Alma record., 1922-09-07
The Marble
Quarry
By LESTER PETELLE.



"The Mercury doesn't want you any
longer, Jim," she said. "Is that itT'
Jim nodded miserably, and they sat
down side by side upon the lounge
and looked at each other mutely. For
months they had felt the blow COM
ing. Jim had been IA reporter on the
Mercury for five years.
Presently Lucy rose and began to
prepare the evening meal.
Lets get an abandoned farm in
New England dear she said. you
know one can pick them up for a very
small first payment. You can write,
and, bit by bit, We can pull things to-
gether. | can raise chickens and we'll
have a garden, and"
Lucy's parents had had a farm in
New Hampshire and had abandoned it
when she was a year old.
They talked the scheme over all
that evening, and 1t ended in their
closing up the house and taking "a
trip into New Hampshire to look
around. And then il was that they
came upon their ideal village.
1t was tiny, struggling place in a
sheltered valley, with high mountains
all round, and at the end OF the long
street was the dearest little place
about u acres, with brook at the
foot and little cottage, falling into
decay, but still weathsr-proof, with
old-fashioned fireplaces and dormer
windows-just the place for them.
"We just have il, Lucy" said jim.
Lucy's own spirits rose.
But was IT for rent or sale? 1t had
lain vacant for more than 20 years,
the neighbors said. Only one man
knew-Ezra Powell, the boss Of the lit
tie community, the village banker the
landowner whose property adjoined
their own. AS for the title deeds
the registrars Office had been burned
out 12 years before and there was no
record remaining.
They went To Ezra Powell and found
a grim, red-faced, domineering man.
who listened TO their request for in
formation with stolid malignity.
said, when Jim had ended. us it
miner Young man, / don't talk about
my private affairs. / say you can't
have it,"
Unless that place is yours we are
going to take it, said Jim. defantly.
Powell stormed and threatened and
the interview terminated with vague
threats on the one side and defiance
on the other.
They moved ont 10 Clearwater a
week later, and by the end of May
the house was IN order and the ground
broken up and planted. A motherly
hen and a brood Of chickens laid the
foundation Of what promised TO be-
come flourshing industry. And soon
they discovered the cause of Powell's
hostility.
1t was the neighbors who told them,
under pledges of secrecy and with
every appearance Of fear. There was
rich marble quarry on Powell's
land, and the indications were that
the vein ran obliquely under their own
out, but they could not have put him
out. They had only the right Of prior
possession.
Powell could, however make life
alomst impossible, and did He in
augurated a boycott, and the village
tradesmen dared not serve Jim. who
was compelled to 90 to Evesham for
his supplies ON his return, loaded
down, he found two rough-looking men
at the door. Inside was Lucy, crying
They tried to get me TO come out"
she said "But ! knew that if once
left the house they would take pos
session. Jim, we are like prisoners"
1t was true; they were prisoners.
Jim dared not leave his land.
1t was late In August when Powell
visited them. How long are you two
fools going to hold out?" he asked.
you'll have to give up afore winter.
Come, III give you a couple of hundred
TO quit"
"I'll CO." said Jim, "for seven hun
dred and fifty dollars"
Done" shouted Powell with ve-
hemence which amazed the house
holders. He pulled out bulging
pocketbook, which he had brought
with him for the purpose, and peeled
off eight one hundred dollar bills.
Got change" he sneered.
Jim walked over to loose board
and raised it. Inside of a case was q
legal document Jim took it to the
light.
Whats that?" shouted Powell, sus-
piciously.
1T looks" said Jim, deliberately,
'1ike the legal title to this property"
"The legal owner of this place
seems to be one Timothy Brand" said
Jim. "That sounds like your fathers
name, Lucy"
"Why-then this was my fathers
place" Lucy exclaimed.
"Wat n minute" cried Jim. "This
Is title deed to one hundred and
ninety four acres of land. Where is
the rest of our property? What about
II, Powell?"
Powell was staring curiously at Jim.
Suddenly he slipped TO the floor. In
a moment Jim was at his side.