongy soil not fit even for grazing,
except where little knoll presented,
and upon this was a small house one
story high, square and compact, an
ideal of neatness and taste in the CEN
ter of an inviting patch of worthless,
useless ground.
The house was painted freshly and
it shOne as result of the use of ex-
cellent material and expert workman
Ship. Wayne was thirsty and noticed
q well, turned from the road and as
he went up a graveled path the ap-
parent owner of the place appeared at
the open doorway.
He was a middle aged man, erect,
active looking and clean appearing.
He wore white duck jumpers and over
alls and they were immaculate. Like
the exterior of the house he seemed
just to have stepped from a paint
pot.
"Can / have a drink of water?" be-
gan Wayne, and paused, dazzled, as if
all he saw was part OF, some moving
picture. Another character in it's en-
semble had appeared. This was a
young girl Of perhaps eighteen, tin
pal LIP her hand, headed for the we'll
She was a fitting and harmonious part
of the pleasant prospect. Trim, grace
full, arrayed in pretty calico gown,
she emphasized the wholesome aspect
of the environment.
"Sit down, won't your invited
Wayne's host, and moved towards a
garden bench near by. Bound for
Wadham?"
"Why, yes" explained Wayne. 81
slept past my station and will have to
foot it back"
"Well, If you aren't in hurry
fancy we can help. you on your way.
My daughter, Cora, will drive to Wad-
ham in about half an hour. She's
taken up drawing at the college there"
Just then the girl appeared with a
glass pitcher filled with sparkling well
water and a glass. Wayne arose and
bowed politely and the manner Of the
girl, like that Of the father, was friend
ly and pleasant.
She left them and Wayne heard her
chirrup to horse grazing near a
small barn outside Of which stood a
single seated gig. He elided into a
general conversation with his host.
David Bayle was his name.
"YOu see, was painter in the
city," narrated Rogers. "Not an ar
tist-nO, Cora seems to have all the
genius in that direction. Scenes, most
pleasure parks. band stages and all
that. We were cOoped up and 1t
didn't give Cora a show. A slick fell
low came along and traded NE this
stretch of territory for my business.
took his word as to what you see
here. He said the land was right at
junction that was the railroad key
to the county and bound to be very val
liable in time. Well, he swindled us,
that's all, and we've made the best of
it. I've got little ready cash. but
pining for something to keep NE busy,
and Cora is lonesome"
"How far do you own along the
railroad?" inquired Wayne.
"An even mile There's Cora. IF
yon won't mind the jolting it'll be
easier In the old gig than tramping II"
She was the pleasantest brightest
little fairy Wayne had ever met, this
clear-eyed dimpled girl. and by the
/ time they reached Wadham, they were
quite friendly. In her simple way
+ she told Of her school life, her artistic
ambitions. her hopes that they could
got rid of the land and settle in some
less uncvilized spot
IT'S fate!s soliloquized Wayne. That
same afternoon late, as he made his
way to the place where Miss Bayle
put up the rig.
"It's love at first sight ~ he added.
; as she appeared.
II am going to ask you to drive me
back to your home" he told the young
/ girl. "You see, have some business
with your father
The business" Wayne had worked
up over long distance telephone A
big idea had struck HIM.
II represent the largest billboard
concern in the world" he told the
wondering father and daughter, "and
the minute l analysed your layout
here saw big speculation. Your
narrow strip is ideal for putting up
whole raft of display signs Junction,
hundreds of trains daily, gateway to
the city-see? You, Mr. Bayle shall