"
Again he smote the table. "We'll sew 'em up tighter than a new
buttonhole."
"Do tell me how," she pleaded eagerly.
"I'll block them on their franchise to run over the city streets of
Sequoia."
"How?"
"By making the mayor and the city council see things my way," he
answered dryly. "Furthermore, in order to enter Sequoia, the N. C. O.
will have to cross the tracks of the Laguna Grande Lumber Company's
line on Water Street--make a jump-crossing--and I'll enjoin them and
hold them up in the courts till the cows come home."
"Uncle Seth, you're a wizard."
"Well, at least I'm no slouch at looking after my own interests--and
yours, Shirley. In the midst of peace we should be prepared for war.
You've met Mayor Poundstone and his lady, haven't you?"
"I had tea at her house last week."
"Good news. Suppose you invite her and Poundstone here for dinner
some night this week. Just a quiet little family dinner, Shirley, and
after dinner you can take Mrs. Poundstone upstairs, on some pretext
or other, while I sound Poundstone out on his attitude toward the N.
C. O. They haven't asked for a franchise yet; at least, the Sentinel
hasn't printed a word about it;--but when they do, of course the
franchise will be advertised for sale to the highest bidder.
Naturally, I don't want to bid against them; they might run the price
up on me and leave me with a franchise on my hands--something I do
not want, because I have no use for the blamed thing myself.
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