The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1922-08-03
MARTINS STRATEGY
BY WINIFREp DUNBAR

Martin, I'm In q sore peck of trou-
blel' spoke Robert Grant, leading
man of Grafton.
"Sorry, judge. Can I help you out
of 1t In any way?" questioned Martin
Blake, one of the humble ones of the
village.
"I'm afraid not" replied Mr.. Grant
in really worried and mournful tone
of voice. 1--WE put my foot in 1t bad
and deep. I'd give lot to get back
on the solid rock. / declare, it's get
ting on my nerves and dread seeing
my wife!"
To have the judge almost make a
confidant of him stunned Martin and
raised his hopes vastly.
Those hopes of the ardent young
man centered about the bonniest girl
in Grafton-Jessie, the judges only
daughter. Martin loved her from the
depths 6f his heart and Jessie as fer
vently returned the sentiment.
The sudden acquisition Of quite
fortune from relative had given the
judge some new grand ideas. Martin
was poor, Jessie was an heiress. Inc
match was unequal. He cast ABOUT
removing to a more aristOcratic town.
He cut quite swath, he fancied, go
ing with his family to- fashionable
watering place.
He had Just returned looking both
cred and dismal.
"You see, it's all along Of my want
ing to get to a bigger town, Martin"
somewhat sheepishly explained the
Judge. "When we started ON our out
Ing I gave orders to put up the DIG
home here for sale"
"Yes, l heard of that" nodded Mar.
tin.
81 also gave my lawyer power OF
attorney to act for me. Well, he has
sold It,"
"And I've got to talk out my misery
to somebody. My wife made terrible
scene came on here because this
Mr.. Morgan was here today. l offered
him back his money. doubled 1t. No
use. He said 1t was the ideal place
he had been looking after for years
and his wife and children were equally
pleased with it. They're coming here
tomorrow to look 1t over to plan some
improvements.
Judge" said Martin, II see way
out Of this"
"You dol" cried the judge eagerly.
MARTIN" he added, there Is not
much | wouldn't do fors you If you
help me out of this awful dilemma,
and he grasped the hand Of the young
man fervently.
Judge, leave 1t all to me-" SAID
Martin grandly.
That afternoon Martin visited first
an old colored man of numerous fani-
ly at the edge of town.
When, the next morning, the new
prospective residents arrived, they
found Martin bustling about assuming
the role of person who had been
deputized to overhaul the place.
"I declare! what is that horrible
odor?" exclaimed Mrs. Morgan, as she
entered the house.
Martin pointed to the plumber ham,
mering at some pipes, mumbled some
thing about "huntirg for sewer gas"
and hustled outside after whispering
to the plumber ito use some more OF
that chemical"
A series of frightful screams soon
issued from the cellqr. Up the stairs
came flying one Of the misses OF the
family.
She was fairly hysterical, she near
ly tainted away. Two snakes, toad
and some frogs had crossed her path
In the cellar!
Next door to the Grant place was
small house that had been vacant
for years. 1t was temporarily occu-
pied that day, however. In fact, the
artful Martin had especially hired
Mr.. Ephraim Brown, whltewasher
and his numerous family to take pos
session Of the domiclle.
Mrs. Morgan, inspecting the garden,
came to a halt as an open space In
the shrubbery showed the dividing
fence. Beyond 1t great washing
haunted from the clothesline. A fat
nanny was bustling about, with one
half dozen piccaninnies at her heels,
Old Eph was splitting wood. On the
fence sat four ebony cherubs eating
bread and butter.
"For mercy's sake!" cried Mrs Nor
are they?"
"Your neighbors," responded Martin
well behaved people.
too"
"But-black !" almost shrieked the
sensitive lady and collapsed to gar
den seat.
That settled it. Within the hour
Mr.. Morgan was down to the office OF
the lawyer. Willingly he Cancelled the
contract Of purchase and received
back his forfeit money.
A telegram brought Mr. Grant to the
village, jubilant and excited.
"You made II, didn't you!" he cried,
slapping Martin on the shoulder In a