Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-01-02
ROCKVILLE MARYLAND. FRIDAY MORNING. JANUARY Q 1895

by too careful lingering, he climbed
down the ladder again. He placed
the ice in nice cold snowdrift, where
1t was unlikely to be noticed, and
went home.
1t was ten o'clock the next morn
ing before he walked out of his hotel
and round to the insurance agent.
Got him." said Catesby.
what" shouted the agent. why,
everythlng's burned out. What was
1t? Kerosene2"
Guess again." answered Catesby.
II don't know, unless 1t was ton
of dynamite"
Let's call 1t Rochester burner"
said Catesby, and the idea appeared to
him as humorous one. want to
come and see the fun2"
"Oh, sure" said the agent.
Mr.. Hanson was chatting and fret
ting upon the ruins of his store when
the two men put in an appearance,
He welcomed them with cordial
handgrip apiece.
"Now, let's get down to business"
he began. you advertised to settle
all claims promptly, didn't you? Well,
and you've had the night to think 1t
over In. And there amt no 80 per
cent clause in my policy--you know
that. SO 1t comes to this: When do
l get my check?"
"You wouldn't think of arbitrating
now, would your" inquired Catesby.
mo. sir. want to pocket my loss
and get my people to work again as
quickly as l can. It's quite blow
to this town, and l wouldn't relish
being held up, And, what's more, IL
there's any talk of arbitration or
compromise l put the case into my
lawyers hands today"
ooh, pshawl Maybe you'll be only
too glad to compromise" suggested
Catesby. "Come, make me an offer"
"one-Quarter Million" said Hanson.
Your lowest offerT'
"You bet 1t Is. What d'you take
me fort"
IAN right, I've heard yours, and
now you can hear mine. Not one
penny, but we won't prosecute IL you
drop your claim, because Ice is deli
cate commodity to keep, even when
it's cold-storaged. You see, we
couldn't very well bring II into court"
"Eh" stammered Hanson, begin
ming to tremble.
Come here" said Catesby, and led
Hanson and the agent to the cool
snowdrift. He bent down, scraped
away the snow, and pulled up huge
and neatly FURNISHED circular disk of
Ice.
II guess It formed on top of tank
or somewhere, and that gave our
friend his idea" said Catesby Catch
on, Mr.. Brown"
"Why, its-its like burning
glass;" cried the agent.
That's what 1t Is, and pretty well
done. l guess you were in the optical
business once, weren't you, Mr.. Han
SOM"
why, he was the first optlclan In
town." the agent cried THAT was
before he built the store"
Exactly" answered Catesby. "What
would jury say to that, ! wonderi
However, there's one more thing ia
take into consideration, and that's the
focal length. We've got to prove that
at three o'clock In the afternoon the
sun Is In a direct line with the top OF
that shed, where the glass lens was
ixed, and those split stones at the
back OF the store, where the fire be-
gan. Furthermore, as I was saying,
that IL the correct focal length to con
centrate the ruys. Now we'll go up
this afternoon"
"Stop, for Gods sakel" whispered
Hanson and his face was pea-green.
"You got me. All right. Make II two
hundred thousand and It's ten per
cent Of that apiece to"
you scoundrelI" yelled Catesby
catching Hanson by the throat "Now
well send you to the states prison
for sure. I'm glad you said It, ! am.
I wanted my chance"
"Shuclis Let's call It all of, Mr..
Catesby," interposed the agent "You
couldn't convict, with him In Roch-
ester"
Catesby released the trembling mer.
chant
"Is II all OFF, he asked.
II guess So" murmured Mr.. Han
son.
You'll write a confession to dictn-
ton as the price Of immunity"
"Yes, If I've got to-"
IAN right Wen have It right
away. Say Mr.. Brown, have you a
time-table2 want to find when the
next train leaves for Rochester"