TfTE MAFIA TAILY REE: WE ON ESP AY. "N'OVEMREn 2.'. AfKl.t,
r
HE
THE "DOUBLE GROSS" AT BUENA VISTA
By Frank B. Moore.
; (Copyright, 1903, by Frank B. Moore.)
They all had their hammers out that
winter In Buena Vista. It seemed, too, aa
if Provldenoe had Joined the knockers and
waa using a sledge. Only a few steadfast
souls like the able and conservative editor
of the Evening Journal remaligtd firm. In
very Issue, editorially, he advocated hope,
unity and progression In one column, while
' In the next he chastised with stinging ad
Jectives the president of the railroad who
had ordeted the Bhops moved away.
tiuena Vista was a railroad town. Four
lung, slender lines of steel glistened
through Its suburbs, met in 'its heart and
led away toward the points of the compass
over the billowy prairies that touched the
vague horizon In summer a blending green
'and blue, In winter merging brown and
gray. The shops were the life of lt all
divisions centered there and every two men
in three had something to do with the rail
road. Round about It lay the most fertile
agricultural land that Qod had set down in
the center of the state men had named
, Missouri.
old General Gordon de Bmet, coming
back from the Mexican war, had camped
un a sloping green and, with a poetical
fani'V railed it uuena vista unoci view.
i ... . I. k I JM X. J . . ,
antelope that furnlrhed sjppor for his
tump. Hurrying argonauts had stumbled
Into a fringe of cottonwoods along; a smooth
(prairie stream and they cal'ed IU Silver
river. There they stayed. The soldier, the
gold seeker, the natural born farmer from
Virginia agreed thut heaven smiled quite
joyously on them, and so, happily, one
morning the sun rose on a row of low,
Wooden houses where- the night before It
Jad set on a straggling group of tents.
'jind Buena Vista was on the map. Then
came the railroad and the town grew.
hi one remember why It was, and few
caret ly nrall when It was, but a magnate
Whufc name two decades ago was the best
kiifivit in Wall street swore vengeance
g,iut' the town.
"I ahull make the grans grow In your
Old
Underoof
R
ve
There arc plenty of wkiskies you can
get for less money than Old Underoof
Rye. But it is poor economy to save the
slight difference in cost when you can get
Underoof quality. It is soft, pure, de
licious, and has the least reactive effect.
CHAS. DENNEHY 6 CO.. Chicago
Tickets on sale November 28, 29 and 30; return limit December 7.
The Chicago Special leaves at 7:00 a. m. a daylight train to Chicago.
The Vestibuled Flyer leaves at 4:00 p. m. the early morning train into Chicago.
The Burlington's Number 12 leaves at 8:05 p. m., arriving Chicago at 9.03 the next morning.
i
All the above trains carry comfortable chair cars, seats free; up-to-date palace sleeping cars, the kind with the large toilet
rooms and roomy berths; the Burlington dining cars you pay for what you order every equipment to make traveling comfortable.
streets," he said, and left the council of
cltUens in a towering rage. Uls name and
his son's name dally appear In the second
col'imn on the editorial page of the Eve
ning Journal. From that day the prosper
ity of the thriving city of 20,000 began to
wane. Even the able and conservative ed
itor of the Evening Journal, while advo
cating hope, unity and progression publicly
In Its columns, privately admitted that it
looked blue for Buena Vista. With a
stanch few he organized a Business Men's
club. "Knocks for knockers" was their
motto "We must get manufactures," their
watchword.
"We have depended altogether too long
on the railroad for our prosperity," an ar
ticle read In the Journal after the first
meeting of the club. "Let us flow '.urn our
attention to something more Si batantitil.
We have coal and water here in abundance
an 1 our natural resources should be de
veloped." So it came to pass that much correspond
ence with commercial centers near and far
began to attract notice to the advantages
of Buena Vista as an admirable site foi
factories.
There was no surprise, therefore, when
one fine April morning an unpretentious
and businesslike stranger called upon
Major William Turner, the oldest real es
tate dealer in Buena Vista, and extended
a card by way of Introduction. It read.
"Benjamin X. Audrey, Buffalo, N. Y." Mr.
Audrey asked a great many questions about
property values and spent three days very
pleasantly the guest of members of the
realty dealing fraternity, who saw that
he dined regularly, drank at moderate in-
fervals and rode behlng good horses over
11 the suburbs and vacant places.
Within a week Mr. Audrey of Buffalo had
properly drawn options on every one of
the dozen choicest building sites in the
town. He wore a very cheerful look as he
bade his new-made friends au revolr.
"You will hear from me soon," he said
to the littl; group of real estate men on
the station platform.
Now, as things were seemingly taking a
LnJ U ILZfUlUJ UUUtpJ diiL L
mora roseate color the ancient enmities
of the prosperous days were revived, and
when the erstwhile friends of Mr. Audrey
of Buffalo looked after the departing train.
In the mind of each one thought was up
permostthat deal must be mine, Aa a
natural consequence there was a growing
reticence manifest In real estate circles.
"It's a fine day," said Captain Wolfley,
"real' estate and Are Insurance," dryly to
Major Turner.
"A very fine day, indeed," replied Major
Turner politely to Captain Wolfley.
"But there may De rain soon. We need
It," interpolated Senator Carraack, with
an ebullition of brilliancy that was truly
remarkable for a man who made his mark
oratorically as lieutenant governor and
presiding officer of the state senate In the
legislature of 1886.
Not a word was said about the dozen op
tions the gentlemanly Mr. Audrey was
carrying off In his inside pocket, but each
Buena Vlstan hoped his own would return
profitably.
For the next three days a profound and
all-pervading s'lence telgned over the real
estate and manufacturing situation. Rec
ords in the court house received a thumb
ing as records never received before. There
was an undertone of adroit inquiry that
set the keen nose of Eddie Hustle, the
Journal's local editor, on the scent of a
story. Eddie knew that Major Turner's
clerk, Larry O'Brien, was a bright boy,
and he Invited him out to play pool. Larry
enjoyed winning four games easily, and
poured a stein or two of beers through his
Kieen cravat, but he was second cousin to
the sphinx on business mattor.
It was April it Major Turner remem
bered the day because It waa his birthday
a gentleman of imposing appearance regis
tered at the Elks, the leading hotel, as
"John I Wilson. Detroit." Mr. Wilson
wore a silk hat, new and glistening, a
ruddy complexion and sldewhlskers of that
tinge. He looked prosperous, and might
be taken for 'the old man" In any large
business concern. That was the Impression
young Earl Baunderson, secretary of the
Business Men's club, received Khen Mr.
Wilson of Detroit called on htm to make
a few inquiries.
"Yes, I am Interested In manufacturing
In Detroit," Mr. Wilson admitted to Major
Turner, when discussing business matters
an hour later.
Mr. Wilson was greatly chagrined to
learn that an option was already taken on
a beautiful building site owned by the
major. Ills disappointment seem'eu to
deepen as he saw agent after agent and
found apparently that all the desirable
sites tor manufactories were held at op
tion by a roan who had been looking over
the field a few day's before.
"An option on that for $7,000!" ho said re
gretfully to Mr. Burdlck of Burdlck 4
Meyers. "Why, I would have made II
$10, WO spot cash."
In the course of two days Mr. Wilson ef
Detroit had admired twelve beautiful build1
lug sites In Buena Vista and had praised
them far beyond their market value; he
had also created the Impression that ha
was a manufacturer of furniture, of Im
mense wealth, and that his firm was intent
on establishing a southwestern branch.
The d.y after Mr. Wilson's departure Mr
Audrey appeared in Buena Vista.
"Ah, Major Turner," he cheerily re
marked, as he stepped into that gentle
man's office. "I have returned to dlscuse
further my proposition with you."
"II you what I'll do, Mr. Audrey
I ' no $100 for that option," the majui
r , shortly.
"Isn't the laud for sale, or have' you a
bi-tter offer?"
"I think I'll hold on to It a little whilr
'The option is yours for $S00." the
stranger agreed after a Utile reflection.
The Observation Cars on the Chicago Special and Number 12 are
equipped with particularly attractive and convenient lounging rooms.
Ticliots
"All right," said Major Turner, thinking
of the greater profit he would make; "Iff
$500."
It waa a busy day for Mr. Audrey. When
it became .known he waa In town there waa
a general search for him. He sat In hik
room at the Elks hotel and received real
estate agents all the forenoon. When the
last one had gone he held In his hand a
dozen checks aggregating $6,000.
"The manufacturing business does pay,"
he murmured to himself satlsfylngly, aa he
sent below for a highball. Then Mr. Au
drey buttoned his coat, stepped out to tho
First National bank and converted hi
checks into cash. '
Under the influence of a soft, brown curl
brushing his cheek in the cool of the eve
ning, Larry O'Brien forgot his maxim that
day "a still tongue denotes 'a wise head."
In a rubber-tired buggy he was whirling
through a suburban lane with his Prut
sweetheart beside him and his mind dwelf
on the future.
"There's a big furniture factory coming
from Detroit and the town'll be fixed," said
Larry characteristically to Mabel. The soft j
breezes were bringing up from the south I
the freshening odors- of spring. The way
side grasses were murmuring to the sprout
ing daisies. Larry quoted a familiar line
from "Locksley Hall," then he told a great
deal more about the coming enterprise
all in "strictest confidence."
When the drive ended and Mabel was set
down at her own gate she found her dearest
friend, Catherine, there. It would be no be
trayal of confidence to tell her the joyous
tidings. She told Catherine; Catherine on
the way home told her dear friend, Edna;
Edna told Rosemary and by 9 o'clock the
Intimate chum of the intimate chum ot
Mabel's dearest friend, down to the ninth
relation of confidantes, knew that there was
something remarkably Interesting doing In
business circles.
The Hon. Horatio Mulberry, attorney-at-law,
was removing his dressing gown pre
paratory to retiring when his daughter,
Geraldine, burst Into the room and asked
If he knew "a big furniture factory was
coming from Detroit."
"Yes. it's all settled," said Geraldine, add
ing naively, "everybody knows it."
Judge Mulberry thought thut he knew
a little more about furniture factories than
anbody else in that town, and when his
daughter's revelation came to him he
thoughtfully drew his fingers across his
chin while he pondered. Then he took off
his slippers and begun to draw on his shoes.
"There's an Important letter In my office
that should get off on the midnight train,"
he said in response to his wife's anxious
Inquiry aa to where he was ging "at that
time of the night.". "I've Just remembered
it."
Instead of going to his own office, how
ever, he went to the telegraph office ano'
wrote this dispatch addressed to a Baglna
manufacturer:
Agent of Detroit people here moving
mysteriously. If we ran mike announce
ment now the field Is ours.
Then Judge Mulberry returned home and
to rest. .
"There surely is something doing," said
Operator Jack Whitney to his chief in the
telegraph office at noon the next day. "ThiM
Is the twelfth message of this kind l'v
sent today."
lie sat at the key and clicked off:'
John L. Wilson Detroit Mich. Your of
fer is accepted. Answer.
William Turner.
"There must be some awakenings in the
old town," said Peter Osterbach. proprietor
of the Cafe Owl, to his chef, at the same
hour. "This Is twelve small dinners for
three tonight and ail of then! ordered by
real estate men. "What Is doing, th? We'll
see."
Three score hot birds and mora than
three score cold bottles were prepared by
the chef of Cafe Owl at 9 o'clock. The large
dining-room was decorated with small flags
and a dozen tables were arrayed In snowy
linen.
"I can't understand It yet hew dem fel
lers has reasons for blowing themselves,"
commented Herr Osterbach to himself.
"But It may be a surprise party like leap
year, maybe."
That; evening Major Turner and his two
friends were the first to arrive. The major
stopped In slight amazement when he saw
the ample preparations and brilliantly
lighted dining-room.
"Why, what's going on here, a banquet?"
he asked the proprietor.
"Ach, yes! Some small dinner parties!
You are one!" Herr Osterbach was broad
ly smiling. "Your table It waa here."
Presently Mr. Burdlck of Burdlck &
Meyers sauntered with two friends.
"Ah, major, a little dinner party! I am
having a birthday myself," he said.
The ltval real estate men eyed each other
suspiciously and when Senator Carmack
appeared with two friends, closely followed
by Captain Wolfley and his two guests,
the air of mystery Increased. Seven more
trios were quickly added to the diners, and
the repartee was replete with Innuendo. .
'Now, major," urged one ot Turner's
guests, "what's the good news what'a It
all about? What the devil is all this mys
tery for? The duck Is good, but you had
a birthday last week."
"Be patient," replied the veteran real es
tate dealer, wondering some himself what
the explanation was to be. "I'm expecting
a telegram and If It comes it may enlighten
us."
Covert glances were exchanged from time
to time between the tables, but none of
the reserve of the dozen hosts extended to
the two dozen guests at the feast.
"I suppose we'll have the surprise, opened
for dessert," suggested City Treasurer
Langhart, who sat at Captain Wolfley
table.
"I hope dessert will not be puzzle pic
tures," protested Captain Earhart of Com
pany D, N. F. M., from a table on the
other side of the room.
While the corks were popping the Hon.
Horatio Mulberry entered, accompanied by
a suave, smooth faced, stocklly built man,
whom he introduced to those nearest him
as "Mr. Jerome, a New York detective and
an old friend of mine. He's out here on
the trail of a couple of smooth crooks
wanted In his town, who are supposed to
be working in this neighborhood."
"Judge, won't'you Join us?" asked one
of a convivial trio. "We're attending a
surprise party, and you might as well be
In at the finish."
"If there's anything left," the lawyer
answered, and sought a table with his
friend.
At that moment a messenger boy ap
peared with a bunch of telegrams In his
hand. He went from one table to another
and began to distribute them, the last to
the Hon. Horatio Mulberry. His was the
only steady hand that lifted the yellow
envelope and tore the end. The others
favored were the dozen hosts ot the dinner
parties.
"Now it's coming!"
"All together!"
"Telephone the news to Mary!"
And kindred remarks calculated to make
a rift in the suspense were passed along.
There followed a moment of permeating
silence. Judge Mulberry arose, held aloft
his telegram, and said:
"Uentlemen, 1 have here a bit of very
pleasing news. Listen." And he read, with
deliberation:
8AUIKAW, Mich.. April lit To the Hon.
lloratlu Mulberry. Buena Vista, Mo.: Tell
your people thut we accept your offer, and
will establish our large southwestern
brunch agency And factory lu- your city.
The L'nlvernal Furniture Company.
H. B. THOMPSON, President.
. "Hurrah for Butna VUta"' some one
Jllbv
Fornam Sir
UUli
cried, and a chorus went up from every
throat.
"That's It." said Major Turner, quietly,
folding hla telegram and putting it in his
pocket.
The others were quick to follow the act,
and only the Imp who delivered them
knew that the other twelve telegrams were
from Detroit and read:
"John L. Wilson not known here,"
YE OLD-TIME LADIES' MAN
Characteristics of m Unique- Individual
W ho Flourishes In Differ
ent Aces.
Out of old newspapers, as well as "out
ot old books," come fragments of recorded
experience and ripe wisdom oftentimes
apropos to present-day conditions. The
characteristics of "a ladies' man" ure
pithily set forth in a copy of the Nantucket
Inquirer for 1828, in a style probably framed
on the famous Addison, ar.d the conclusion
of the whole matter is reached through
a series of sometimes apt, always quaintly
flavored comparisons.
"There have been characters In all ages
of the world to whom this motto has been
applicable. It would not be difficult, even
in sacred history, to point out a few, ut
least, who were similar to such as are at
the present time denominated ladles' men;
and profane history abounds with Instances
almost Innumerable. But to go back to re
mote ages of the world, even to the time
that 'Jacob kissed Rachel,' for a character
to exhibit In this speculation would be
quite unnecessary, for the present age fur
nishes a great variety of specimens.
"First A ladles' man is not like a gen
tleman's man. The former addresses him
self to the passions, the latter to the un
derstanding; the formev attempts to be
witty, while the latter Is contented with
being regarded aa a man of sense; the for
mer compliments the ladles, in hopes ot
being complimented In turn; the latter
speaks In terms of commendation from a
consciousness ot female merit; the former
affects more complaisance than ha feels,
the latter feels more than he expresses;
the former Is always adulatory, the latter
is always candid; the former Is always
fawning, the latter Is always respectful;
the former expresses friendship without
feeling it. the latter, often from motives
of delicacy, conceals that which he feels;
the former Is always gay, the latter Is al
ways polite; the former Is always unre
served, the latter Is discreet; the former
is ambitious of distinguished attentions,
the latter contents himself with a reason
able share; the former would fain make the
ladies believe they ara a race of superior
IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE
ROOM YOU HAVE
If your room is not warm .
move you will find an in
teresting directory of rumes
all parts of town all prices in
The Bee want ad pages.
Tel. 238.
beings and too divine for a terrestrial
residence, the latter confers on them a
Just tribute of honor by regarding them ns
rational creatures, and, Ilk the other sex,
designed to be at least a while on earth
before being translated to the empyrean
abodes ot bliss; the former is admired only
by ladies ot weak mind, the latter re
ceives the homage and respect from women .
of the brightest t-nderstandlng; the for
mer, like a meteor, may dazzle for a mo
ment, the latter shines with a steady ar.d
serene light; the former makes a better
gallant than husband, the latter a better
husband than gallant; the former Is de
spised by the moat valuable part of both
sexes, the latter Is esteemed by all whops
esteem la worth having.
"We shall now" the writer has laid his
foundation "attempt briefly to show what
a 'ladles' man' Is like. He Is like a baboon,
decked In gay attire, that attracts atten
tion -by fantastlo and ridiculous tricks; he
Is like a lunatic, for he makes sonnets to
the moon and recites tender stanzas to the
ladies; he Is '.ike a butterfly, fond of living
among flowers, but makes no honey; he Is
like a serpent, that fascinates to destroy;'
ha Is like a jackdaw, because he ihinks he
has no equal; he Is i'.ke a weathercock,
turned In any direction by a sigh; he Is like
a mole, for you never know, where to find
him; he is like a mock sun, which shines
only in an Impure atmosphere; he is like
the dew, for he passeth off In vapors; he
Is like a mermaid, never what he appears
to De; ne is HKe froth, for he dwells only
on the surface of Uilngs; and. Indeed, he Is
like anything except a true gentleman ami
a profitable companion." New York
Tribune.
TOD SLOAN ASKS DAMAGES
American ' Jockey Wants French
Jockey CInb e Pay Htm Forty
Tfconsaad Dollars.
PARIS, Nov. 84. The suit of "Tod" Sloan,
the American Jockey, against the French
Jockey club came up In the civil court to
day. Sloan claims $40,000 damuges for he.
Ing warned off the turf in connection with
Count De Sain-Phalles' Rose De Mai, win
ning the race for the prix de Diane, at the
Chantilly races. May 17, 1903. The case is
attracting much attention, as It Involve,
ths Jockey club's' sole control of the turf
administration.
Maltre Labor! began the presentation of
Sloan's case by protesting against the ao
tlon. The main point of M. Labori's argu
ment was that Sloan being In this case,
neither the trainer, nor the Jockey, but
merely employed to gallop horses, waa tint
subject to the jurisdiction of the club. The
case waa adjourned for a week.
Want Ad Dept.
