Catoctin clarion., 1918-05-23
NO.11
TICKLE FORTUNE
BY WAvERLY JOHNSON.

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,
Glancng down the embankment, no
ticed that the right Of way was bound
ed by fence. Then came a strip
about two hundred feet wide and then
Il traversible dirt highway, Wayne
descended.
He observed that this strip of land,
extending for mile or more, was OF
spongy soil not fit even for grazing,
except where little knoll presented,
and upon this was 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
1t shone as a result of the use Of ex-
cellent material and expert workman
ship. Wayne was thirsty and noticed
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 middle aged man, erect,
active looking and clean appearing.
He wore white duck jumpers and over
als and they We're immaculate. Like
the exterior of the house he seemed
just to have stepped from a paint
pot.
"Can I have a drink of water? be-
gan Wayne, and paused, dazzled, as IT
all he saw was part Of some moving
picture. Another character in its en-
semble had appeared. This was
young girl Of perhaps eighteen, a tin
pail in her hand, headed for the well.
She was a fitting and harmonious part
of the pleasant prospect. Trim, grace
full arrayed in a pretty calico gown.
she emphasized the wholesome aspect
of the environment.
"Sit down, won't you?" invited
Wayne's host, and moved towards
garden bench near by. Bound for
Wadham?'
"Why yes" explained Wayne. II
slept past my station and will have to
foot II back"
well, If you aren't in n 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
glass pitcher filled with sparkling we'll
water and 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
small barn outside of which stood
single seated gig. He glided into
general conversation with his host.
David Bayle was his name.
"You. see, I was painter, In the
city" narrated Rogers. mot an ar
tist-no, Cora seems to have all the
genius in that direction. Scenes, most
ly, mine, and big landscape stuff for
pleasure parks, band stages and all
that. We We're cOoped up and 1t
didn't give Cora show. A slick fell
low came along and traded me this
stretch of territory for my business.
took his word as to what you see
here. He said the land was right at
a 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
plnn@ for something to keep me busy.
and Cora Is lonesome"
"How far do you own along the
ralroad?" inquired Wayne.
"An even mile. There's Cora. If
Won won't mind the jolting, it'll be
easier in the old gig than tramping it,
She was the pleasantest brightest
l:ttle 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
get rid of the land and settle In some
less uncivilized spot
ITS fate!" soliloquized Wayne. That
same afternoon late, rs he made his
way to the place where Miss Bayle
put up the rig.
ITS love at first sight! |" he added,
as she appeared.
"I 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 "husiness" Wayne had worked
up over long distance telephone.
big idea had struck hlnl.
81 represent the largest billboard
concern in the world" he told the
wondering father and daughter, "and
the minute | analyZed 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
superintend the painters, and you,
Miss Bnylc. must sketch out some
artistic scenic effects to catch the eye.
| have phoned my house, Mr.. Bayle,
and am ready to make ten-year lease
of your patch of ground at $4,000
year. What do you say?"
"Well, I'd sell II outright for half
of thatr blurted out the honest old
fellow.
"Never mind that" responded
Wayne. ~ want to see you get fair
and square bargain. You can move
to town after that Job Is done and live