Down the Slope

by James Otis

  CHAPTER XXX

  A SUIT AT LAW

  "Don't give in an inch," Bill said, in conclusion to his remarksconcerning the validity of the title. "Get over there as quick as youcan, and don't let the lawyer weaken."

  "It'll take big money to carry on a fight in law."

  "We'll try to raise it somehow."

  After promising to send him word as to the progress of affairs beforenight, in case they were detained more than one day, Joe and Fred wentdown stairs, and at that moment Mrs. Byram opened the door to admit Mr.Wright.

  He was particularly pleasant in his greetings, and asked, as he observedthat they were on the point of going out:

  "Did you finally conclude to come to the office?"

  "We were on our way to Blacktown," Joe replied gruffly.

  "But we have plenty of time for a chat, since the train does not leavefor two hours of more."

  "We are going to walk," Fred explained.

  "Then you can surely spare me half an hour."

  "What for?" Joe asked sharply.

  "I wish to see if we can't arrive at some amicable settlement of thesuit which I have been forced to bring."

  "Wouldn't it been better to have talked first, an' then begun the lawbusiness?"

  "In regard to that I had no alternative. The company ordered me toproceed exactly as I did."

  "I'd like to hear what's goin' on down there," Bill shouted from above,and Fred said:

  "It's no more than fair that we should go upstairs. He's got the rightto know what Mr. Wright proposes."

  "Yes, I prefer to speak with all the partners, though perhaps there isno necessity of sending for Thorpe."

  "We haven't got the time to do that," Joe replied. "Come on, an' let'sget through with the business as soon as we can, for we're due inBlacktown mighty soon."

  The miner led the way to the invalid's chamber, and Bill greeted hisformer superintendent with the curtest of nods.

  "I have come in the hope that we can arrange matters without havingrecourse to the law," Mr. Wright began. "If, immediately afterdiscovering the vein, you had advised me, I could have told you that ourcompany owns the entire mountain, by purchase from the heirs of theoriginal owner."

  "But Mr. Hunter told us the title was perfect," Fred interrupted.

  "Lawyers cannot always be depended upon. There is no question as to thetruth of what I say, and here is a true copy of our deed."

  He handed Bill a legal looking document; but the miner motioned it away.

  "I don't want to see it," he said. "Neither of us could understand it ina week's study. The only thing for us to do is listen to what youpropose."

  "In view of the services you all have rendered in the past, I should besorry to see you lose the money already paid on this property, and moreso to have you involved in an expensive lawsuit. Now I am empowered tomake this offer: The company will return the money paid, settle withyour attorney, and allow you a reasonable compensation for the labourperformed. In addition, it may be that we can give you a few shares incase it is decided to open new works."

  As Mr. Wright paused Bill raised his head, and looking fixedly at thevisitor, asked:

  "If the property is yours beyond a question, what makes you offer togive us anything?"

  "Because you have acted in such a friendly manner toward us. I am notone who forgets a friend."

  "You came mighty near doin' so when Sam was arrested, an' warrants swornout for Fred an' me."

  "That was a matter in which it was to your interest that the law shouldtake its course. A large majority of the people believed you knewsomething about the robbery, and the only way to settle it absolutelywas to have the case decided in court."

  "Then we ought to thank you, I s'pose," and Bill leaned forward, despitethe pain caused by the movement. "If we conclude to take the offer we'lllet you know to-morrow."

  "I am sorry to say that we can agree to no delay. If the terms areaccepted at once, well and good; but they will not be held open for alawyer to interfere."

  "Then I'll speak for myself, an' say no," Bill cried, angrily. "Theothers can act as they please; but if all this is to be done jest onaccount of your friendship, then where's the harm of waitin' till nextweek, if we want to?"

  "I have only repeated the stipulations made by the company."

  "Well, we don't want anything to do with 'em," Joe added. "What Billsays goes with me, an' I reckon Fred'll stick by us."

  "I believe as they do, Mr. Wright."

  "Then you refuse the generous proposition?"

  "We do, but have our own idea as to how generous it is," Bill replied,grimly.

  "Do you think it will be possible to fight successfully a company asrich as ours?"

  "We'll try it for a while, anyhow, an' won't give in till we'rewhipped."

  "I don't like to make any threats; but feel it my duty to warn you ofthe consequences, if we press the charge of theft. The evidence isstrongly against you, and more particularly so since you returned themoney."

  "I reckon that about winds up this 'ere interview," and Joe arose to hisfeet with a menacing air. "Go ahead with the suit; but there's such athing as collectin' damages, an', rich as your company is, I don'tbelieve they can get out of payin' 'em."

  "That is child's talk. If you refuse what is little less than a present,I will go."

  "An' it's pretty nigh time." Joe added, as he opened the door. "Don'ttry to make us any more such presents, or we may not keep our temper."

  It could be plainly told that the superintendent had already lost histemper, for he went down stairs rapidly, slamming the street door behindhim with a force which literally caused the cottage to tremble.

  "He ain't so sure of his case, as he would have us believe," Bill said,when they were alone. "It's jest possible he may try to make thingshotter for us by servin' the warrant on Fred, so you'd better not comeback from Blacktown, till the widder sends word. Get over as quick asyou can, an' don't forget to tell the lawyer about the generousproposition."

  The two started without further delay, and the reception met with bythose whom they passed on the street told how rapidly the bad news hadtravelled.

  On the day previous every person was very cordial, as if trying toestablish his or her position as friend; but now they were greeted evenless pleasantly than before the riot, and Joe said, savagely:

  "They're a set of curs. I did believe some of the things we heardyesterday; but now soft words won't go down with me, no matter how theproperty turns out."

  "It can't make any difference what is done or said, all I ask is that weget Sam out of his troubles."

  "You an' me are about as deep in the mire as he is if the case goes aginus. We'll try not to borrer trouble till there's better reason. Where doyou s'pose Skip is keepin' himself all this time?"

  "I wish I knew. Nobody can make me believe he went off with Gus."

  "He's got a different game than that, an' I'm thinkin' we'll hear fromhim mighty soon."

  "Why?"

  "No partic'lar reason, I only jest think so."

  Having changed the topic of conversation, which was the sole cause ofhis mentioning Skip's name, Joe relapsed into a silence which was notbroken until the two arrived at the newly-discovered vein.

  Here a party of surveyors were running imaginary lines and measuringdistances, as they referred from time to time to several formidablelooking documents, and Joe said, bitterly:

  "Wright is gettin' ready for the fight. If we had plenty of money Iwouldn't feel so bad; but unless the lawyer can borrow some for us,we're likely to come out the little end of the horn."

  "We shall soon know all about it," and Fred continued the journey at aswift pace.

  Mr. Hunter was in his office when the partners arrived, and theexpression on his face was not such as to inspire courage.

  "I didn't expected you so soon," he said, motioning them to be seated.

  "We walked over rather than wait for the cars," Fred replied.

  "I was sorry
to summon you on such sorry business but SuperintendentWright has begun a fight for the possession of the land, and some of ourprospective stockholders are alarmed by the attack."

  "Has he really got any hold on the property?"

  "He claims that the company's deeds give them title to the entiremountain."

  "Then how did it happen that the farmer could sell?"

  "It all hinges upon the question of survey. If the lines run twentyyears ago are incorrect, as he claims, then the land you bought islocated in the valley, and in that event not worth half you paid forit."

  "What does the farmer say?" Joe asked.

  "I fancy Mr. Wright has bribed him to forget where his property was. Twodays ago he had a very clear idea of the location, but this morning hethinks Mr. Wright is correct. In fact, he is almost ready to swear heowned land only in the valley."

  "He told me exactly where it was situated, an' we bought with thepositive understandin' that he was sellin' a tract on the mountain," Joesaid.

  "That is one of the questions I wanted to decide. If he made thoserepresentations, we may force him to tell the truth rather than stand asuit for obtaining money under false representations."

  Fred thought it was time to tell of Mr. Wright's proposition, and whenhe had finished the story the lawyer said with a look of positiverelief:

  "I'm glad to hear that. We will force them to show their hands by askingan immediate trial for Thorpe."

  "But suppose he should be convicted?" Fred cried. "Skip is not at home,and we need his evidence."

  "We must take that risk, rather than allow them time to work up a worseplot."