The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-07-22
So n you could Just give me Z

IT foated some steel bonds up here
once. Prettiest bonds you ever saw In
your life. too"
"ohi And they didn't turn out
wellw
"Not exactly. The company was too
much like silverbow. I guess-all noat
and no lode"
For a moment. billiard thought that
he hadn't heard Alright.
"what was that you saidr' he man
aged.
Harmon reiterated II.
TOO much Silverbow. Only they
pumped the wuter out Of II sooner
than we will. That was i've years
ago"
At nrst, HiIiiard was untouched by
the shock; the force OF II seemed to
pass over him entirely: then all at
once. as he was caught by the drift Of
II, his hands began to tremble violent
iy; and his palms we're clammy with
sweat. His stomach seemed to drop
out Of him, and he was nauseated by
the tremendous purport Of his employ
er's cynicism.
"Mr. Harmoni" he painted. under
his breath, "Mr. Harmoni"
The New Yorker looked at him in
genuine surprise.
whats the matter. Hilliardf You
| look sick Or d@n IL, man,
II that's another one OF your bluffs.
you're wasting your time. You haven't
! "a halx AiSnAoifinr
believe in this mine, have your He
moved uneasily. 81 wish you'd wipe
that pious expression OF your face-or
is II glued orr
billiards voice shook upcontrolla-
bly,.
This this miner he STAN
mered. "You told me"
"I'Il stand by everything I've ever
told you, Hilliard. I'll prove II. It's
an area OF minerafized schist with dis
seminated copper values. And we've
got over a hundred acres OF II. And
part OF the shaft, tool" He laughed
noiselessly. "Of course, altogether
miles Of that same sort Of land In the
same state. but what's the odds as
longs you're happyf Tell me you
aren't wiser Rotl Why. you knew
all about II when we were on the
boatl"
billiards. muscles were working In
hysterical Jumps. and his face was dis
torted.
"Y-you y-you're saying
y-you're saying I've been selling
s-selling TO my friends a piece
OF d-n worthless property Are
your
"shut upI" The big man was domi-
nant, ugly. understand met You
keep your mouth shut IL you know
what's good for you'll Didn't you come
up here to get square with your
'friendsf' Your friendsw His accent
was superlatively contemptuous. You
knew II wasn't a producing mine.
, didn't your"
"You told me II was a wonderful
prospect knew II was long shot,
but ! thought there was some value
there lot Of 1t and
! yNu Niiu lut ruult yOu
said the shaft was"
Harmon reached for another ciga-
rette: there was undisgulsed perplex-
ity on his face.
"Son. II you aren't a mighty good
actor. you're are you going to
claim you didn't know what this mine
Is? After all that whining and squeal-
ing of yours about your getting event
Then what In thunder did you want to
come back here forT'
''To make some money--to get some
fun out Of II. wanted to make fools
of people; I didn't want TO swindle
anybody thought l was giving 'em
something for their money! II
Harmon lighted his cigarette. none
too complacently.
"The funny part about IT," he said
slowly. as that I don't honestly be
lieve you're blufiing. But you
knew II was only a prospect"
"But thought It was a good pros
pectl Never mind" He made as
though TO rise. "You've said enough
I'm through with you'll"
The big mans Jaw thrust out bel
ligerently. and he caught Hilliard by
the arm.
"Now. stop right therei Sit down
SIT down. Maybe you thought II was
good prospect and maybe you didn't
but you're not through with ne yet
not until say so. Don't you make
any mistakes like that. my boy. DOM
you go of half-shot-not yet Re
member our contractf Ever heard OF
promoters liability I'd certainly hate
TO see you get into trouble, but Il
you've made any wild statement;
about material facts"
billiard was straining half across
the table.
|, "You told me the ore was there
And ! thought the worst that could
happen would be TO tie up this money
for few years-that's why a pros
poets so hard to sell knew darnet
well II wasn't any whirlwind RICH
new. but I did think they'd
they'd at least make something goot
out OF II eventually
even II II :"