Part 25 (1/2)

And he threw down on the desk a folded doc.u.ment in a legal wrapper.

”The family,” said Jim gravely, ”must be told of the condition of things. It is a hard thing to do, but it must be done. Then conveyances must be obtained of all the property, subject to debts; and we must take the property and pay the debts. That also will be a hard thing to do--in several ways; but it must be done. It must be done--do you all agree?”

”Let me first ask,” said Mr. Cornish, turning to Mr. Hinckley, ”how long would it be before there would have to be trouble on this paper?”

”It couldn't possibly be postponed more than sixty days,” was the answer.

”Is there any prospect,” Cornish went on, addressing Mr. Elkins, ”of closing out the railway properties within sixty days?”

”A prospect, yes,” said Jim.

”Anything like a certainty?”

”No, not in sixty days.”

”Then,” said Cornish reluctantly, ”there seems to be no way out of it, and I agree. But I feel as if I were being held up, and I a.s.sent on this ground only: that Halliday and Pendleton will never deal on equal terms with a set of financial cripples, and that any trouble here will seal the fate of the railway transaction. But, lest this be taken as a precedent, I wish it to be understood that I'm not jeopardizing my fortune, or any part of it, out of any sentimental consideration for these supposed claims of any one who holds Lattimore paper, in the East or elsewhere!”

Jim sat drumming on the desk.

”As we are all agreed on what to do,” said he drawlingly, ”we can skip the question why we do it. Prepare the necessary papers, Mr. Lattimore.

And perhaps you are the proper person to apprise the family as to the true condition of things. We'll have to get together to-morrow and begin to dig for the funds. I think we can do no more to-night.”

We walked down the street and dropped into the opera house in time to hear the grand finale of the last piece by the band. As the great outburst of music died away, Captain Tolliver radiantly stepped to the footlights, dividing the applause with the musicians.

”Ladies and gentlemen,” said he, ”puhmit me to say, in bidding you-all good-night, that I congratulate the republic on the possession of a citizens.h.i.+p so awake to theiah true interests as you have shown you'selves to-day! I congratulate the puhchasers of propahty in the _Herald_ Addition upon the bahgains they have secuahed. Only five minutes' walk from the cyahs, and well within the three-mile limit, the time must soon come when these lots will be covahed with the mansions of ouah richah citizens. Even since the sales of this afternoon, I am infawmed that many of the pieces have been resold at an advance, netting the puhchasers a nice profit without putting up a cent. Upon all this I congratulate you. Lattimore, ladies and gentlemen, has nevah been cuhsed by a boom, and I pray G.o.d she nevah may! This rathah brisk growth of ouahs, based as it is on crying needs of ouah trade territory, is really unaccountably slow, all things considered. But I may say right hyah that things ah known to be in sto' foh us which will soon give ouah city an impetus which will cyahy us fo'ward by leaps and bounds--by leaps and bounds, ladies and gentlemen--to that highah and still mo' commandin'

place in the galaxy of American cities which is ouahs by right! And now as you-all take youah leave, I propose that we rise and give three cheers fo' Lattimore and prosperity.”

The cheers were given thunderously, and the crowd bustled out, filling the street.

”Well, wouldn't that jar you!” said Jim. ”This is a case of 'Gaze first upon this picture, then on that' sure enough, isn't it, Al?”

Captain Tolliver joined us, so full of excitement of the evening that he forgot to give Mr. Elkins the greeting his return otherwise would have evoked.

”Gentlemen,” said he, ”it was glorious! Nevah until this moment have I felt true fawgiveness in my breast faw the crime of Appomattox! But to-night we ah truly a reunited people!”

”Glad to know it,” said Jim, ”mighty glad, Captain. The news'll send stocks up a-whooping, if it gets to New York!”

CHAPTER XX.

I Twice Explain the Condition of the Trescott Estate.

Nothing had remained unchanged in Lattimore, and our old offices in the First National Bank edifice had long since been vacated by us. The very building had been demolished, and another and many-storied structure stood in its place. Now we were in the big Grain Belt Trust Company's building, the ground-floor of which was shared between the Trust Company and the general offices of the Lattimore and Great Western. In one corner, and next to the private room of President Elkins, was the office of Barslow & Elkins, where I commanded. Into which entered Mrs. Trescott and her daughter one day, soon after Mr. Lattimore had been given his instructions concerning the offer of our syndicate to pay the debts of their estate and take over its properties.

”Josie and I have called,” said the widow, ”to talk with you about the estate matters. Mr. Lattimore came to see us last night and--told us.”

She seemed a little agitated, but in nowise so much cast down as might be expected of one who, considering herself rich, learns that she is poor. She had in her manner that mixture of dignity and constraint which marks the bearing of people whose relations with their friends have been affected by some great grief. A calamity not only changes our own feelings, but it makes us uncertain as to what our friends expect of us.

”What we wish explained,” said Josie, ”is just how it comes that our property must be deeded away.”