Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1918-08-09
A Clean:
Slate
1copyrisht. is1s. west.rn N.wspap.r unioa. )
BIT. B. ANDERSON

Copyright. 1915. Western Nswspapsr Unioa. }
A great sigh of relief escaped the
lips of Howard Merle, as he checked
off varied sums of money set opposite
the names Of individuals, firms and
corporations. The list included all the
debts he owed and now he marked the
last one paid"
"I'm through with that" he solilo-
quized, land don't owe q cent in the
world. am thankful that when the
break came in the market I did not
trust to luck and involve my clients.
It leaves me with only few thousand
dollars, but, at all events, can be-
gin life anew with a clean slate"
1t was new sensation to 60 to his
suite in quiet boarding house and
feel all business slip off his mind. He
had not relative in the world, he was
still young and vigorous, his head was
clear, and he felt that he was fitted
for good, fresh start.
There's possible asset in that little
sixty-acre farm down in Warren coun-
IT," the attorney had said, "but those
Gage people are born litigants. They
hold steadily to their assumed rights.
They have appealed from two decisions
and the litigation will be costly to you.
You say you are going to take trip
for rest and change. Why don't you 60
down to Boydville and find out how
the prospect shows up7"
"Fhe very thing-a fine suggestion"
Merle exclaimed. 1T will give me q
petense Of being busy =.
Ten years previous his. father, then
living, had loaned some money TO the
original owner OF Clover farm. Its
later owner, John Gage, under .a'Quit
claim deed had resisted payment the
first owner having died in the mean
time. The family Of the original own
er had sworn to the payment Of the
borrowed money. but could produce no
receipt. John Gage maintained title
and proved the payment Of fifteen hum
dred dollars for the same. Now, no
longer rich man, the idea of seeking
variety and occupation as an amateur
farmer rather appealed to Merle.
John Gage is dead" he reminded
himself, land according to the lawyer
his daughter, Mercy, is in possession.
If get title will pay her something
to vacate, and try the gentleman farm
er phase. / certainly am tired Of the
city grind" and, three days later, at
the antiQuated hotel Of the quiet pic
turesque town Of Boydville Merle was
registered as Robert Nugent," and
leisurely set about ascertaining the
rights and wrongs Of the Cover farm
litigation. -, '~~: ,:-: :. 49,. = a
-, 1t did not take him long to: gather
from =. local, gossip. that Miss Mercy
Gage was "a general favorite and a
plucky, practical young woman ;believ-
ing in her property: claim as just and
valid. It was reported that she had
made q sacred pledge to her dying f.
ther that she would light for her rights.
to the end. -
1t was early one morning when Merle
went to look over Clover farm. 1t was
q pleasant sight, and more pleasing
one was that Of Miss Gage out among
q maze of berry bushes.
Beyond the young mistress of the
farm were rows Of vegetables, model
chicken yard, a field of corn and an
other of oats. So trinity was every
thing arranged and cared for, that the
little sixty acres surrounding lovely
oh %xxyDA{ of,
everything was in order, presented an
enticing picture.
"I'll never try to win the case" de-
cided Merle. Morally the farm be-
longs to this Industrious marvel, who
had made of it veritable paradise of
beauty" and then he started and lift
ed his hat and was quite embarrassed,
as Miss Mercy approached the fence
where he stood with the practical
query: 1T was about some berries?'
"Why, no." stammered Merle, quite
off his bearings before that lovely face
and it's earnest, probing eyes. IL
am a stranger, spending a brief vaca-
ton in the town, and they told me
about your model farm here, and I
must say 1t deserves all the fine things
they tell about it,
That was the beginning of daily
visit to the farm for the next week.
Somehow admiration for it's brave, in
dustrious mistress grew into sort
of fascination Merle could not resist.
His courtesy and interest in her work
seemed to please Miss Gage, she con-
sented to an automobile ride and at
tended circus entertainment that
came once In two years to the seclud-
ed little town, and they became great
friends. He could not resist the i'm
pulse to tell her of his love one aft
ernoon as they strolled across the
fields.
Il will not deny warm regard for
you," said Mercy, ''but I gave my
sacred promise to my father that
would have but one aim in life, and
would accomplish it, before I thought
of marriage. This farm was his treas
ure, his ideal. 1t was honestly. his,
and l vowed I would fight to retain