The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1919-06-18
CHATTER NV
MERLIN GETS REVENGE


I'm Benson City. The morning al
ter his arrival in the little plateau
CITY. having arranged for his hoard
he strolled out the principal street
toward the suburbs, looking Tor the
office of the Smelling Company EV-
cry where he was impressed WIN
the cleanliness and general beauty
OF the place. The shop windows
instead OF being dust covered ana
dim as in Smithville, were spotless
and shining and tastefully deeorat-
ed. so that they presented rather
pleasing appearance. The side
walks we're well swept, the streets
,red and sprinkle d, and the yehi-
c,es did not make the lum bering
noise as in the former town. Bust
ness seemed to be fourishing and
everybody going about his own
business.
AT the far end of Main street,
the last building in the row, stood
the office of the Benson City ,Smelt-
ing Company. 1t was a comodious
structure, built Of pressed brick
freshly painted and to the young
man it presented striking con
trast to ihs Dizzy, ramshali barn
like Office of the Smithville Com
pauy. Surely this was a reason
for Benson City being more pros
porous than Smithville, despite the
big strikes that were continually
being made in the vicinity of the
latter. He entered the office and
was at once greeted by the Pro-
prefer, joviar old 1cIIow, ard
granted an interview. what could
do for you?" he ask cordially.
II am looking for a position,
answered Merlin. And | was told
over in Smithyille that you were in
need Of a Bookkeeper and I thought
perhaps you would employ me-"
"Smithyille? Did you come
from Smithville?" ask the old man
cycling him critically.
YES l have been there year.
but such a year / hope l shall never
spend again. | do not wish to be
urcomplimcntary to your neighbor
City. but ! believe that is the mean
est place on the face Of the earth"
The proprietor laughed. Don't
be afraid to speak what You think
of Smithville here" he said, 1T
has a terribly tough reputation and
Just at present it and Benson City
are at swords-point over a railroad
proposition"
How is that?"
"Oh it is this way, you know we
have single line railroad and so
have they. Well one line is not
enough to accommodate the trans
portation at either place, SO the
Santa Fe Company agreed to run a
special line from Denver and form a
junction at either this town or
Smithville The proposition is:
Which shows the largest and most
enterprisng populations at the end
of two years gets the branch line.
Just now we have it over them but
on account of the find they may
skin us yet"
Il should think not said Merlin;
"Smithville is not fit place for
respectable people to live
"Of course not but people will
90 anywhere for money. I am sure
of one thing, if Smithville gets the
railroad my business will be gone"
Don't you think a few articles
in your home newspaper about the
inside life Of Smithville would help
bring the tide this way?' asked the
younger man, a new idea coming
into his head.
Certainly, but who is going to
write them? There is no one in
this town who was ever in Smith
Vile more than an hour in his life. ="
"Why | can! ! know the place
from A to u and can truthfully give
it the black eye"
Did you ever write any for the
Newspapers
Eyes, considerable. | was chief
reporter on the Sun over there for
almost a year"
Then you are the one to do il!
Give me your hand on it, it is a
peach of an idea" And Merlin.
grasped the extended hand.
"But about employing me? DO
you think you could use me?'
"Oh yes but what are your quail
fications? Did you ever study
book keeping or short hand?"
Eyes. | studied the Commercial
branches for two years, can pres
ent my Diploma If you desire il.
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