CHAPTER XXI
IN WHICH THE SHEEP ARE SHEARED AND SKINNED AND THEIR HIDES TANNED
An engineer appeared upon the scene and ran a line straight down the center of Main Street, amid intense excitement on the part of the populace; then he trailed off into the country, and farmers driving into town reported seeing him at work all along the line. It was strange the amount of business that farmers found in town of late. Never before had so brisk a country trade been enjoyed at this season of the year, and the results were far-reaching. The Honorable G. W. Battles, on the occasion of one of Wallingford’s visits to the bank, invited him into the back room.
“Are you going to build that hotel, Colonel?” he asked as soon as they were seated.
“I scarcely think so,” replied Wallingford with apparent rel
