Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1918-06-20
TICKLE FORTUNE
BY WAVERLY JOHNSON.

burton wayne leIl the lThln ~
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,
glancing down the embankment, no
ticed that the right OF way was bound
ed by fence. Then came strip
about two hundred feet wide and then
a traversible dirt highway, Wayne
descended.
He observed that this strip of land,
extending for a mile or more, was OF
spOngy soil not fit even for grazing,
except where a 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
Il shone as a result Of the use Of ex-
cellent material and expert workman
ship Wayne was thirsty and noticed
a we'll, turned from the road and as
he went up \ grayeled path the APP
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
ais and they were Immaculate. Like
the exterior of the house he seemed
just to have stepped from a paint
pot,
Can | have n drink Of waterT' 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 q
young girl OF perhaps eighteen, a tin
pail in her hand, headed for the well.
She was fitting and harmonious part
of the pleasant prospect. Trim. grace
full, arrayed in pretty calico gown.
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 1t back"
"Well, if you aren't in a 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 n
glass pitcher filed with sparkling well
water and glass Wayne arose and
bowed politely and the manner Of the
girl like that Of the father, was friend
~ and pleasant
She left them and Wayne heard her
chirrup 20 horse grazing near n
small barn outside of which stood
single seated gig. He glided INTO Q
general conversation with his host.
David Bayle was his name.
you see, 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 a show. A slick fell
low CAME along and traded me this
stretch of territory for my business.
| took his word as 10 what you see
here He said the land was right at
n junction that was the railroad key
to the county and bound to be very val
liable In time. Wei. he swindled US,
that's all, and we've made the best Of
1t. I've got little ready cash, but
plning for something TO keep me busy,
and Cora Is lonesome"
GLOW far do you own along the
railrosd?' inquired Wayne.
IAN even mile. There's Cora If
yon won't mind the joltlng it'll be
easier in the old gig than tramplng It."
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
get rid Of the land and settle In some
less uncivillzed spot
ITS futer soliloQuized Wayne. That
same afternoon late, rs he made his
way 10 the place where Miss Kayle
put up the rig.
"Ifs love at first slghtw ne added,
as she appeared.
II am going to ask you to drive me
back to your home" he told the young
girl. You see, I have some business
with your father"
The business" Wayne had worked
up over long distance telephone
big idea had struck HIM.
Il represent the largest billboard
concern I'm the world he told the
wondering father and daughter. "and
the minute | analysed your layout
here | SAW a big speculation. Your
narrow strip is ideal for putting up a
whole raft OF display signs Junction
hundreds OF trains daily, gateway 10
the city-See7 You, Mr.. Bayle shall
superintend the painters. and you.
Miss Rayle. must sketch out some
artistic scenic effects to catch the eye
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