FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129  
130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154   >>   >|  
dly. "Yes," replied the clerk. "I have some descriptions I wish to buy in." "Very well," replied the clerk, "what township?" Thorpe detailed the figures, which he knew by heart, the clerk took from a cabinet the three books containing them, and spread them out on the counter. At this moment the bland voice of Mr. Morrison made itself heard at Thorpe's elbow. "Good morning, Mr. Smithers," it said with the deliberation of the consciously great man. "I have a few descriptions I would like to buy in the northern peninsula." "Good morning, Mr. Morrison. Archie there will attend to you. Archie, see what Mr. Morrison wishes." The lumberman and the other clerk consulted in a low voice, after which the official turned to fumble among the records. Not finding what he wanted, he approached Smithers. A whispered consultation ensued between these two. Then Smithers called: "Take a seat, Mr. Morrison. This gentleman is looking over these townships, and will have finished in a few minutes." Morrison's eye suddenly became uneasy. "I am somewhat busy this morning," he objected with a shade of command in his voice. "If this gentleman--?" suggested the clerk delicately. "I am sorry," put in Thorpe with brevity, "my time, too, is valuable." Morrison looked at him sharply. "My deal is a big one," he snapped. "I can probably arrange with this gentleman to let him have his farm." "I claim precedence," replied Thorpe calmly. "Well," said Morrison swift as light, "I'll tell you, Smithers. I'll leave my list of descriptions and a check with you. Give me a receipt, and mark my lands off after you've finished with this gentleman." Now Government and State lands are the property of the man who pays for them. Although the clerk's receipt might not give Morrison a valid claim; nevertheless it would afford basis for a lawsuit. Thorpe saw the trap, and interposed. "Hold on," he interrupted, "I claim precedence. You can give no receipt for any land in these townships until after my business is transacted. I have reason to believe that this gentleman and myself are both after the same descriptions." "What!" shouted Morrison, assuming surprise. "You will have to await your turn, Mr. Morrison," said the clerk, virtuous before so many witnesses. The business man was in a white rage of excitement. "I insist on my application being filed at once!" he cried waving his check. "I have the money right here to pay
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129  
130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

Morrison

 

gentleman

 

Thorpe

 

descriptions

 

Smithers

 

morning

 

receipt

 

replied

 
finished
 

precedence


Archie

 

business

 
townships
 
property
 

Although

 

Government

 

calmly

 

snapped

 

arrange

 

reason


witnesses
 

virtuous

 

excitement

 
insist
 

waving

 

application

 

surprise

 

interrupted

 

interposed

 

afford


lawsuit

 

shouted

 

assuming

 
transacted
 

deliberation

 
consciously
 

moment

 
northern
 
peninsula
 

consulted


official
 

lumberman

 
wishes
 

attend

 

counter

 

township

 

detailed

 

figures

 
spread
 

cabinet