By Neil Primus
IN THE rapidly developing town of Blackstone things were getting better and better. This was a mining town and business people depended on this industry. Three good friends invested in the gold business. They each became rich due to this. Alvin bought a dredge and headed into the Gold Bush. After two years of hard work he was able to buy a second dredge and employ a General Manager.

Sudesh opened a grocery store. He supplied the miners and dredge owners with all the necessary stocks. This proved to be a stroke of genius.
Harold went into mining supplies. He imported and sold all the equipment and spare parts used in the mining industry. His business was extremely successful.
The three bought large mansions, cars and other expensive items. They lived the lives of the rich. Then a very beautiful woman named Lavern came to live in the village. Immediately, all three of these young bachelors made their move. It was challenge after challenge. They wined and dined her trying to win her affection.

The beautiful lady could not make up her mind which of them to choose. She decided to seek advice from a spiritual elder. The old woman was gnarled, ugly and blind. Lavern got a simple piece of advice. “Choose the kindest one of the lot.”
But how?
The old spiritualist made a deal with her. She changed Lavern into an old woman and it was in this new form that she went to see each of her suitors.

Alvin told her he was busy and had no time. He chased her out of his yard. Sudesh told her bluntly that he never gives money to people much less smelly old ladies. Harold sent his staff to put the old lady out of his place of business. She could hear him shout angrily at her.
“Let dat old crass get de hell out of here! Don’t ever entertain her here again!”
She returned to Alvin to see if he was less busy. She got the same treatment: “Out!”
When she was returning home she met a young man along the road. He was handsome and a gentleman. He shared his food with her and gave her some money. It was all the money he had. She immediately fell in love with him.

As part of the deal with the spiritualist she changed back to her original form when she fell in love. The two got married immediately.
When the three rich men heard about the marriage they flew into rage. The three plotted in order to get rid of their rival and get the beautiful prize. Then it dawned on them that she would never love them so they decided to get rid of her too.
The three made their way towards the home of the happy couple. That night they would get sweet revenge. The road leading to the house was dark and lonely. Suddenly an old woman appeared directly in their path. She was the same woman who had visited each of them.

“Wait! Is you again!”
“This X@&* Old Crass!”
“Look, lea we get rid of she too.”
BIG MISTAKE
The air exploded in sounds of pain and howls, as blows rained down on the trio.
SMASH!
BASH!
BRAM!
CRACK!
The three died in a vicious hail of blows.
They were found on the road with body parts missing.
The happy couple: Well you know…..
(Lived happily ever after. Etc. etc. etc.)