The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1920-03-12
CHAPTER x.--Continued.

sA~
knew what 1t meant. 1t meant an
nouncement to her mother that she
had met Dave downtown. 1t meant
perhaps a %supposition on her mothers
part that she had gone downtown for
that purpose. 1t was ~far-reaching,
But she said simply, II should enjoy
driving home with you"
On the way they planned that the
following Sunday they would drive
into the foothills together. OF course
they would ask Mrs. Hardy to accom-
pany them. OF course. But It might
happen that Mrs. Hardy would be in
disposed. Irene was of the opinion that
what her mother needed now was rest.
AS it happened Mrs. Hardy was at
the gate. She greeted Dave cordially
enough. Encouraged by her mood,
Irene determined to settle the Sun
day program at once.
'Dave was good enough to bring me
up in his car" she said. "And just
think He invites us to drive into the
foothills with him next Sunday. VIII
you come? 1t will be delightful. Or
are you feeling"
"Mr. Eden is very kind" said Mrs.
Hardy, with dignity. II have no doubt
MIR. Coward will accompany us. He
is to call this evening and l will ask
him. Yes, / think 1t very likely
We will 60"
The summer wore on, and autumn
followed on its heels. The processes
which had been discerned by Coward
and other astute operators were now
apparent to- the mob which forever
follows in the wake of the successful,
out usually at such q distance as to
be overwhelmed in the receding flood,
The forces which had built up fabu-
ious fortunes were now In reverse
gear, and the same mechanism that
had built up was now tearing down.
AS the boom had fed upon itself, car
rying prices to heights justifable only
to the most insane optimism, so did
the subsequent depression bear down
upon values until they reached depths
justiiable only to the most abandoned
dependency. The rosy bubble, inflat-
ed with the vapors Of irresponsible
speculation, had dissolved into thin
air.
Mrs. Hardy was among the last to
admit that she had bought on an
ebbing tide. She contended that her
house was well worth the price she
had paid; what If speculation had
come to a stop? So much the better;
her house was still worth its price.
She would stand firm.
Mrs. Hardy consulted Coward. It
had grown to be her habit to consult
Coward on all matters In which she
found an interest
How is 1t, Mr.. Coward" Mrs.
Hardy said to him one evening over
her fancy w0rk-fOr she practiced an
in,!efatlgable industry in matters of
importance-"how is 1t that there
is no demand for property? You are
q real-estate expert; you should be
able TO answer that. Isn't this city
as good today as 1t was a year ago?
Doesn't 1t occupy The same site? Are
not the farms still producing?"
THAT'S just it, dear Mrs. Hardy.
Why, indeed? Simply because the
booster has given way to the calamity
bowler. Its psychological explanation
ia simple enough. The world lives by
faith. Without faith there would be
caadfira nor horUoc< Tho< q, l
true Of raising cities as well as of
crops. But there are always
those who ridicule faith; always were,
will be. And as soon as faith
disappears things begin to sink"
"Ah" said Mrs. Hardy gently. $50
we owe all this-these empty houses
and shops, unstable property and ev-
erything to those who have lost
faith-or never had II. To men like
Mr.. Elden, for instance. You remem-
Der how he tried to discourage me
from the very frst-tried to break
down my faith-that was 1t, Mr.. Con-
ward-I see 1t all very plainly now
and he and others like him have
brought things to their present pass.
Well. they have a great responsible
Ety."
As q result Of this discussion Dave
found himself rather less popular
with Mrs. Hardy than before. Dave
accepted her displeasure with a light
h~eartedness that was extremely trying
the good woman's temper. Had 1t
not been for his desire to spare Irene
any unhappiness he would have treat
ed It with open fippancy. He was
engaged In the serious business of
capturing the heart of Irene Hardy
q task made none the easier by the
sclf-imposed condition that he must
no offensive but must await
With such patience as he could com
rand the voluntary capitulation Of the
besieged. On the whole he told him.
self he had no reason to be dissatisfied
With the progress Of events. He and
irene often motored together, frequent
accompanied by Mrs. Hardy, some
INES by Coward as well, but occa-
1910