Pittston Gazette

              - • •• - ' —• T»\11V,H"*Z'£* \ Oldest !"ewsDatDer id the Wyoming Valley PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO., PA., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1891. A Weedy Local and hamilv lournal. =H!EIR= leeling as to disown your only child and fill your house with strangers. Surely, surely, if you knew how I love you, and how your conduct hurts would not be so cold and ' This is going to be a city, 1 tell you—a great western metropolis." "Do you think so?" "\es, 1 have just come from his office."parent is the tact that while you are making a pretense of fworing Green, you arc coming in here and commanding me to bear down on him. At my. expense you arc working- yourself into! his good graces, and at the same time getting him deeper and deeper into your toils. I know you, and I know your purpose, Pearson, and I denounce it. Furthur, I refuse to be a party to it. It is all right to rob and plunder these people with exorbitant interest, and to break them up with wild speculations, and so-long as it stops at that, I will go with you; but when it comes to an attempt to trap that innocent girl I'm out." "I shall po bacK there and marry that woman but I will not be compelled to stay there with her. I will soon find an excuse for coming west, and once here I will work to my ends and find my happiness in the society of ray little wild flower of the plains." street he stopped, half inclined to go back and accept Scraggs' offer. "If I sell out," he mused, "I will make a large profit, and besides being able to redeem my farm will have a couple of hundred dollars left towards building a home. It may be that Scraggs is right, too, and that by holding on I will lose all. Perhaps it would be safer to sell." per sue] cent C l cases them get on very well, but rare. We have had cx- 1b it to be done?" "That's what I am coming1 to," John replied; "but, after all, my suggestions may not be worth much. There are some men here who have friends in the east who are able and willing to aid' them. Those men can get means to tide them over the present  or, if they prefer, can return east with their families. Those who are thus fortunately situated need have no anxieties and fears. But there are some of us who are less fortunate and who have no one to look to for as-1 sistance. We who are in that condition must have recourse to our own energies. We must earn a living, and, since we cannot do that here, we must go where it can be done. In short,' men, we must leave our families here and go back east in search of work.1 Back in eastern Kansas and in Missouri' employment can be had at some wage*,' and even if we earn but little we ought to feel thankful if it enables ns to keep our families alive." Fdthar's Victim. "Think nothing. I know it. That's a settled fact, and in less than twelve months from to-day you will sec twenty thousand population here, and these, lots I am offering you for ten dollars a foot will be sell'ng at from five to six hundred a foot. Think of that, and tell me what you can invest money in to beat it?" "What! You've seen Scraggs?" "Yes, and tried my best to get him to accept the money, but he wouldn't." Through all of the poor woman's sufferings, and after all her father's neglect and cruelty, she loved him still.1 He had trampled her love 4a the dust, repelled and thrown her fronfhim, lacerated 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 his arms. "I'm sorry yon 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?" A STORY OF WESTERN LIFE CHAPTER XI. GREEN WANTS MORE PBOTIT. By THOMAS P. MOSTfOBT. Along in October Harry Pearson went east for the purpose of getting married. He had not gone to Green's more than once or twice after the conversation betwecti him and Scraggs, but he consoled himself in leaving with the thought that it would not be long before he was back again; and he hoped by that time to be able to sway Louise to his wishes. Then on the other hand he would recall Scraggs' reputation as a schemer and an unprincipled shark, and noting the improvements that were under way and the avidity with which other people were taking up "bargains" in real estate, he would conclude that he was right, and that Scraggs only wanted to get the lots himself because there was a big outcome to them. Seasoning pro and con, he finally decided to keep his lots, and accordingly went home, .perfectly satisfied that he had acted for the best. "Yes, I have. I have invested the money in town lots." "What is this boom based on,'Mr. Scraggs?" John asked. (COXTIOTID ) "Based on solid facts. There is not "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 CHAPTER VIII. A fcERPEST IN THE PATH. Harry Pearson mused, as he rode across the prairie, on tho event of that evening and the discovery to which it had led, and his thoughts ran like this: The young man's face changed color alternately as he listened to this speech. One moment it was livid with anger and the next flushed with a sense of shame. Once or twice he made gestures for Scraggs to stop, but the agent went on to the end. Two or three weeks passed, and then one day Lonise went across the country to a neighbor's bouse. She spent the greater part at the day there, and It was well on toward evening when she started home On the way back there "There is no doubt of it—not the least. These Greens are old Blatchford's folks, and that girl's mother is the one we've robbed. Robbed? 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 daughtef is living a dog's life out here in this outlandish place. It's a shame, and old Blatchford ought to be punished for being such an old heathen. He's the one that's t®~blaa»*C 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 be 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 continue 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 already; but that is nothing in comparison 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 the main point, anyhow. Scraggs said nothing to the Greens of the young man's intentions, for in the first place he realized that thev would be slow to believe him, and in the seeond place ho found it a little difficult to approach them on such a subject. Tinsn again he told himself that it would be premature, anyhow, to speak then, as it was probabio that once married narry would give up his designs on Louise, and even if he didn't it vould be time enough to speak when Pearson came back. So the matter rested. I "Well, Mr. Scraggs," Harry replied after a short silence, "I don't admit anything you have charged, but say you are correct, and it must be acknowledged that yon are not above reproach. Your virtuous indignation don't commcncc quite soon enough. It begins where the profits leave off. In other words you are willing to condone my crimes, as you choose to call them, and even assist me in executing them, as long as there is money in it to you. But' the moment they cease to bring a financial return to your pocket you get terribly down on them. You are willing to help 'rob and plunder' the settlers because it pays you, but there is no profit in trapping the girl, so your virtuous soul revolts at the idea. That is the size of your honor, Scraggs." was a long slough, and it w as full of water lilies, and when Louise came to! it she decided to collect some of them. The boom at Paradise Park kept rolling on and on, reaching out farther and farther until the winter came on and the severe storms and cold weather put a check to all improvement. That winter was an intensely cold one, and there was a great deal of snow, so that people ventured out but little, and as a consequence the excitement at Paradise Park died down and the sales of real estate ceased entirely. 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 \sjorc farther out, and; the result (he lost her*alaoce 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. THE TEARS OF BITTER ANGUISH FLOWED. When Green sat down several others spoke, all in indorsement of his plan, and at last it was agreed to by the meeting. It seemed a hard thing to go away leaving the wives and the children out there on the bare, brown plains, without friends or money; but there was no alternative. It was that: or worse. So it was agreed that on thai following Monday all those who wished to go east in search of employment' Bhould meet at Markham's store and start from there in a body. After the meeting John went home and informed his wife of the proposed plan. Her face paled as he spoke, and the tears started to her eyes, but with an-effort she controlled her feelings, and true to her nature attempted to look cheerfully on the arrangement. ' perience in that way, and wc know what it is to be thrown out of employment and left stranded without money and with sickness. We have hard times here, and suffer many privations and disappointments, but I would not exchange it for the east, for hero wc have a hope of a home by and by, and there we could hope for nothing. Here you are your own master, there you were the servant of your employers, who, because they paid you a pitiful salary sufficient to keep yourself and family alive, felt that they owned you body and soul. I'll take Kansas with its trials and disappointments in preference to the east." The boom at Paradise Park assumed greater proportions every hour. The sale of lots grew greater day by day, and at last the rush of customers was so overwhelming that Scraggs found it necessary to take in two extra assistants. Several new buildings were put in course of erection, and three newspapers, two of them with daily issues, wore established in the town. The investors felt no uneasiness, however, being assured that with the return of fair weather the boom would set in again with renewed vigor. In tSe spring the railroads were to be located and work was to begin on them at once; and all the other public improvements were to be got under headway, too; so then the real boom was to come, and only a few short months of inactivity was to come between. While in this situation she heard some one 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 aversion she had felt for him came back so strongly that she dreaded to hear his voice, much less feel his touch. 1 SELLING 'EM LOW, VERY LOW. a town of any importance within a hundred miles of us, is there?" "No, there is not," John admitted. But if he had known, he might have | said that there were two or three hun-, dred within that radius that  to amount to something, and were, like Paradise Park, making frantic efforts to amount to something. But John did not know this. "I admit that appearances do seem against me, Pearson, for after being a tool in your hands so long," said Scraggs with emphasis, "it would be a miracle if I had an honorable impulse left in my bosom. But miracle as it is, I have a spark of honor yet unobscured. I would say what I have, and oppose your designs on Green's daughter, even if I lost money by it. In a case like this money cuts 110 figure with me." Many of the lots were sold two or three times within as many days, and always at a largo advance. Speculation ran wild and option dealing became the rage of the hour. John Green made no effort to sell his lots, for they were well located, and he felt secure in holding them. They would go on increasing, he thought, and when the railroad companies began to construct their lines Into the place, and all the other public improvements were put under way, their value would go beyond anybody's expectations. He determined to hold them, and hold them he did. "Yes, so will I/* said John, "but I do think the settlers who come here to build up homes and improve and beautiry the land, ought to receive better treatment from tho government. There is no justicc in giving up to corporations and cattle kings all the choice portions of the public lands, leaving to the home seekers the sandy, arid plains, where nothing but sand burs and coyotes flourish. But the rich men, i suppose, must be cared for, and whatever they don't want is tendered to the poor. But after all this is perhaps as good as any place for the poor man, for he don't seem to be wanted anywhere except as a convenience to the wealthy. It is a truth, verily, that there is no place in this world for the poor. They are cumberers of the ground." HE WA9 A iruSTLEB FROM THE WORD GO. the country. I'll make old Scraggs sorry that he didn't do as I wanted him to, as sure as you're born, I will." Thus the winter passed, and by the middle of March all the snow was gone from the plains, and the tender grass began to shoot up. The boom at Paradise Park revived, and while real estate "I regret having to leave you and Louise thus," John said, "but I see no: way to avoid it, and besides the separation will not last long." "But about the town lots," John asked; "don't you consider them safe?" "Well, then," Scraps went on, "we've got to have a great commercial center out here, and we propose to be it. We've got three or four railroads planned out and the companies organized to build them. First, there is the Kansas City, Topeka & Paradise Park line. Second, there is the Chicago, Omaha & Paradise Park line. Then the Galveston & Paradise Park line, and last, the New York, St. Louis Cfc Parar dise Park line. There are other lines, but we do not mention them, for they are not what we choose to call certainties. 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 have such another chance, mark mv word for that." "Never mind us, John," said Maty. "We shall get along all right. We miss you and feel lonely while you are away, but we shall look forward to the time when you will come back to us, and the autumn and the winter will soon pass. Cheer up, dear Johs, and don't worry on our account." "Why, yes; they're safe. They're as good as bonds, and there's immense profits to be made of them. But that ain't the question, you see. You didn't want lots; you wanted to pay the debt off your farm." transactions resumed their wonted strength, the sound of the hammer, the saw and the trowel were heard on every hand. Business blocks, both frame and brick, were started up all about the center of the town, while residences were being constructed in every quarter. Unprecedented activity reigned, and Scraggs' prediction that the place would have twenty thousand population within the year bade fair to come true. ! But day after day passed, and no move toward constructing railroads or other public Improvements was made. Yet the people were strong in the faitt and kept the boom rolling. He did not pass by, however, for he had seen her fall and rode directly to (he spot purposely to lend his assistance should it be needed. So, reining in his horse, he sprang to the ground, and, touching his hat, said; "You are very pious all at once, Scraggs," said Pearson with a light laugh, "and I wonder yom didn't +nm pre ac tier in your young days. You would have made an eloquent sermonize r. But we'll drop this subject, if you please, for the present, and when I form designs against Green's girl, such as you mention, and find I am in need of your assistance in carrying them out, IH put up the 'stuff' and make you solid." "But about that girL She's pretty, and somehow I've taken a fancy to her.. She's an innocent little soul, and as confiding as a lamb. As soon as I saw her that evening down there with that farmer, I felt an interest in her. I suppose, though, she don't have much of a liking for me. I noticed that, too, that evening. If she knew mo and knew what relation exists between us, I guess she would like me a good deal less. But I'll manage to keep that a secret; and this business with Scraggs. too, thatC must be kept under cover. It's a good: thing to have a tool to bear the blame in such matters, and old Scraggs is sot used to being cursed that it don't hurti him, and besides, he gets pay for it, I must get up an excuse for coming out here to Green's. I want to get better acquainted with the girl." "Well, if the lots are safe and the returns as big as Scraggs says, why I'm satisfied with matters as they stand." "Pardon me, miss, can I be of any service to you?" [TO BK CONTINUE) J Louise blushed and stammered a confused reply, which was neither an acceptance nor refusal of his offer, and the next instant he had extended his hand and she took it. She was soon on the bank again, and while she shook the water from her garments he gathered up the flowers and replaced them in her hands. His conduct was so gentlemanly and kind, and his manner toward her bo modest, that she felt she had harbored unjust opinions of him. He treated her with the utmost consideration and made no reference to the awkward accident. "I'm glad to hear that, Mr. Green, for the investment is safe, in my opinion, and 1 think that for every dollar you put into it now you will take out five at the end of a year. So firm is my faith in it that I have invested heavily on my own account, besides advising my friends in the east to take hold; and I am glad Scraggs let you in. It is better than paying the mortgage." But Scraggs made an effort to sell them, and in a short time he found a customer who offered to take them at double what John paid. Scraggs sent for John and laid the offer before him, saying: Overdoing It. ' A lawyer returned to his home tired and worn out "You look tired, dear. I suppose yod have had a hard day's work again io court," said his wife John and Mary, being heartsore* and discouraged, were probably prone to take a melancholy view of the situation, as people are apt to do under such circumstances. But after all, who is there to say that their view, though melancholy, was not to some extent at least based on facts? Who is there tc Bay that poor men with families brought into competition with the labor of all the civilized and semi-civilized world do not have a hard time of it in the east, and feel themselves fortunate ir nine cases out of ten if they are able tc keep their dependent ones barely above want? Who is there to say againsl John Green's assertion, that the pooj jettlers on the public lands of the \ves' lave not been neglected by the govern aaent and forced to occupy the ariC plains passed ov.r by the rich cattJ men and giant corporations as usele Mary and John mr.y have looked at tL situation through smoked glass, but they did, they saw not %r vvf ' As John had feared,  rrops grew less anil less promi: with each week. The weather t Sinued dry, and day after day tho t. ran his course through cloudl leavens. The earth bccaine pare! »nd the vegetation th;.t had, in spit* all obstructions, forced itself into drooped, withered and died. For tl long months not a drop of rain 1 fallen, and it beinjj now July there w no longer any grounds for hup: on "You'll do no such thing," Scraggs exclaimed with wrath as he arose and paced the floor. "No money will induce me to aid in betraying that girl or any other girl into your power. But I'll tell you what I will do," Scraggs said, stopping before Pearson and loo Icing him square in tho eyes, "I'll warn John Green against you, and I'll warn the girl against you." "It is a big profit on the investment, Mr. Green, and my advice is to take it." "Yes, 1 am very tired; I've had a difficult case, but I've won it" "No," said John, "I can do better than that next year. Wait till the railroads come in." CHAPTER XIL A BCBSTED BOOM. "You had better take a cup of tea, and then go to bed and take a good night'* rest" John, thus confirmed in the wisdom of the turn he had made, went back to his home on the prairie highly satisfied and pleased; *ihile Harry Pearson continued his vHty to Scraggs' oflice equally as well pleased as John. The former felt that Providence and Scraggs had opened before him a quick and easy way of overcoming all his financial difficulties and placing himself and family on the high road to fortune, while the latter felt that his toils were being drawn closer and tighter about his innocent and unsuspecting victim. Each for his own reason, and widely different reasons they were, was pleased with the drift of affairs, and each smiled the smile of triumph. A month passed and then the great lxxDm at Paradise Park received a sudden check. A railroad line was located through (hat section of Kansas, but it came not to or through the place. It ran within five miles of the town, and the company located a depot and laid out a townsite at the point nearest to Paradise Park. "I tell you, Green," Scraggs went on, "now is a good time to sell. You double your money, and that is profit enough. Take my advice and sell out. I can loan your money where it will be safe and where it will bring you good interest. Make the change, then when the mortgage on your farm is due you will have the money to pay it off." "No rest for me tonight. Til hava te sit tip and watch the stable with a shotgun to 6ee that the carriage horse is not stolen." "Why, who is going to steal it?" "Yon see, 1 was defending one of th« worst horse thieves in western Texas this afternoon, and 1 cleared hCm He ii loose now, and 1 am afraid the doubledyed scoundrel will be around tonight and steal my horse."—Texas Siftings. "There now," he said, when she was ready to resume her journey. "There is very little harm done, and I hope you will excuse me for intruding." And all the way back the young man was busy trying to devise an excuse for coming to Green's, and, sad day for Louise, he succeeded. 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 the floor a few times before he could get his mind into working order. Even then, when he 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 he collected his scattered Be%ses sufficiently to recall the business that brought him to Scraggs' office, and forthwith he stated it. "You will?" exclaimed the young man springing up with flashing eyes and "It Lb no intrusion, but rather a good service," Louise replied. "I don't know how I should have ever got out if you had not come. No one ever passes this way—that is, hardly ever." clinched fisti "You will, eh?" I "Yes, I will," replied Scraggs, calmly As soon as this fact became known as a certainty the great boom burst and the embryo western metropolis lay flat. The sale of lots stopped short, and within three days the value of real estate ran down until it was impossible to sell lots at any price. The noise of the saw and hammer ceased, and unfinished buildings were left so. maintaining his position. f For a minute the two men stood silently eyeing each other, Scraggs cool, collected and immovable, and Pearson at first angry and flushed, but slowly calming down. At last the latter broke into a light laugh, and with a toss of the head spoke: "Don't be a fool, Scraggs," he said, "because that don't pay. I have no designs on the girl, and besides if I did have your putt&g in wouldn't do any CHAPTER IX. THE BOOM AT PARADI8B PARK. But John shook his head, saying: "You can get no interest to equal the profits on the lots, and besides I would rather not turn usurer." "Are you going west?" "Yes, sir. My home is a little more than a mile in that direction." The summer waned and the autumn came. The hopes of the 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. He and Louise were engaged now with John's and "Mary's consent, and it was understood that they Were to marry as soon as Paul' returned and located. Extract from a Letter. Scraggs was silent for a little while, during which he looked hard at the floor. Then looking up he said: | J '.1 il "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?" "Green, I have a purpose in advising you as I do. I do not like to say what that purpose is, but I assure you it is an honest one, and besides it is well founded. For your own good I advise yon to this step, (iet your money out of these lots, and keep it out." John, morever, felt that he owed a great debt of gratitude to Harry Pear- Then a new town on the railroad was started under the name of Magic City. Scraggs, the inevitable, shook the Instantly all her fear and dread of the man came back to Louise, wad she would have gladly spared herself of his company. But he had rendered her a great service and she thought it would be ungenerous to deny him. So she told him that it would not be an intrusion."I'm sorry, Mr. Green," Scraggs said, with a shaking of his head,, "but I couldn't possibly accept your money. The mortgage will have to run its time before it can be paid." boc for the disinterested interest he had taken in his affairs, and he longed for an opportunity him. of Paradise Park from his feet and went down to Magic City to inaugurate a boom there; and ho succeeded so well that within a few days there was a grand rush of people to the newD town, and a real estate craze rivaling that of Paradise Park began to rage.' The people who owned houses at the old town moved them to the new, and thus within a oouple of weeks the famed town of Paradise Park—the once proud infant wonder of the world —was blotted out of existence, and nothing save a few old foundations anjl the painted corner stakes remained to mark the spot where the embryo metropolis had stood. good. Do you suppose the Greens, or any of the other settlers, would take your word in preference to mine? Of course they wouldn't. It's you that is known as a heartless villain, while I, in the shade back of you, am known as a kind, feeling gentleman. These people John sold enough of his produce to lift the debt from his claim, and immediately he 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 ability to pay it off if Scraggs would accept the money and release the mortgageCHAPTEBX. THE SERPENT SHOWS ITS FAJfGS. When Pearson reached Scraggs' office he found the agent alone. He was sit-, ting at his desk, with his pen Btuck above his ear and with his face buried in his hands. It was evident from his, attitude and his listless manner that he was deeply engrossed in study. John made no reply but looked at Scraggs incredulously. The agent saw that he had made no impression, and he continued: "I would like to stop the interest," John replied, "and I have the money, and cannot use it otherwise." "Will you promise upon your oath, Green, never to whisper a word of what I am going to tell you?" He introduced himself aa Harry Pearson, and as they walked along he managed to find out a great deal about Louise and her parents. She told Wtn how many years they had been in Kan-, sas, and that they came out from the east. "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 anybody else. You can make five or six hundred per cent, on that money as easy as not. Do like everybody else—' lifce your neighbors out there—and invest here." "I don't know that it would be exactly right, but I know it would be to your interest, and would, if you acted on it, save your money and save you from a great deal of suffering, perhaps. But be that as it may, I won't reveal any secret. It wouldn't be safe. I will say, though, let those lots go and make your money secure." "Yes, if it is right that I should not." part of the settlers. It was impossible that any crops could be grown thus late in the season, even were it to rain at once. "Hatching up some scheme for plun-| dering these poor devils," Harry thought as he halted for mi moment in the open door to contemplate Scraggs. "He's got some deep laid plan at work, and whatever it is it'll bring a few thousands to his pocket at the expense of the settlers." "On leaving the hotel we passed through an avenue of palms."—Harper1! Weekly "I am very anxious to, get rid of the debt," John said, "and stop the interest.""So you are from the east, too," he said. "What state is your old home?" There was nothing before the Greens but a repetition of the experiences of the winter two years before. Their store of provisions saved from the crop of the preceding year was almost gone, and they had no money and no means of raising any. They had not even the privilege of borrowing from Seraggs this time, for they had nothing to mortgage him in return for his accommodation. Take the most cheerful view of the future that they could, and picture it in the brightest colors their' buoyant fanc.v oould pnri «•«D- malned a dark, somber, forbidding prospect, unrelieved by a single ray of light. A Limited "That's natural and right, too," said Harry, "and Scraggs ought to be wilh Dng to accept the money if he 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 people out here have such a man to deal with, and I sympathize with you." "Little Waldo Beaconhill was in a predicament today. A lady gave him 'Robinson Crusoe,' in words of one syllable, and he couldn't read it. Poorchildl He cried for twenty minutes." "Obio." The collapse had been sudden and unexpected, and hundreds of poor settlers who had invested their little all in the hope of making a raise awoke suddenly to the fact that they were ruined, and' that their hopes and their money had gone down together in the great wreck. Some who had a small amount of means left invested in the new town in the hope of retrieving what was lost in the old, but hundreds had nothing left to invest, and all they could do was to mourn the departed, and curse Scraggs. This latter pleasure, however, was' denied John Green. He could mourn the fall of Paradise Park, but he had no occasion t.-D curse Scrr.-js, for1 Scraggs had warne I him aaj had made every effort to yot '. m to k ive himself. John took his lor.s r: riously to heart, and many we re the wakeful nights it; caused him. The sura of lao-ay was; ■mall, but it was t-.U that t-iood between his family ord wcrrt it" lie should fail on his crop tue coming season, as there was a fair prospect of him doing since the ceasou had opened up exceedingly dry. 1 "Indeed! That is my home." John was about to offer some objection, but before he could say anything the door opened and seven or eight men came in, all anxious to make purchases of lots. Scraggs had talked them up earlier in the day, and they had been oat to see the additions, and now came back full of enthusiasm. "Greens, and from near Dayton," the young man mused. "That is rather queer, sure. But, pshaw! there are lots of Greens in the world, and there might be a dozen families of the name from near Dayton out here in Kansas." Then aloud he said: "I live in Dayton and know a great many people about there. I suppose you have relatives and friends in or near the town?" "Yes, we came from near Dayton." At that moment Scraggs looked up, and his eyes met those of Harry Pear- Bon. "Isn't It secure where it is?" John asked. "That's queer! Waldo can read." "Yes, but only in words of eight syllables."—New York Sua "You heard what I said, Mr. Green," Scraggs replied, "and ought to be able to draw your own conclusions. I say take your money out of the lots and make it safe. That's all I can say to you, and it's more than I have said or will say to anyone else. I have a reason for advising you to this step, and strange as it may seem, it is altogether for your interest that I do it." D "It's a little strange, indeed, Mr., Scraggs," John said with an incredulous shake of the head, "that you' should feel such an uncommon  in my welfare. I cannot understand why you should make so great an ex-j ception in my favor. Why am I alonei selected from all your customers to re-i ceive the benefit of your advice? Am I more to you than any of the hundreds! of others who have invested in these* town lots? I dont think so." "Beg pardon, Mr. Scraggs. I didn't mean to intrude, so it your meditations are sacred I'll withdraw." "It is an unpleasant tbingto be in the power of such men as Sqraggs," John replied, "and when I get clear of this affair I hope never to get into such a place again." "I'll tell you what I'll do," said Harry. "I'm quite well acquainted with Scraggs, and I may have some influence with him. I'll try to persuade him to accept your money. He can make an exception in your favor if he will." Another Slater. "What a lovely girl Maud isT "Yes. 1 have her picture constantly in my heart" "How so?" 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 had matgages on their homes and "Come in and sit down," Scraggs said in reply. "I was meditating, and seriously, too, but my thoughts were of yon, and I am glad you came." "Yes, the Greens and the Blatchfords live-" "Ha, you are a faithful agent, Scraggs. AlwayBgot my interests in mind, and forever studying out some plan for advancing them. What new scheme are you working up now?" "Oh, 1 got her negative the othei night."—New York Press. "Blatchfords?" the young man repeated. "Are you—is he—?" Then recollecting himself, he stopped. couldn't pay them because they were not due were investing in town lots, and ho • -Dcd that if everybody was investing lin 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 his wife and child outside the pales of want. Yes, he believed that he'd Invest, since he couldn't pay off the debt. He 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. " HAKBY PEAR SOX, BEWARE!" John regretted the loss of his money now as he had never regretted it before, and no opinion he could form of himself, however low and debasing, was spared him. With that money all safely at hand he and his family could pass unpinched through the coming winter, and have enough left to pay the debt of! the farm. But regretting did no good, and so Mary told her husband, though she was far from free of it herself. don't know that I move you and con trol your actions, and more it is hardlj likely that they will know it, since there is no one to tell them but you, and they'd never take your word for anything, not if you were to swear to it. So you see I have got the advantage of you, Scraggs, and if you want to do any warning just go ahead. But you are ma King a great russ about notning, anyhow. Wait until I make an attempt against the girl, won't you?" Not Neeeaamrjr. 'Louise glanced up into her companion's face, but he turned it away, and Younghusband—If 1 were yon, my dear, 1 wouldn't tell my friends 1 had trimmed that hat myself. Mrs. Younghusband—Why, love, would it be conceited? "I am not working up any scheme, Mr. Pearson." "I shall be ever so much obliged to you for your interest in the matter," said John, "and I hope you may succeed.""Yet you were thinking of me. How does that come?" "I was thinking of you in an entirely different connection." • Younghusband — No, Life. superfluous. — "You come down in a day or two, and in the meantime I'll talk to Scraggs." "What connection, then?" Exactly. So John went down with his mcney. Scraggs was in his office busy with a town plat and a couple of men who were selecting town lots for an investment. After awhile the sales were effected, and the men going out Scraggs turned his attention to Green. With a bland smile, and a warm handshake, he said: "Why, in connection "With those. Greens. It has come across my mind, that there is some deep purpose in your' action." ' The Greens were not the only family that were thus placed in a precarious position. Nearly all the settlers in that section were victims of the Paradise Park boom, and now found themselves stranded Very few of them had throe months' supply of provisions on hand, and none of them had money. The farms were all under mortgage to the eastern capitalists, so they could not borrow money, and it was useless to think of earning anything in that part of the country, for there was no employment to be had. "Oh, you won't do for a valet," said young Dolley to an applicant for the place. "Yon are as old as the hills." • "If you have no designs on the girl, Pearson," asked Scraggs, "will you please say what your purpose is?" "You are right, Green, you are not more to me than the others. But it ia, Mary, ever patient and long suffering, deplored the loso of the money equally as much cs John did, but made n \ intense of considering it a mere trifle. True wife that she waa, she was willing to bear her own t.xiJcrs alone, and besides shoulder a lcrge part of her husband's. She savr -nothing in the future' outlook to encourage her, yet for John's sake she ;:ffcctcd to see a great deal, and the more lie regretted, the raoro cheerful and hopeful she became, and the more lightly the treated their loss. "Well, sir," replied the man, "valleys are always as old as the hills."—San Francisco News Letter. "Ha, ha! Is it possible that Scraggs] has got his mind off financial matters; long enough to let a thought of some-i thing so foreign creep in? Come,, Scraggs, stick to the per cent, and the! commissions, and don't go to muddling* your brain about things that don't, concern you and that will never put aj dollar in your pocket. It ain't in your, line, Scraggs, and you'd better let it alone." "Why, what should it be, except to make all the money we can out of Green, just as we intend to make it out of every other settler." Mrs. Greene—Getthere would make yon a good husband He has none of the small vices. Too Buajr. "Well, my 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 shake hands with my friends. How is Mrs. Green and the family?" "Then how is it you do not findit nec■ ewsnry to deport yourself toward other settlers as you do toward the Greens? Why is-it you find it necessary to go there so often?" Scraggs, by the way, was atypical western real estate agent—in some particulars, at least. He was full of business, unsparing of his talk, bland, smiling and wildly enthusiastic. He was a hustler from the word go, and he never tired of talking up and showing up the advantages of his town. It came as natural to him 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 would-be investor could almost see the profits sticking out. He always made each customer feel that he was giving him a decided advantage Over all other customers by letting him him have lots that he had reserved for his 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. Edith Greene—He is too busy to pay any attention to small ones.—Lake Shore News. "I supposed this Was a free country, Scraggs, and thai a man did not have to In thiF state of affairs somebody called a meeting of the settlers at Markham's store, and when the day came around John Green went over to see what could be done. There were twenty-five or thirty other men there, all with sad, bronzed faces and quaking hearts. The men spoke together in low, earnest tones. There was none of the joking and laughing in which men thus assembled usually indulge. Not a smile disturbed the gloom that hung over the meeting. No hopeful light kindled in the eyes of the poor settlers. It was a solemn occasion and weighty matters occupied the thoughts of all that gatheringof stouthearted pioneers. Before them and their families they saw nothing but starvation, and it is not to be wondered that their cheeks were blanched and their eyes dull and heavy with anxiety and fear. " IT IS NO INTKCSION, BUT BATHES ▲ "Ordinarily, Pearson, I don't meddle much with things that don't directly1 concern me. 1 am counted heartlessand unfeeling1, and have been cursed) from Dan to Beersheha by everybody who has had any dealings with me, and( as a general thing people are not to, blame. They have had room for swearing, and not knowing that ther» was a monkey in the case are not to blame for swearing at the cat whose paw has been used to rake the chestnuts from the fire. But I suppose I ought not to; complain. I am paid for my work, and it is my duty to shoulder the blame that attaches to it and take the curscs it brings doVrn on my head. Anyhow, T am willing to go on with that; but I am not willing to be a party to a worse crime, and, by George, I won't be. I say, I won't be, and I mean it." "I am glad, Mary,". John remai-hed one day, "that yo'i take such a happy view of the situation. The loss of the oaoney, and the knowledge that it was my fault, is enough to make me dcsplso myself almost, ewu at best, and If you had blamed rue as I deserve to be blamed, I bclwro I d have gone mad." No More Credit. GOOD SERVICE." "Quite well, I thank you! You spoke of a boom. What do you refer to?" "Why, our boom here. Uadnt you heard of it?" explain to other people the reason Mrs. Spendall—You look worried. U it because you are so deeply in debt? when he looked around again all the surprise had died out of it and he was as calm as ever. why he chooses to go here or there. But since you force the question on mo I don't mind answering it. I go to John Green's occasionally because I like Louise. To be honest, frank and confidential with you, Saraggs, I'll go further and say I love her. I'm speaking the truth when I say that, so help me Mr. Spendall (gloomily)—No. It's because 1 can't get any deeper.—New York Weekly. "No, not a word." "Do you know the Blatchfords?" Louire asked. Contrcits. "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." "Weill welll that's queer. * Why, sir, our town is having a wonderful boom. Lots are going off like hot cakes, and almost every day we are laying oiit new additions. Within the last week we bare sold out three entire additions of forty acres each. Yes, sir, we have a great boom—the most wonderful thing on record —and it's a settled fact that within two years we will have here a city of twenty thousand population. I have invested every dollar I can get hold of, and wish I had a million 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." The most difficult ups and downs of this life are keeping expenses down and appearances up.—Atchison Globe. "John, there i-D uothiu.v for wl-ioh to blume you," M;;ry replied. "You lavested the money, as hundreds of others invested, and tried to act for the best. It was a mistake, and nothing more. Such a mistake as anyone might have made, and as almost every poor settler did make. There is no use to condemn yourself, or make yourself miserable with vain regrets. The money is gone —let it go. We can live over the loss, and in a short time won't feel it." God. I do love Louise Green with all my heart and soul, and nevec have and •never shall love anyone else. And now having gone this far, I'll go further. I love her, and I've sworn that she shall be mine. She loves that Paul Markham, but he shall never have her. I cannot win her love, but I can get her in my power, and force her to come to my arms and submit to my caresses, and by Heaven I will." "rOU ARE SLY, SCBAGG8." The book agent, like the sailor, finds that wind has a wonderful effect upon his canvas. — YAnkers Statesman. Plenty of Sale*. 'Yes. sir. At least he was. We have not heard much from him of late.1* "Indeed? He is a relative, too?" "He is my grandfather." "Ah!. Well, that is your home just be- not that which influences me. There is not a man among all my customers whom I would not advise as 1 do you, were he placed iii like circumstances. But- it is folly to talk and argue. Here is a customer for your lots. Take my advice and sell out." Scraggs had Tots of business, and customers were crowding on him anxious The young man. like the moaquito, to often mashed on a pretty facs.—Balti- Baltimore American Aft Mnnhed. ns, I presume; So I will ride on. Cjf»od day," and he lifted his hat, when . be had mounted to -his saddle, and cantered away. vvnen ne was gone ixDuise was sorry that she had not asked him more about to make investments, and there waa lota 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 "I hope so," replied John, "but It is hard,to raise expectations where there Is so little to base them on. There are poor prospects for crops this year, for it is already late in the season and thereis not moisture enough in the ground to sprout the seeds. If it does not rain soon we will raise nothing, and again we shall have to go through the experiences of a year ago. Sometimes I feel like turning loose and cursing this Godforsaken country from end to end. I wish we had never set foot on Kansas soil. There is nothing here for us but suffering, hardships and disappointments. From year to year we have got to contend against drought, hot winds, chinch bugs, grasshoppers,' greedy Shylocks and swindling schemes, and the settler has a poor showing among them." "Are you through with your sermon, Scraggs?" "Harry Pearson, beware! This is going too far, and they shall be warned." "No," said John, "I'll keep them. I know your object, Mr. Scraggs—I can see through it perfectly. Those lots are destined to sell for an enormous price, and you know it. You see a thousand dollars or so in them, and you want them. You are the man who proposes to buy them. You are sly, Scraggs, and you can hatch out some plausible schemes, but I understand your motive in this instance." The situation was discussed in all its phases, and innumerable plans of action were suggested. Some favored giving up the land and moving away, but a great many like Green were too poor to go, and knew of no place where they could better their condition, even if they were able to make the change. After a great many had given their opinions some one called on Green to speak. By Invitation. Mrs. Binks—Why didn't you come home to dinner? "For the present, yes." "Then may I ask what deepcrimo you refuse to be a Darty to?" "Yes, you may. It's the crime yon contemplate against those Greens; or rather against Green's girl." her grandfather, for in spite of the outCQme of the affair might possibly be "Go and warn them. They'll not believe a word you say. I'm not afraid of you, for you are powerless." heartless way in which he had treated her parents, she had a tender spot in her'heart for the old man. She would like to have known whether he was well and happy, at least, and that much the stranger might have told her. But it was too l*te now, and she went to his investors. Under such circum-1 stances the best of us are liable to forj get some things. But enough of that. I When John Qreen got his papers and had paid down his money, he left Mr. Small Son—I had my dinner, ma. I took dinner with Willie Minks. "How are you selling your lots?" "Alas! that is too true. I am the demon and you are the saint, and your lies will be taken as gospel truth, while the truths I speak will be believed by none. So much for being your tooL But, nevertheless, it is my duty to warn them against you, and I'll do it. I'll give them fair warning, and if they don't want to heed it they can only suffer the consequences. If you wanted to marry the girl now—" "Did Mrs. Minks invite you?" "Selling 'em 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 oh the market/ It is going so fast that we can hardly make out the papers fast enough to keep up with the sales. This addition ii close in, and is bound to become business property, every foot of it, and I, can sell you a lot there for ten dollars per foot—away below its worth." "Yes, ma. I smelled apple dumplings cooking, and I told her I liked apple dumplings awful." "Oh, you did?" Pearson's face flushed and a spark of anger lighted his eyes. For an instant he gazed steadily at Scraggs, then slowly let his glance fall to the floor. It was some time before he spoke, arid when he did he said: Scraggs' office and started down street. 1 He had not gone far, however, before, In turning a corner, he came face to face with Harry Pearson, who was hurrying along in the direction of Scraggs' Qffice. Harry was coming at such speed that he did not see Green until he j had nearly collided with him, and when j 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. Qreen," he exclaimed, "is it possible you are in town so early?" "Yes," said John, "I came down this "Men," Green.began as he arose, "we are placed in u position where it is hard to find any way out. We have nothing but our claims, and unfortunately they arc in the grasp of the money Shylocks ol the ea_Du i nu majority of us are little better than paupers. We have no money, we have ho provisions, and our land, the only possession we have, Is being devoured da3' by day by that gormand, high interest. The country in all this part of the state is in desolation, and there is nothing for us to do to earn bread for ourselves and families. Yet we must eat or die, and we cannot starve. We must find some way of earning a livelihood." on home and told her mother of her lit- Scraggs arose and walked the floor for a minute or two, then stopping in front of Green, said: "Yes'rn. Then she said maybe if I went home I'd find you had apple dumplings for dinner too." "Humph!" tle adventure and of the stranger. "Harry Pearson,** Mary mused. "No I do not know anything of him. In fact, I do not remember any Pearsons among my acquaintances at home." "Mr. Scraggs, are you aware what your words imply?" "John Green, I wouldn't pay you fifty per oent. on the investment you mado in fDinw» lots. 1 Hnn't vvnnt ♦'•"m wouldn't buy them at any price. But talk is useless, so I have no more to say —at least only this. In less than six months from to-day, you will recall what I have said, and you will say that for once Scraggs advised you aright. Good day." "Yes'm. But I told her yours was always so heavy pa wouldn't let me eat any, an then she invited me to sit down." —Good News. "1 am, most certainly," replied Scraggs, "and they imply nothing but the truth. I am not fool enough to think that your actions towards Green mean anything good. It would be hard enough to believe that if your conduct in his presence was the only thing to go by. It is not likely that you would interest yourself in anyone's be- "Bah! I don't want to marry her, and I don't propose to do anything of the sort. You know that that matter is settled for me. The folks at home have kindly selected a woman for me, and all I have to do is to go back and marry her, which I am going to do in a few weeks. I don't love her and never did, but she is rich, and money is what we are after." That was all Mary said, but the men- "You say it is close in?" "Yes, sir, right in town." "About how far is it from here?" tion of her father's name had set her to thinking, and all that evening she went about with a sad, distressed air, and. more than - once a long-drawn sigh escaped her, and often she 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- "Not a bit over a mile." "It is discouraging, John," said Mary, The Wrong Place. Bingo—How is the new servant girl getting on? "A mile?" John exclaimed. "Why, I'd call that tolerably far out for a town of sixty or seventy population." "but where can poor people do better? The east is overcrowded, and the poor ■ man cannot hope to get a home there. Mrs. Bingo—She's gone. Bingo—Gone. Why, what's the matter?"Far out?" Scraggs cried. "Why, great goshen, man. It's in. Why, there's; additions Laid off two mile; beypnd that.; These last words of Scraggs made a slight impression on John, and he left the office in a halting state of mind. Once or twice as he walked down the He cannot go into business for himself, morning." "That so? Well, you haven't seen Scraggs yet, at any rate?" half, unless you had a selfish motive be- and to work on a salary is uncertain. | Thousands do it, of course, and a small hind it. It is not in your nature. But ' what makes your purpose more ap-, Scraggs made no reply to this, and Pearson went on; "That's so," said some one, "but how Mrs. Bingo—My dresses didn't fit her. —Cloak Review.