Part 3 (1/2)
”I see no mistake about that,” and Horace Kelsey smiled quietly.
”You don't mean to say you meant to give me twenty dollars?”
”I did. It is little enough for such a service.”
”It's too much. I thought it was a one-dollar bill, sir.”
”I would not be mean enough to offer you only a dollar, Ralph. A man isn't pulled from a watery grave, as the poets call it, every day.”
”I don't think I ought to take all this money,” returned the young bridge tender slowly.
”I do, so put it into your pocket and say no more about it.”
Ralph continued to argue the point, but was finally persuaded to place the bill in his private purse.
”Your mother has been telling me a little about your family affairs,” went on Horace Kelsey. ”It's a pity you haven't a clear t.i.tle to this land about here.”
”We have a clear enough t.i.tle if only we can find the papers in this case,”
returned Ralph, promptly.
”I understand a syndicate from Chambersburgh are thinking of locating a big shoe factory here. If they do that, Westville will have a boom.”
”It would have boomed long ago if it hadn't been for Squire Paget and some others. They hold their land so high and keep the taxes on the hat factory up so, the manufacturers are scared away.”
”That is true, especially when other places donate them land free and exempt them from all taxation for from five to ten years.”
”Do they do that?”
”Certainly, and in many cases it pays very well, for the factories employ hundreds of hands, who receive fair wages, and that is spent in the place where it is earned.”
”It's a wonder that shoe factory would come here, if such inducements are offered elsewhere,” said Ralph, thoughtfully.
”I understand several men, including Squire Paget and the postmaster of this place, have received stock in the concern. I do not know much about the deal. I only heard it talked over at the hotel.”
”Where are they going to locate the factory?”
”Somewhere along the water front, I believe.”
”Then it will be around here!” cried Ralph. ”That is our land over there,”
he pointed with his hand. ”I wish we could prove our t.i.tle to it.”
”So do I, Ralph, and I wish I could help you. You haven't any idea who had the papers last?”
”No, sir.”
”Too bad. I would advertise for them, and even offer a reward for them.”