The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1918-06-28
TICKLE FORTUNE
BY WAvERLY JOHNSON.

roadbed back the way he had come.
He had been doing when the conduc-
tor called out Wadbams 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 a fence. Then came strip
about two hundred feet wide and then
4escended.
He observed that this strip of land,
extending for mile or more, was OF
xpongy 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
1t 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 graveled path the APP
parent owner of the place appeared at
the open doorway.
4. He was q middle aged man, erect,
active looking and clean appearing.
He wore white duck jumpers and over
aIls and they were immaculate. Like
Uhe exterior of the house he seemed
gust to have stepped from a paint
Dot.
"Can have a drink Of water?" be-
gan Wayne, and paused, dazzled, as II
all he saw was part of some moving
picture. Another character in It's en-
semble had appeared. This was
young girl Of perhaps eighteen, 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,
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"
swell, 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 glass. Wayne arose and
bowed politely and the manner of the
girl, like that of the father, was friend
BY and pleasant.
She left them and Wayne heard her
small barn outside of which stood a
single seated gig. He glided into a
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
~. mine, and big landscape stuff for
pleasure parks, band stages and all
that. We were cooped up and 1t
didn't give Cora show. A slick fell
low came along aud 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
junction that was the railroad key
to the county and bound to he very val
N oil No u
that's all, and we've made the best of
1t. I've got little ready cash, but
pining for something to keep me busy,
and Cora is lonesome"
SLOW far do you own along the
railroad?" inquired Wayne.
San even mile. There's Cora. II
yon won't mind the jolting, it'll be
easier in the old gig than tramping 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 coull
get rid Of the land and settle in some
less uncivilized spot.
TITS fate - soliloquized Wayne. Tha
same Afternoon late. as he made hi!
way to the place where Miss Bayl,
put up the rig.
Its love at first sight" he added
as she appeared.
II am going to ask you to drive m,
back to your home" he told the youn,
girl. "You see,l have some business
with your father"
The business" Wayne had worket
up oyer long distance telephone. A
big idea had struck him.
81 represent the largest billboard
concern in the world" he told tn,
wondering father and daughter, 'sant
the minute analysed your Layout
here II saw a big speculation. You
narrow strip is ideal for putting up {
whole raft of display signs. Junction
hundreds of trains daily, gateway Il
the Gity--see? You, Mr.. Bayle, shall
the, painters, and you
Miss Bayle, must sketch out some
artistic scenic effects to catch the eye
1 have phoned my house, Mr. Bayle
and DIN ready TO make ten-year lease