I V
THE FARMERS ALLIANCE, LINCOLN, NEIL, 1HURSDAY, DEC. 3, 1891.
I Cm wW0m$$
r It would have required an iron will to '
withstand that tender little appeal,
spoken in such a soft tone, and those
mild browm eyes looking so sorrowfully '
p from beneath their Ion? dark lashes.
It was not in the nature of things for
Paul to hold out apaimt it for an in-
tlant, and like a flash the cloud went
from his face and it shone out again all
light and smiles.
"There, there, Louise," ho said, "it is (
all right. I was sure you couldn't have
no poor an opinion of me, nd I'm sorry )
that I said anything to hurt yon. We'll
forget it all and never think of it again."
And Paul bent to kia the. may lips
which Louise turned up to him, and the
little misunderstanding was at an end.
Yes, so far as Paul was concerned it
was, but a little shade of doubt re
mained in Loui&e'a heart and rankled
for a long time after.
' CHAPTEB VIL
I OCT It A STOIUf. 6
1 The lovers had gone quite a distance
from home, walking on in that unmind
ful way, so wrapped up in thoughts of
more Important things, that they entire
ly forgot about time and distance.
Lovers never did have any conscious
ness of time, and it always seems that
when a couple become deeply en
grossed in each other's society and grow
oblivious to time, the little sprite
plays them a trick and goes skimming
along running hours into minutes and
minutes into seconds. Such was the
way he treated Paul and Louise that
day, and when eventually they did come j
back to their surroundings they found
that it was almost night, with the sun
hanging like a great red ball low down
in the sky, but a few feet from the
earth, seemingly.
Louise was greatly surprised and
shocked when she saw how late it had
grown, and expressed a wish to return
homo with all possible speed.
"Ah, Paul," said sho, "how could yon
treat me so? Why didn't you turn back
before this?" g
"Why didn't you call my attention to
the fact that it was getting so lute?"
Paul said in reply. -
"I I didn't know It I wasn't notic
ing." ,. ,
"Neither did I know it But it don't
matter, Louise, for the moon will shine
out bright to-night and we are in no
danger of getting lost"
"Are you sure of that, Paul?"
"Sure of which, Louise?"
"Vhyt that the moon will shine out."
"Why, I think it does. It ought to,
anyhow, and I reckon it will."
Louise had some doubts on the point,
and misgivings took possession of her.
What if it became quite dark, and they
so fur from home with no road the
greater part of the way to guide them
back! Sho began to worry and fret,
and Paul began to console and comfort
Thus they went along for a mile or so,
and Louise begon to feel more cheerful.
l!ut directly she espied a dark cloud
stealing up in the south. Only the edge
of it was visible as yet, but It was stead
ily approaching and bade fair to mantle
the heavens within an hour.
"Paul," sho said, "what shall we do?
There will bo no moon, and the night
will be cloudy. Ah, we shall get lost
and not get homo till morning. What
will pa and mamma think?"
i "Don't, Louise," Tuul replied. "Be
, calm, and don't fret I'm sorry that we
came so far, but we shall get back all
right Are you tired?"
"Xo, not a bit."
. "Then let's walk fast while it is light
and get as fur towards home as possible.
There will be a light in the window at
your house, and if we get near enough
to seo that we will have no troublo in
finding the way, even if it is dork."
They hurried on ns fast as they could,
and before the night came on they had
traversed several miles of tho way.
They were hurrying on thus, when just
as the twilight begun to full they heard
the fall of a home's feet behind them,
and soon thereafter a man on horseback
came clattering up. They thought he
was going to pass without speaking,
but when he had got in front of them
he checked his horse, and turning in tho
saddle so as to face them, lifted his hat,
saying:
"Excuse me, but could you inform me
whether I am on the road leading to
Paradise Park?"
"You are," replied Paul.
"Thanks, can you give me the dis
tance?" "A matter of a dozen miles, I pre
sume." The stranger asked no more ques
tions, and, evidently bavin? gained all
the information he desired, Paul ex
pected him to ride on. But he did not
lie went along slowly for several yards,
retaining the same position iu the
saddle and keeping his eyes fixed on the
couple. Louise had not dared to look
at him after the first glance sho gave
him when he came up, for somehow she
felt that his eyes were fixed on her,
and she felt an undelinable dread of
him, and longed to be rid of his pres
ence. After awhile the stranger broke
the silence, saying:
"A dozen miles. That is a long ride,
and this is going to be a bad night too.
It will be terribly dark, and I think it
will rain, don't you?"
"It may possibly," Paul replied. "Are
you a stranger in this section?"
"Yes, entirely so. I am just out from
the east and came up from the railroad
to-day. You live near, I suppose?"
"Yes, quite near."
Then they went on silently again, and
Louise kept wishing that the stranger
would ride away and leave them. His
presence and his voice bored her and
made her nervous. Paul felt that his
company could very well be spared and
he would rather have him ao, but he
had no particular objection to his pres
ence. He experienced none of that
aversion for him that i.auise felt
"Are you acquainted," asked the
stranger, again breaking the pause.
"with Solomon Scruggs over at Para
dise Park?"
"I am, said I'aul, "and I suppose
most anyone in this section can tell yon
the same. The most of them know him
quite well, and they would perhaps be
a great deal happier If they knew him
less."
-- "So? Then he is not popular?".
Iwy tfftfm lift
"No, nor would any other man be un
der the circumstances."
"What U that may I ask?"
'Why, loaning money to the settlers at
thieving rates of Interest. lie just robs
every man who borrows from him."
"Yon don't say? why lie must have an
Iron heart to take advantage of people
that way. Catches them in a close place,
I suppose, and then bears down on them
to the last notch?"
"That's it, exactly," said Paul
"Then ho is a merciless miscreant"
the other replied. "A heartless wretch,
and I sympathize with those who are so
nnfortunate as to fall into his power.
Indued 1 da Wel, I must ride on, for
my journey is s long one yet"
With that he put the spurs to his horse
and galloped away. . Louise listened
until he was out of hearing, then gave
a sigh of relict Paul heard her and
looked around inquiringly.
"I'm glad he's gone," she said.
"Why?" asked 1'auL '
"Because 1 don't like him." ,
"He appears to be a gentleman," Paul
urged, "and I'm sure he treated us very
respectfully. I like the way he talked
about old Scraggs, too."
- "Oh, he talked well enough, but f
don't believe be meant it I didn't Uka
his looks from the first."
"Well, I didn't notice anything par
ticular in his looks. lie is young and
very good looking. What was there
about him that you didn't like, Louise?"
"I don't know. I just know that I
don't like him, and I was glad when he
left us. I had a sort of dread and fear
of him. But he's gone now, so let's not
talk about him any more."
Louise's fancy struck Paul as rather
ridiculous, for he was very matter of
fact in his ideas, and he never counted
anything on first impressions. lie
put every man down for what he
claimed to be until he knew him well
enough to understand his character and
motives. He judged that on account of
her situation Louise waa out of humor
with the world and not in a frame of
mind to form favorable, opinions of
anvono.
they talked but little after that, and
walked at such speed that Louise soon
became exhausted. The night had
como on now, and off in the south the
cloud was stealing up, while ever and
anon a low growl of thunder rolled
slowly from the east to tho west and
vivid forks of lightning; streaked the
heavens.
"Paul," Louise said, "what shall we
do? We shall be lost out here, and
never find our way home."
"We must go on, Louise, and do the
best we can. Perhaps we may find the
way."
Again they moved forward, but with
slow step, for with fatigue, fright and
"I'M GLAD llli'g OONR," SHE RAID.
anxiety, Louise was trembling so that
she could hardly bear her weight
The cloud spread out, and soon tho
whole heavens was obscured. The
thunder grew louder and more frequent
until it became terrific, and tho light
ning flashed incessantly. Then directly
it began to ruin. First a few large,
scattering drops fell, but in a moment
this was followed by a swift dash, and
a regular downpour sueceeded. A
stout breeze sprang up, sweeping tho
rain along iu great sheets, and blinding
Paul and Louise, who were compelled
to face it
For an hour they kept on, and all the
time their speed grew less and less,
until at last Louise, who had exerted
herself to the full of her strength, sank
to tho ground la an instant Taul was
on his knees at her side holding her
head in his arms and sheltering her
fuce with his hat
'I can't go any further," she whis
pered; "not another step."
"Then rest here," Paul replied. "The
rain will blow over directly and then
wo can go on. I m glad it s so warm,
for the rain won't hurt us, and we shall
be nono the worse for the wetting. We
won't care for it when it is over, and to
morrow we can laugh about our ad
venture." But it was not the wotting or the
mere fact of being lost that worried
Louise. She realized that it waa not
the proper place for her, out there in
the night alono with her lover, and she
dreaded what her parents would think.
Bh never hud been guilty of an act
that would shake their confidence, and
sho felt that it would break her heart
if she should know they harbored even
the faintest suspicion of her. All this
cams through her mind and she broke
into tears and sobs.
Paul tried to comfort her, never see
ing beyond the bodily inconveniences of
tho hour. Honest, openhearted soul
that ho was, a thought of the impro
priety of the situation never camo to
him. He never thought of what others
might say or think; but knowing the
purity of his own motives took' it for
granted that everybody else would see
the affair in its true light
"We can't go any further," Paul said,
"until the ram is over, for we have
nothing to guide us, and if we tramped
an nigtit we would not find vour house
We might pass and repass within a few
yards of it twenty times and never
know it"
liouise silently acquiesced, for she
was too weak to stand, and knew that
it was impossible for her to go on even
if it were best So thev remained wait
ing for the rain to blow over, and hour
alter Hour passed.
It. was 4 solemn tunejtway out there
on the wide waste of lonesome prairie,
in the stillness of the night, with the
deep thunder rolling through the heav
ens and the lightning glaring and flash
ing ail about It is Impossible to pic
ture the desolation of such a scene
or to describe the feeling of loneliness
that comes over one so sit Dated.
At last tin rain ceased, and shortly
s faint gray light began to show in the
esst They knew the morning was
coming, and they never welcomed it
more gladly in ell their l:te After
several efforts Louise was able to stand.
Paul held her in his arms end slowly
they walked toward home. After
walking a short distance tho numbness
began to leave her, so she could pro
ceed with tolerable ease. An hour
brought them within sight of the cabin,
and soon thereafter John met them. He
had been out the greater part of the
night in search of his daughter. Louise
was soon at home, weeping on her
mother's bosom, while Paul and John
stood mutely looking on.
CIIAPTEH VIIL
A tlKPEXT IS THE PATH.
Two or three weeks passed, and then
one day Loui.se went across the country
to a neighbor's house. She spent the
greater part of tho day there, and it
was wcii on towati evening when she
started home. On the way back there
was a long slough, and it was full of
water lilies, and when Louise came to
it she decided to collect some of them.
Accordingly she began picking them
where they grew near the bank, but,
human-like, not satisfied with getting
what were within reach, she began to
try for those that were further out, and
the result was that she lost her bal
ance and fell into the slough. She was
not much the worse for the fall, for
the water was shallow, but her feet
stuck in the mire and she found, after
making several efforts, that she could
not extricate them.
While in this situation she heard
some ono approaching, and after the
lapse of a minute or so a horseman
came in sight, and soon he was near
enough for Louise to see that he was
the stranger who had passed her and
Paul the night of the storm. She
wanted help to get out of the slough,
but she hoped the man would pass by
without seeing her, for now the aver
sion she had felt for him came back so
strongly that she dreaded to hear his
voice, much less feel his touch.
He did not pass by, however, for he
had seen her fall and rode directly to
the spot purposely to lend his assist,
ance should it be needed. So, reining
in his horse, he sprang to the ground,
and, touching his hat, said:
"Pardon me, miss, can I be of any
service to you?"
Louise blushed and stammered a con
fused reply, which was neither an ac
ceptance nor refusal of his offer, and the
next instant ho had extended his hand
and she took it. She was soon on the
bank again, and whilo she shook the
water from her garments ho gathered
up the flowers and replaced them in her
hands. Ilis conduct was so gentleman
ly and kind, and his manner toward her
so modest that she felt she had har
bored unjust opinions of him. lie treat
ed her with tho utmost consideration
and made no reference to the awkward
accident
"There now," he said, when sho was
ready to resume her journey. "There
Is very little harm done, and I hope you
will excuse mo for intruding."
"It is no intrusion, but rather a good
service," Louise replied. "I don't
know how I should have ever got out if
you had not como. No one ever passes
this way that is, hardly ever."
"Are you going west?"
"Yes, sir. My home is a little more
than a mile in that direction."
"That is fortunate, since I am going
that way, and if you will allow me I
can have the pleasure of seeing you
nearly home. Will it be an intrusion?"
Instantly all her fear and dread of
the man camo back to Louise, and she
would have gladly spared herself of his
company. But ho had rendered her a
great service and she thought it would
be ungenerous to deny .him. So she
told him that it would not bo an intru
sion. He introduced himself as Harry Pear
son, and as they walked along he man
aged to find out a great deal about
Louise and her parents. She told him
how many years they had been in Kan
sas, and that they came out from the
east
"So yon are from the east, too," he
said. " What state is your old home?"
"Ohio."
"Indeed! That is my homo."
"Yes, we camo from near Dayton."
"Greens, and from near Dayton," the
young man mused. "That is rather
queer, sure. But pshaw 1 there are lots
of Greens in tho world, and there might
be a dozen families of the name from
near Dnyton out here in Kansas." Then
aloud he said: "I live in Dayton and
know a great many people about there.
1 suppose you have relatives and friends
in or near tho town?"
"Yes, tho Greens and the Blatchfords
live "
"Blatchfords?" the young man re
peated. "Are you is he ?" Then
recollecting himself, ho stopped.
Louise glanced up into her compan
ion's face, but he turned it away, and
"IT IS NO INTRUSION, BCT BATHER A
GOOD SK3V1CK."
when he looked around again all the
surprise had died out of it and he was
as calm as ever.
; "Do you know the Blatchfords?"
Louise asked.
"Why, I have met old Mr. Blatchford
occasionally. In fact he has transacted
some business with the house with
which I am connected. He is a banker,
I think."
"Yes, sir. At least he was. We
have not heard much from him of late."
"Indeed? He is a relative, too?"
"Ho is my grandfather."
"Ah! Well, that is your home Just be
fore us, I presume; so I will ride on.
Good day," and be lifted his hat when
be had, mounted to -his saddle, and
ii nn . su it. 1 1 1 , v ji a
SfpfLI
cantered sway.
I When he was gone Louise was sorry
1 that she had not ssked him more about
her grsndfather, for in spite of the
heartless way in which he had treated
her parents, she had a tender spot in
her heart for the old man. She would
j like to have known whether be waa
'well and happy, at lo-st and that
much the stranger might have told her.
But it was too late now, and she went
on home and told her mother of her lit
tle adventure and of the stranger.
' "Harry Pearson," Mary mused. "Xo
' I do not know anythlngof him. In fact,
I do not remember any Pearsons among
my acquaintances at home."
I That was all Mary said, but the men
ton of her father's name had set her ts)
thinking, and all that evening she went
about with a sad, distressed air, and
more than once a long-drawn sigh
scaped her, and often sho lifted her
coarse apron to her eyes to wipe away
the gathering tears.
"Oh, father, father," she wailed In
spirit "how can you be so cruel and un
feeling as to disown your only child and
fill your house with strangers. Surely,
surely, if you knew how I love you, and
bow your conduct hurts me, yon would
not be so cold and forgetful."
Through all of the poor woman's suf
ferings, nnd after all her father's ney
lect and cruelty, she loved him still
He had trampled her love in the dust,
repelled and thrown her from him, lacer
ated and bruised her heart, but she still
retained for him the love of a daughter,
and but a word or a token of kindness
from him would have sent her flying to
bis arms. -
Harry Pearson mused, as he rode
across the prairie, on the event of that
evening and the discovery to which it
had led, and his thoughts ran like this:
"There is no doubt of it not the
least These Greens are old Blatch-
ford's folks, and that girl's mother is
the one we've robbed. Bobbed? That's
putting it pretty strong, but after all
that's about what It is; we're living
there on the fat of the land at old
Blatchford's expense, while his own
daughter is living a dog's lifo out here
in this outlandish place. It's a shame,
and old Blatchford ought to be pun
ished for being such an old heathen.
He's tho one that's to blame, and not
us. Of course some people who strain
a point might tell Blatchford that he is
a fool, and refuse to accept the favors
that he ought to bestow elsewhere, but
I don't seem to have as fine a sense of
justice as that I feel sorry for these
poor devils of Greens and I sympathize
with them, but it would bo a little too
Inconvenient to go back on the old man's
kindness and generosity and renounce
it in their favor, so I guess I'll just give
them my sympathy in return for the
money that is rightfully theirs, and con
tinue to live at Blatchford's expense.
Some people might consider it rather
shabby in me, and for that matter I guess
a good many who are acquainted with
the circumstances think that way al
ready; but that is nothing in compari
son to living in poverty. No, it may
not be exactly honest and manly to live
as I do, but it's blamed nice and easy,
and that's tho main point anyhow.
"But about that girl. She's pretty,
and somehow I've taken a fancy to her.
She's an innocent little soul, and as con
fiding as a lamb. As soon as I saw her
that evening down there with that
farmer, I felt an interest in her. I sup
pose, though, sho don't h ave much of a
lilting for mo. I noticed that, too, that
evening. If sho knew mo and knew
what relation exists between us, I guess
she would like mo a good deal less. But
I'll manage to keep that a secret; and
this business with Scraggs, too, that
must be kept under cover. It's a good
thing to have a toot to bear tho blame
in such matters, and old Scraggs is so
used to being cursed that it don't hurt
him, and besides, ho gets pay for
it, anyhow. I must get up an excuse
for coming out here to Green's.' I want
to get better acquainted with tho girl."
And all the way back the young man
was busy trying to devise an excuse for
coming to Green's, and, sad day for
'.sidw he succeeded.
CHAPTER IX.
TOR BOOM AT PArtADlSE PAItK.
The summer waned and the autumn
came. The hopes of tho settlers had
been realized to a certain extent and a
fair crop had rewarded their efforts.
Paul had sold out his, and with the
money it brought him, gone back east
to take up his studies. IIo and Louise
wero engaged now with John's and
Mary's consent, and it was understood
that they were to marry as soon as Paul
returned nnd located.
John sold enough of his produce to
lift the debt from his claim, nnd imme
diately ho went down to Paradise. Park
to see Scraggs. Harry Pearson had
been out to John's two or three times
on one pretext or another, and John
had told him of the debt and of his abil
ity to pay it off if Scraggs would ac
cept the money and releaso the mort
gage. "I nm very anxious to get rid of tho
debt," John said, "and stop tho inter
est" "That's natural and right, too," said
Harry, "nnd Scraggs ought to bo will
ing to accept tho money if ho is at all
disposed to be fair. But from what I
know of him I take him to be a greedy,
grasping wretch, with no feeling of
mercy in his soul. It's a great pity you
peoplo out hero have such a man to
deal with, aud I sympathize with you."
"It is an unpleasant thingto bo in the
power of such men as Scraggs," John
replied, "and when I get clear of this
affair I hope never to get into such a
plueo again."
"I'll tell you what I'll do," said
Harry. "I'm quito well acquainted
with Scraggs, and I may have some in
fluence with him. I'll try to persuade
him to accept your money. IIo can
make an exception in your favor if he
will."
"I shall ba ever so much obliged to
you for your interest in tho matter,"
said John, "and I hope you may suc
ceed." "Yon come down in a day or two, and
in the meantime I'll talk to Scraggs."
So John went down with hismcney.
Scraggs was in his office busy with a
town plat and a couple of men who
wero selecting town lots for an invest
ment After awhilo tho sales wore
effected, and the men going out Scraggs
turned his attention to Green. With a
bland smile, and a warm handshake, he
said:
"Well, ray friend, I am very glad to
see you, and I am sorry that I had to
keep you waiting, but I am so pressed
with business since our boom set in
that I hardly get time to shako hauds
with my friends. How is Mrs. Green
and the family?"
"Quite well, I thank yout You spoke
of a boom. What do you refer to?"
"Why, our boom here. Hadn't you
heard of U"
"No, not a word."
"Well! well! that's queer. Why. sir,
our town Is hsving a wonderful boom.
Lots ore going off like hot cakes, snd
almost every day we are laying out
new additions. Within the last week
we bsve sold out three entire additions
of forty acres each. Yes, sir, we have
a great boom the most wonderful
thing on recordand it's a settled fact
that within two years we will have
here a city of twenty thousand popula
tion. I have invested every dollar I
' can get hold of, and wish I had a mil
lion to invest This is the great chance
of a lifetime for amassing a fortune.
As Shakespeare says, there Is a time
in the affairs of men which, if taken at
the right moment, leads on to fortune,'
and in our case that time is right now."
"How are you selling your lots?"
i "Selling 'era low, very low, dirt cheap;
one-third cash and balance on long time
and easy terms. Here now is the plat
of an addition just put on the market
j It is going so fast that we can hardly
make out the papers fast enough to
keep np with the sales. This addition
SELLING 'EM LOW, VEBT LOW."
is close in, and is bound to become busi
ness property, every foot of it, and I
can sell you a lot there for ten dollars
per foot away below its worth."
"Yon say it is close in?"
"Yea, sir, right in town."
"About how far is it from here?"
"Not a bit over a mile."
"A mile?" John exclaimed. "Why,
I'd call that tolerably far out for a town
of sixty or seventy population."
"Far out?" Scraggs cried. "Why,
great goshen,- man, it's in. Why, there's
additions laid off two miles beyond that
This is going to be a city, I tell you a
great western metropolis."
"Do you think so?"
"Think nothing. I know it That's
a settled fact, and in less than twelve
months from to-day you will see twen
ty thousand population here, and these
lots I am offering you for ten dollars a
foot will bo selling at from five to six
hundred a foot. Think of that and tell
mo what you can invest money in to
beat it?"
"What is this boom based on, Mr.
Scraggs?" John asked.
"Based on solid facts. There is not
a town of any importance within a hun
dred miles of us, is there?"
"No, thero is not," John admitted.
But if ho had known, ho might havo
said that there were two or three hun
dred within that radius that expected
to amount to something, and were, like
Paradise Park, making frantic efforts
to amount to something. But John did
not know this.
"Well, then," Scraggs went on,
"wo'vo got to have, a great commercial
center out here, and wo propose to be
it Wo'vo got three or four railroads
planned out and tho companies organ
ized to build them. First, thero is the
Kansas City, Topeka & Paradise Park
lino. Second, there is tho Chicago,
Omaha & Paradise Park line. Then the
Galveston & Paradise Park line, and
last, the New York, St. Louis & Para
dise Park line. There are other lines,
but we do not mention them, for they
are not what we choose to call certain
ties. Franchises have been granted for
several lines of cable road, and charters
issued for water and gas works. Plans
have been drawn up for a dozen or more
brick blocks, and of course that is but a
taste of what is to follow. If you want
to be an independently rich man, with
more money than you know what to do
with, just invest every dollar you can
rake together, and do it right now.
You'll never havo such another chance,
mark my word for that."
Scraggs had rattled on at such a rate
and with such wild enthusiasm, that
John Green felt quite dazed, and he
scratched his head and walked tho floor
a few times before he could get his
mind into working order. Even then,
when ho felt calm and collected, his
mind appeared unbalanced and such
phrases as "town lots," "close in," "ten
dollars a foot" "great metropolis,"
went dancing through it like imps. But
eventually ho collected his scattered
senses sufficiently to recall the business
that brought him to Scraggs' office, and
forthwith he stated it
"I'm sorry, Mr. Green," Scraggs said,
with a shaking of his head, "but I
couldn't possibly accept your money.
Tho mortgage will have to run its time
before it can be paid."
"I would like to stop the interest,"
John replied, "and I havo the money,
and cannot use it otherwise."
"Can't?" exclaimed Scraggs. "If I
had it I could mighty soon invest it
Why, what have I been telling you?
Here, buy lots, man. You'd as well
turn a thousand dollars or so as any
body else. You can make five or six
hundred per cent on that money as
easy as not. Do like everybody else
like your neighbors out there and in
vest here."
John was about to offer some objec
tion, but before he could say anything
the door opened and seven or eight men
camo in, all anxious to make purchases
of lots. Scraggs had talked them up
earlier in the day, and they had been
out to see tho additions, and now came
back full of enthusiasm.
John listened to their talk, and, after
they went out, listened to Scraggs some
more, and at last the fever began to
take on him. All his neighbors who
bad mortgages on their homes and
couldn't pay them because they were
not' due were investing in town lots,
and he supposed that if everybody was
investing he might as well do so, too.
If it worked out right it was a grand
opportunity to get a start in the world
and build him a nice home and place
bis wife and child outside the pales
of want Yes, ho believed that he'd
invest since he couldn't pay off the
debt ne told Scraggs so, and In no
time Scraggs had his papers out ready
to write up the contract and get it all
safe before, somebody else got all the
choice lots. John thought he'd better
go home and talk the matter over with
Mary first, but another rush of cus
tomers and another sale of a dozen lots
decided him that delay was dangerous,
so he told Scraggs to go on and fix up
the contract then and there.
Scraggs, by the way, was a typical
western real estate agent in some par
ticulars, at least He was full of busi
ness, unsparing of his talk, bland, smil
ing and wildly enthusiastic He was a
bustler from the word go, and he never
tired of talking np and showing up the
advantages of his town. It came as
natural to bim to figure up enormous
profits on investments in town lots as it
did to eat and sleep, and he always made
it so plain that the wonld-be investor
could almost see the profits stickingout
He always made each customer feel that
be was giving him a decided advantage
over all other customers by letting him
him have lots that be bad reserved for
bis own special tooth, so to speak.
It must not be inferred that Scraggs,
or for that matter the average western
real estate agent was or is dishonest
Scraggs had tots of business, and cus
tomers were crowding on him anxious
to make Investments, and there was
lots of money in it to him, and he was
anxious to build up his town, and all
that sort of thing; so likely as not he
never had time to think of what the
outcome of the affair might potsib'y be
to his investors. Under such circum
stances the best of us are liable to for
get some things. But enough of that
When John Green got his papers and
had paid down his money, he left Mr.
Scraggs' office and started down street
lie bad not gone far, however, before,
in turning a corner, he came face to
face with Harry Pearson, who was hur
rying along in the direction of Scraggs'
office. Harry was coming at such
speed that he did not see Green until he
had nearly collided with bim, and when
he did see him he stopped dead short
and from his looks and actions it was
apparent that he would not have been
more surprised if he had met the czar
of Russia with all his royal attendants.
"Why! Mr. Green," he exclaimed, "is
it possible you are in town so early?"
"Yes," said John, "I came down this
morning."
"That so? Well, you haven't seen
Scraggs yet, at any rate?"
"Yes, I "have just come from his of
fice." "What! You've seen Scraggs?"
"Yes, and tried my best to get him to
accept the money, but he wouldn't"
"I'm sorry you mentioned it to him
until I got there. I was on my way
now, and hurrying with all possible
speed to get there before you did. But
perhaps you have not come to any terms
with him yet?"
"Yes, I have. I have invested the
money in town lots."
"Tut tut Just my luck. I think if
I had been there I could have induced
Scraggs to release the mortgage. I gave
him a blowing up about it last night
and he half way promised me that he'd
let you off. If I could have got there in
time I could have held him to it, but it
was just this minute that I got in from
EE WAS A HUSTLES FROM THE WORD GO.
the country. I'll make old Scraggs sor
ry that he didn't do as I wanted him to,
as sure as you're born, I will."
(Continued.)
Electric Itailway.
In 1885 thero were three electrifl
railways in operation, with thirteen
cars: in 1886, livo with thirty cars; in
1887, seven with eighty-one cars; in
1888, thirty-two with l'.'io ears; in
1889, 104 with 965 cars; in 1890, 126
with over 2.000 cars; t:nd there are
cow in operation and under contract
in America, Groat Britain, Germany,
Italy, Australia and Japan no fewer
than 325 roads, requiring over 4,000
cars and 7,000 motors, with 2,000
miles of track, making a daily mileage
of not less than 400,000 miles, and
carrying 750,000,000 passengers.
THE FARMER'S SIDE.
" Where we are, how we got here,
and the way out."
By Hon. W. A. PEFFER,
V. S. BEXATOB PRO KANSAS.
12nio, clotli ... Trice, S1.00.
There is a domand for a comprehensive and
authoritative book which shall represent the
runner, and set forth his condition, the influ
ences surrounding him, and plans and prospects
for the future. This book lias been written ly
Hon. W". A. Pcffer, who was elected to the
L'niteJ States Senate from Kcnsas to succeed
Sonator Ingalls. The titlo is The Farmir's
Side, and this indicates tho purpose of the work.
In the earlier chapters, Senator I'efler de
scribes tiie condition of tho farmer in varirus
parts of the country, and compares it with the
condition of men in other callings. He carefully
examines the cost ef labor, of living, the prices
of crops, taxes, mortgages, and rates of interest.
He (rives elaborate tables shoving tho increase
of wealth in railroads, manufactures, banking,
and other forms of business, and he compares
this with the earnings of the fanner, and also
wapo-workera in general. In a clear, forcible
style, with abundant citations of facts and fig
ures, the author toils how t!:o farmer reached
his present unsatisfactory condition. Then fol
lows an elaborate discussion of " Tho Way out,"
which is the fullest and most authoiitativc pres
entation of the aims and views of the Farmers'
Alliance that has been published, including full
discussions of the currency, the questions of
intorest and mortgages, railroads, tho sale of
crops, and other matters of vital consequence.
This book is the only one which attempts to
cover the whole ground, and it is unnecessary
to emphasize its value. It is compendium of
the facts, figures, and suggestions which the
farmer ought to havo at hand.
The Farmer's Bin has just been issued,
and makes a handsome and substantial book
of 2S0 pages. We have arranged with the pub
lishers for its sale to our readers at the pub
lishers' price. Tba book may be obtained at
our office, or we will forvard copies to any
address, post-paid, on receipt of (1.00 per copy.
Address
ALLIANCE I'UB. Co., Lincoln Neb.
Xotlce U CmI fmtru
I bare been able t eoiupiuie arrang
mcnts whereby we are better ab.e
than we bare been heretofore to make
satisfactory prices on ail grades of
Can ju City and l riuidad coal, aa well
as the beat grades of Kouhern Colo
rado coal, over any line ef road run
ning out of Denver or Pueble. Their
capaci'y is sufficient to guaraatee
prompt shipment. I will keep pur
chasers posted on prices upon applica
tion. The lowest possible wholesale
rates are obtained. Cash must accom
pany all orders.
J. W. Hartley, State Agt,
Lincoln, Neb.
For the Germans.
The first and only work ever written
on currency reform in German is "Geld"
by Robert Schilling. It is a translation
and enlargement of hia'Silver question"
and sure to make converts The retail
prico is 25 cents, but it will be furnished
to reform organizations and agents at a
greatly reduced rate. A sample copy
will be sent for 15 cents. Address
Alliance Pcb Co.,
20tf Lincoln, Neb.
The majority Have Them.
In the S51 towns and cities of Mass
achusetts 243 now have free publio
libraries, and the state baa lately pro
vided aid for tho 103 small towns and
vIILmw which havo no li brariea.
H. R. BAILEY,
Wholesale Commission
MERCHANT.
DEALER IN
Butter, Eggb, PouItry,Potatoes
AND
BAILED HAY.
S3m6) 1326 U Street. Lincoln. Neb.
IF YOU MEAN BUSINESS. ,
and intend that our People' movement shall
triumph, you should rally to the support of
THE LABOR WAVE,
owned, edited and published by the Assembly
of Nebraska. Knights of Labor, la the piaoe
of all places where the truth, plainly and fear
lessly spekea will accomplish the most good
Omaha. Subscribe now and put this paperon
a sound flnaoclal basis. Address all cora
mHn'oitlo'js to Anson H. Biqklow, State
Secretary. 1H01 DnuglasSt. Omaha. Neb.
-TRUEvNAHONiLIST."
Progressive, Fearless and Spicy.
SUB.SfKIPTIOJi, . 81.00 PEtt YEAR.
Arirnratc-s the Initiative, the Referendum and the
Imperative ttundato as t ie be( means rt pnigrcw
on Ihullutsof Human Liner' v. Commends it prin
ciples to MEN of nil political iiurtiu. Corner
llcnver aud lVurl blleela, tiew Yor city.,
OKLAHOMA 1 11
Nearly 8.000,000 Acres soon to be opened to
Settlement.
ARE YOU INTERESTED?
Subscribe for
The King-Fisher News,
By Shaw & Thaw.
Official Paper of King-Fisher County and city.
It is ibe leading People's Party paper la
Oklahoma Territory, and also given th gene
ral and local news pertaining to the opening
of the great i;be?enne and Arrapaboe ceuntry
also tho Cherokee stilp. King-Klsher will
probably be tbe capital, and Is one mile and a
half from the Cheyenne and Arrapaboe line
One year f 1; 6 mon's 60c; 3 nion's 26o.
Address Shaw & Shaw,
2?tt King-Fisher, Oklahoma.
$1,000.00 IN GASH.
DO YOU WANT IT?
We issue a four pare, sixteen column edi
tion of The Witness every Krlriny st IWcts. a
year. This edition Is a tirst c rks Al liance and
Peoples party paper, and eon mine a large cur
toon every weeK.
We want seems everywhere and have ar
ranged to offer every atreut and reform pa
pt r publisher cash premiums. Send Sets, for
6mple8, blanks aud our circular to agents
and publishers. Address, THE WITNESS
23U Frankfort, Ky!
The Alliance Defender
Published at Richmond, Mo., by ChaS N
Brown is a straight out PEOPLE'S PARTV
paper. You should send at once and have it
forwarded to your address. OnlyfiOoa year
S4w2) Address Alliance Pkkemk,
Lock Box 45M. Kiehmend, Mo.
'tTCCI unilPtOK rriinr
w i lll nunutn rLnuc
MACHINE.
Rubs easily weaves
ranio'v. Th
be.
st
steel uiacbine made,
w h o l e s ale prices
where we have no
sgenls. Freight paid.
r r cirouIRr to the ttosheu Fenre Ma. Co.,
Mention this paper. Goshen, ind
J. THOItF k Co.,
Manuf actureri ef
Rubber Starips, Seali,
Stencils, Badges snd
Baggage Checks
tl Bverr JJesoription. Established 1W.
i S Uih St. LINCOLN. NB
PENSION J
THE DISABILITY BILL 13 A LAW,
Soldiers Disabled Since the War are Entitled.
Dependent widows and parents now depend
ent whse sons died lroui effects of army
service ara included. 1 f you wish your claitr .
speedil7 aid and eneoossl'iillv prrmpctitod,
LateJoissioner JAMES TANNER
of Pensions. 47-1 y Washington, li. C .
THE PERKINS WIND MILL.
NO DOUBT
BCT
if A FACT
THE PEBKINS
Is the Lightest Running
Wind Mill now Made.
BUY IT I TRY IT!
After 31 years of success la the manurav
tcre of Wind Mills, we have lately made a
oomplete change In our mill, all parts being
built stronger and better proportioned and a
self lubricant bushing placed In all boxes to
save the purchaser from climbing high tow
ers to ol lit, Tho tame prinnial -f self gov
erning retained. 3very par: of the Mill ful
ly W A KK ANTED, and wLl run Without mak
ing a noise.
The reputation gained by the Perkins MU
In the past has induced some unscrupulous
persons to imitate tht mill and even to take
our name and apply It to ao inferiormjll Be
not deceived, noae genuine unless stamped
a below. We manufacture both pumping
and geared mills, tanks pumps etc., and gen
eral Wind Mill supplies. Good Agents want
ed. Send for catalogue and prices. 414m
I-KKttUNS, WlXD HILL AX CO.,
. . Mlshawaka, lad.
Mention Farmibs' Alliakcb.
in
1
V
(