Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-01-29
"a
Lucky Strike
m
BY VIVIAN LEE

paper untonb
Jasper Rolfe saved all he earned
and was called a miser. His nephew.
Morton Rolfe. spent all he earned and
Was dubbed fool by the old man.
To the former money always seemed
20 say, 1--WE come to stay" To Nor
ton II invariably whispered Good
bye" until at last realizing that II
Sas the cause Of evil, good, happi-
pant young man decided he must get
down 10 q reasonable system 10 he
ever expected tn amount 10 anything.
His uncle, while niggard as 20 his
own expenditures, had never restrict
ed Morton. He was a man Of con.
and electric light company giving
service TO Millville.
IF you'll put me in charge Of some
thing demanding real ability and labor,
III tackle IT," he told his uncle. 81
don't want 10 travel on "a pun. or re-
iationship. and I've about made up my
mind 10 settle mp 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 unfit for use and a
lot, OF sickness has resulted. II could
get the franchise and the pipe system
and reservoir at a bargain. ! would
cut over TO Princeton river. twenty
miles west and improve the service.
II would cost q fortune, but II wonld
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 tlfe 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, racking his brains for a solu-
ton 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 a bar
rem expanse between the two rivers
and not more than ten miles from
home ne met his fate
Destiny came In the shape ~ as
pretty girl as he had ever seen.
She even suggested some wild naiad
as she flashed into view. hatless and
harcfootcd crossing tiny rivulet
crowded with rocks. She slipped.
fell and with difficulty dragged her
self 20 drv land. In an instant Nor
ton was by her side.
you are hurt" he exclaimed solici-
tously: and shylv but bravely she
replied; 1T is only my ankle turned.
II you would 60 and tell my father.
See that Is our home just over beyond
that sapling grove"
II could carry you that far. if you
like" offered Morton. He lifted her
bodily and soon reached house bat
tered and old. with an acre or two
under The difficult cultivation that
sterile soil allowed.
The father attended 70 his injured
daughter and thanked Morton for his
services. Somehow the fair-faced girl
and her rude. but picturesque home
was n lodestar Of attraction TO Nor
ton. ana The next day found him NJ the
Isolated hahltation inquiring after her
health
She was Ruth fGlenny he learned,
and with her assistance her father
lust managed 10 exc out a subsistence.
She sat i'm "A rustic homemade arm
chair and her frank. innocent ways
and unprptentious bearing charmed
Morton. He Glanced to ask for a drink
Of water and Mr.. Glenny brought n
dpper full from pail. so cool and
refreshing. and so different from that
served out at Millville. that Morton
remarked that he must have very
choice well.
THAT water doesn't come from n
well. but spring" enlightened Mr..
Glenny. at burst out about a month
ago one night over beyond the timber
ridge yonder. Il want you 10 see II.
A man who happened To pass here last
week says that IL 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 Roife looked aroused and
interested as his host led him 10 the
spring lp question. II bubbled forth
between two rocks, high and sparkling,
forming almost torrent down mar
row rut.
"What a wastel hundreds ~ gal.
Ions minute" exclaimed Morton.
where does II run tor
"Over TO the Princeton river. they
tell me-" and Morton went back 70
Millville thoughtful and calculating.
A week later he had an expert hydro
engineer on the spot. Before The
month was out he held deed Of co
partnership with John Glenny. When
he had his plans all perfected for pip
ing this supply OF pure water 10 Mill
vile. he went before the town coun
Gil and submitted proposition that
brought them n fifty years franchise
I never fancied was born 10 he
rich" observed John -Glenny. when Tho
first returns from the Joint undertake