Deming graphic., 1920-01-13
"A
Lucky Strike
on
(copyriEAt. 1913. by the western News
paper Union.l
BY VIVIAN LEE

and was called miser His nephew,
Morton Rolfe, spent all he earned and
was dubbed fool by the old man.
To the former money always seemed
to say, 1--WE come to stay" To Nor
ton II invariably whispered Good
bye" until at last realizing that II
was the cause of evil. good, happi-
ness and sorrow alike, the extrava-
CANT young man decided he must get
down TO reasonable system II he
ever expected to amount to anything.
His uncle, while nlggard as to his
own expenditures. had never restrict
ed Morton. He was a man OF con-
siderable wealth and owned the gas
and electric light company giving
service to Mlllville.
"lf youll put me in charge OF some
thing demanding real ability and labor,
III tackle IT," he told his uncle. 81
don't want to travel ON n pull, or re-
lationship, and I've about made up my
mind TO settle up my debts and start
out on my own initiative"
spoken like a man Of ambition"
commented Jasper Rolfe, for he doubt
ed not that Morton would return a
veritable prodigal. "YOu're leaving
at a critical moment, though. There
is going TO be a rich plum TO pick and
some money TO make on the water
supply system here. As you know
the present operating company secure
their supply from the bottom OF Arden
river. fifteen miles north. The stream
has nearly run dry this season and the
water has been unit for use and a
lot Of sickness has resulted. II could
get the franchise and the pipe system
and reservoir at bargain, would
cut over to Princeton river, twenty
miles west and improve the service.
II would cost a fortune, but II would
bring an advance In rates and put the
stocks and bonds Of the company on
a high basis. My idea was TO make
you active In the new enterprise"
Morton was not specially interested
in the proposition. He had no plans for
the future, and after resigning his sec
retaryship drifted around Millville for
a week, racklng his brains for solu-
tion Of the problem as to how he
should begin to make a mark in the
world. He took long walks In the
country, and one day, crossing bar
ren expanse between the two rivers
and not more than ten miles from
home, he met his fate.
Destiny came in the shape OF as
pretty girl as he had ever seen.
She even suggested some wild naiad
us she flashed into view, hatless and
barefooted, crossing a tiny rivulet
crowded with rocks. She slipped,
fell, and with difficulty dragged her
self to dry land. In an instant Nor
ton was by her side.
"You are hurt" he exclaimed solicit
tously;. and shyly but bravely she
replied: ut is only my ankle turned.
II you would go and tell my father.
See, that is our home just over beyond
that sapllng grove"
II could carry you that far, II you
like" offered Morton. He lifted her
bodily and soon reached u house bat
tered and old, with an acre or two
under the difficult cultivation that
sterile soil allowed.
The father attended to his injured
daughter and thanked Morton for his
services. Somehow the fair-faced girl
and her rude, but picturesque home
was lodestar OF attraction to Nor
ton. and the next day found him at the
isolated habltation inquiring after her
health.
She was Ruth Glenny. he learned.
and with her assistance her father
Just managed TO eke out a subsistence.
She sat IN rustic homemade arm
chair and her frank, innocent ways
and unpretentious bearing charmed
Morton. He chanced TO ask for a drink
OF water and Mr.. Glenny brought
dipper full from a pail, so cool and
refreshing, and so different from that
served out at Mlllville that Morton
remarked that he must have a very
choice well.
THAT water doesn't come from a
well. but a spring." enlightened Mr..
Glenny. 1T burst out about a month
ago one night over beyond the timber
ridge yonder. ~ want you to see It.
A man who happened to pass here last
week says that II is a marvel Of ma
ture, and that he never saw a larger
well except In Florida that is known
as n great phenomenon"
Morton Rolfe looked aroused and
interested as his host led him to the
spring in question. 1t bubbled forth
between two rocks, high and sparkling,
forming almost a torrent down a mar
row rut
"what a wastel hundreds Of gal
Ions a minute" exclaimed Morton.
where does It run tor
"Over to the Princeton river, they
tell me-" and Morton went back TO
Mlllvllle thoughtful and calculating.
A week later he had an expert hydro
engineer on the spot. Before the
month was out he held a deed Of CO
partnership with John Glenny. When