The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 122: what you’re looking at

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

506 THE BUNKEL MYSTERY. ‘‘And what was your request ?’’ asked the head of the other house, open- ing his eyes very wide. Let me explain what led me to make it. It costs a great deal of money to bring coal here for the use of the mills in the dry time.’’ ‘“That is as true as preaching ; and it costs just as much to bring in our material, and carry out our goods. We should have had a railroad before this time if your father had been fair and reasonable,’’ replied Mr. Barkpool, with a frown. ‘‘My father says the same thing in regard to you. But I don’t want to talk about that matter,’’ replied Dolph, pleased to find that the rival had listened to him so far. ‘‘ I want to show you how you can bring in coal and stock, and send out goods, as well as transport passengers both ways, at less cost than by rail.’’ ‘You want to show me !’’ exclaimed the magnate, laughing heartily at the assumption of the boy in proposing to show him anything. ‘‘ But go on; I am willing to be shown.”’ ‘‘T knew you would be; and of course my father would kill me if he knew that I was giving you these points.’’ ‘‘ Well, Mr. Singerlay, I am willing to believe that you are a bigger man than your father; but if you are in danger, I don’t ask you to sacrifice your valuable life for me,’’ chuckled the magnate. : ‘“ My father refused to hear me, and refused to grant my request ; and now that I give you the points, it is on account of his folly, his blunder, his weakness,’’ continued Dolph, not a little inflated by the consciousness of his own importance. ‘“‘That’s quite true; your father will be the victim of his own weakness, as he has been many times before,’’ replied the mill owner, greatly amused at the manner in which the young man rode his high horse. ‘‘ But let me have the points you are talking about, if you please, for my supper must be about ready.’’ ‘‘ All your coal and stock has to be carted five miles from the railroad ; and father says it costs about as much to cart it as to convey it from the mines to the station,’’ continued Dolph, very earnestly. ‘* Your father is about right for once.’’ ‘“‘ There is another railroad at the north end of the lake, which is not used at all by the people of Montoban. I propose to buy a steamer- and several barges or canal boats,’’ Dolph proceeded. ‘Then you are after a steamer; and so is Phineas,’’ interposed the mag- nate impatiently. ‘‘I refused to buy one fog him, and I don’t think I shall buy one for you.’’ ‘* But this is business and net play.’’ “Well, now, I will think of it, and let you know what I decide,’’ replied Mr. Barkpool. ‘“Let me give you the details of the plan I have in mind,’’ suggested Dolph insinuatingly. ‘*T don’t want to hear any more about it. I should have to load the coal from the boat, and cart it up here ; and I might as well haul it from the sta- Eomichbooks |