The Keota news., 1920-09-24
THE COPING
STONE
By ALVAH J. GARTH
Copyright. 1890. Western Newspaper Union

serve. ana the latter was Ieauihs oNe'
the promising and encouraging letter
on the train ns he neared Newton.
whence II had been written.
The missiye went on to say that q
leading metropolitan real estate hrm
hnd highly commended Meservc foi
his energy and success In building up
a subdivision which had lansuished
for years. n have something In the
same line" wrote this Richard Shane.
hut I anticipate slow work. for my
property Is In n dead town and do
rot expect wonders. ] want your nd
vice and then your cooperation. II
you see any future for the propost
tion."
The promotional faculty hnd been
the strong hold OF Wilton Meserve for
several years. lie was well appear
Ing. alert. honest and earnest. He had
been the organizer Of several small
banks. he had been the principal In
rnisin1 funds for scvcral educational
institutions. There was more OF bus
tie and rapidity In his ventures than
speculation. and he had always met
with success. Arrived nt Newton. he
stood on the depot platform inkins
In the prospect with the eye Ut
man who missed no detail and thor.
oughiy understood his business.
County seat. good roads. environ.
mcnt. picturesque md attractive" he
soiiioquixetl. mot dead by any means.
hut asleep. Gun wake II up? There
nrc possibilities. but shall have tn
have lots Of cooperation. Now to
ga,hcr mp all I cnn about the place.
mn hour or two Of study and cnicula.
tion and then TO interview this Mr.
Richard shane"
The residence Of the latter Mcscrve
found to he the show place Of the
town rs to ornate structure and we'll
lnid out grounds The owner man
of fifty. prosperous looking md pleas
ant Of fnce and manner. took to his
brisk optimistic young visitor Mt once.
"Details Of the situation were soon In
the possession Of Aicscrve. Mr.. Shane
owncsi Mt lenst half Of the town. the
mineral springs at It's edge. wafer
rights along the river. choice residence
and business property. and was n pow.
or In the community.
II have partly developed my plans
IN boom. 10 boost the town. ns you
,uny say" observed Mr.. Shane. ''the
president and council both promise
full cooperation. What we need is
an efficient supervisory man to direct
md hiring results. You shall have your
own price for taking 2>J,onth-two If
them. II you like--to formulate your
r'nns."
There was lengthy period Of st-.
ccs:ion and discussion opening up n
preliminary program. Several times
during the conversation Meservc had
glanced with more than ordinary in.
'erest and admiration at nn enlarged
portrait Of beautiful young girl
hanging on the wall just back Of the
desk at which Mr.. Shane sat. The
latter noticed this md said:
''Thnt Is my daughter. Miss Shane
Partly for her sake nm busyinv my.
self to make the tow, whicf sle loves
worthy Of her. Since her mother died
Anthem has been my chief soace, md
her happiness my orr Thought. She
will complete her education this fall"
BEFORE month had elapsed Meserve
and Mr.. Shane were immersed heart
and soul in their work. The latter ofs
fered free ground to any factory TAX.
ing up n wntersitle site. and the town
donated liberNl bonus for the con.
struction work. On the central auto.
mobile road electrical signs were set
fnu nj n~Ss