CHAPTER XV. 

 CLEARING SKIES. 



Early in the year 1896 it became apparent that 

 values were rapidly recovering from the low levels 

 established after the financial panic of 1893. Mr. 

 C. S. Cross of Sunny Slope Farm, Emporia, Kans., 

 sensing the advent of better days in the cattle trade, 

 had sent John Steward to England in the autumn of 

 1897 to select a high-class lot of cattle for importa- 

 tion and sale. Needless to add, the purchases were 

 made with strict regard for quality; Steward was 

 commonly recognized as one of the best judges of 

 Herefords of that period. Not only that, but he had 

 a reputation for integrity that insured a faithful 

 execution of his trust. Moreover, Harry Yeld, who 

 had in the meantime gone back to his native land 

 and who was in close touch with the best breeding 

 establishments in Herefordshire, had been advised 

 in advance of Steward's mission and requested to 

 co-operate in ' locating and securing options upon 

 some of the best young cattle on the market at that 

 time. 



The Cross Importation. The importation, con- 

 sisting of 26 bulls and 15 heifers, was brought out in 

 Mr. Yeld's charge and passing through quarantine 

 at Garfield, N. J., arrived in time to be put on the 



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