We have enough
on hand to meet any obligations."
"What about Archie Swindon?" asked a brother.
"He has sold out and left the district. The old devil left a
note for us to say that he had rather be a free crossing sweeper
in New York than a large mine owner under the power of a ring of
blackmailers. By Gar! it was as well that he made a break for it
before the note reached us! I guess he won't show his face in
this valley again."
An elderly, clean-shaved man with a kindly face and a good brow
rose from the end of the table which faced the chairman. "Mr.
Treasurer," he asked, "may I ask who has bought the property of
this man that we have driven out of the district?"
"Yes, Brother Morris. It has been bought by the State & Merton
County Railroad Company."
"And who bought the mines of Todman and of Lee that came into the
market in the same way last year?"
"The same company, Brother Morris."
"And who bought the ironworks of Manson and of Shuman and of Van
Deher and of Atwood, which have all been given up of late?"
"They were all bought by the West Gilmerton General Mining
Company."
"I don't see, Brother Morris," said the chairman, "that it
matters to us who buys them, since they can't carry them out of
the district.
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