The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 84: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

84 THE BUNKEL MYSTERY. planned; Mr. Singerlay fought to have it run as far as possible from the rival mill, and Mr. Barkpool to get it as near as possible. Each defeated the other, aud no road was built. Mr. Singerlay was president of the Montoban Bank, and, as Mr. Barkpool thought he was not fairly treated in the matter of the discounts, the Onongo Bank was started. The Onongo Hotel was built by the up-river magnate, and the patronage of the Montoban Hotel was reduced for a time. ‘The names of the two mills were applied to halls, saloons, stores, omnibuses, boats and engines, The town was divided into two sy eiene: and there was constant war between them. Society was divided between the two mills, and even the churches shared in the rivalry. But again Montoban doubled, tripled, and quadrupled its population, for competition is the life of trade. . The business done by the mills had been more than doubled, and new enterprises were still the order of the day. Di Singerlay, as has been said, landed in front of her father’s house. Andy Lamb put the Diana in good condition, and after the fair skipper had thanked him again, with a blushing face, for the service he had rendered her, he started for his home, which was in the Onongo domain. He had to go through the grounds of the Montoban magnate, where he had never been before, and he did not know the way out. ‘The estate was very extensive, and he followed a road after he had parted with the daughter of the house, which he thought would lead him to the street in front of the mansion. He had gone far enough to see the dome on the town hall, when he heard footsteps, attended with angry talk. The speakers were directly ahead of him, and he recognized their voices, which were those of Mr. Singerlay and his son Dolph, as he was called, though his name in full was Adolphus—too long for common use. Andy Lamb did not care to meet the father of the fair skipper before she had told him her story ; and especially not when he was in an angry mood, as at the present time, for he had the reputation of being a very violent and unreasonable man when he was excited. After looking about him for the best means to effect his retreat, he discovered near him a Norway pine, with branches reaching down to the green sod. Behind it, and close to the driveway, was a rustic seat. Andy had no time to spare, for the voices were very near, and he dodged behind the pine. The magnate and his son appeared to be having a very rough time of it, and the sixteen year old boy was not particularly respectful to his sire. ‘“Your boat is good enough, and you don’t need another,’’ said Mr. Singerlay. ‘‘ Don’t say another word about it. I won’t give you the money ; and that is the end of it.’’ ‘The Dragon is good enough for a sailboat, but I want a steamer,’’ re+ plied Dolph, in a dogged tone. Andy thought she was good enough, for she was equal to anything on the Hudson, where he had learned the art of the boatman; and he decided that Dolph was a very unreasonable fellow. | CoOMmmMicloooks