Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05
By Lucian Cary

| price-but reasonable when you came
| to think of it--fcT the purchaser of the
| Fanshawe place was the president of 6
bank and the owner of a department
! store.
| The effect on Harry Farnum was d.
rect and profound. It gave him cour-
age to go To Mrs. Frankfort Wood with
q proposition. Mrs. Frankfort Wood
owned over 200 acres on the sound. with
an enormous house, dock big enough
to take 100-foOt yacht, bathing
beach. The late Frankford Wood had
been man of grandioSe ideas. His
widow was short of cash. She was
willing to sell for 81 900 an acre.
Harry listened as they sat in the
great drawing room under a chandelier
of glass that Frankford Wood was said
TO have paid $4,000 for in France. Mrs.
Wood talked freely.
Il can't help thinking you could get
more than $200,000," Harry said. You
might get $250O00 if you could wait
six months. 1t takes time to turn over
as big thing as this. I'd hold out for
$3.50 900 If 1 were you"
But 1 can't hold out three months, 4"
Mrs. Wood replied. I've got to have
several thousand right now"
How many thousand" Harry asked.
"At least five thousand"
Harry looked at her. She was wor-
ried SICK
What would you think of this, Mrs.
Wood" he asked. Suppose / should
offer yoN IS 900 for q six months OPP
ton at 100000? You get the $1,000
Immediately, and, if I fail to take up
the option within six months, the $4,000
is yours"
Mrs. Wood shook her head.
six months is too long. 1 can't tie
it up-not that long"
"All right" Harry Farnum said. "I'll
give you $4,000 for three months OPP
ton at 100000"
"When?" Mrs Wood asked.
Tomorrow or next day"
"Tomorrow-yes," she said. She
was a plump, amiable little woman.
But worry about money had driven her
to distraction, uncovered harsh streak
in her. THE day after tomorrow-no, +"
she said bitterly.
HARRY hadn't the least idea where
he could get $4,000 in cash within
~ hours. He tried the bank, and the
bank wasn't interested. He talked to
Aunt Emmeline. She had more than
S., 900 tucked away in negotiable bonds.
Harry proposed that he assign his in
come of approximately $1,000 a year
to her as security. Thus she would be
protected against loss and have money
coming in as well.
Aunt Emmeline pursed her lips in q
way she had when money was men,
toned. Harry guessed that she was go
ing to refuse.
"Your father would turn in his grave
II he knew you'd borrowed money on
that income he left you" Aunt Emme-
line said. II wouldn't go against his
wishes"
But I might make thirty or forty
thousand on the deal" Harry protested.
Aunt Emmeline shook her head.
half a million dollars" she said. you
might lose-rnightnt you?"
Harry laughed, In spite Of himself.
TITS a whale of a gamble" he adj
mitted. I'D stand at least an even
chance to lose"
That's what I thought" Aunt F'n-
incline said. And won't do It. Be-
sides, I'd rather do something else. I'd
rather take a share in the gamble my
self"
"What2" Harry cried Aunt En-
cents ut bridge.
She nodded vigorously. "I1l lend you
S. 900 on two conditions. The first is
double my money"
Harry grtnned. Fair enough" he
said.
1.-The other condition is-if you lose,
no more is said about it."
You mean you want to risk 5000
double or quits?" Harry asked.
Yes" Aunt Emmeline said. That's
1t exactly"
Harry looked at her in establishment
She was maiden lady Of so who had
always lived on a Sniallish income and
never taken chance of any kind In
her life. She was shrewd and she was
cautious.
II couldn't think Of It," he said.
Then you don't get the five thou
sand" Aunt Emmeline said.
But you're crazy, Aunt Emmy. You
don't know what a risky thing this is.
I'm going to try to sell that place for
$3.50, 900 inside of three months. But
most people wouldn't think I had one
chance in 30 of doing it
Most people don't know as much
about you as do" Aunt Emmeline said.
"Oh, come" Harry said Three
months ago you were advising me not
to quit q good job to start up in bust
ness for myself"
Three months ago was three months
ago" Aunt Emmeline replied. You're
q different naan--now."