Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-12-05
CHAPTER XII.
sPRINGING THE TRAp.

CHAPTER XII.
SPRINGING THE TRAP.
Walter B. Hestor explained the de-
tails of the proposed newspaper
trust to Mr.. Palmer j. Morton on
Monday, April "a, as has been mar
rated. He awaited word from the
great financier with some impatience,
and was delighted, the following Fri
day, to receive note from Mr.. Nor
ton, stating that he would be glad
to see him at four o'clock that after
noon. Hestor was there punctually.
II have briefly explained your
project to Andrus Carmody, John M.
Rockwell, Simon Pence and II. j.
Kent" said Mr.. Morton, without
any preliminary conversation. "Mr.
Kent has agreed to breach the sub.
ject to Mr.. Haven. I find that none
of us have pressing engagements for
next Monday afternoon after bank
ing hours. They expressed willing
ness to listen to your plans at that
time, if such will suit your conven.
ience."
N~NSSOA
"a moment, calmly consulted memo
randum book, and stated that he had
only an unimportant engagement
which readily could be postponed.
We will meet at this office, then"
said Mr.. Morton as he rose to signify
that the interview was at an end
II have a suggestion to make"
cold
on board my new yacht. All last
season she was in commission in In
dian and Asiatic waters. The
Shark returned to the United States
about month ago and has been
thoroughly overhauled and is in fine
condition. You and the gentlemen
you have named-with the possible
exception of Mr.. Penee-are famous
water dogs. | should be glad to
welcome you on the Shark and
promise you good dinner, after
which we can discuss matters at
leisure. 1 will dock her at the Bat
terry, and it is but few steps from
here to the pier
Rather too early in the season
for yachting, is it not?"s said Mr..
M rton, but his face lit up at the
t. pught. He was famous yachts
man. ut is fine and warm to-day,
but it may be disagreeable Monday"
"If it is bad weather we can meet
at your Office, If it is fine we will
go on the yacht" suggested Hestor.
If the weather is favorable 1 see
no reason why we should not accept
your invitation" said Mr., Morton.
I'VE will wait and see. will let
you know by two o'clock Monday
afternoon If we decide to go on your
yacht. Good day"
On Friday Hestor received tele-
phone message from Sidney Ham,
mond announcing his return from
Chicago. HestoT at once addressed
him the following letter:
My Dear Sidney:
have accomplished great things since
you have been away. should like to see
you and talk them over with you at once
but have matters of much Importance on
hand which will take up every minute
Of ,ny ting Vnt,I Monda y evening.
presume that you will find plenty of work
awaiting your return. have arranged
to give a dinner to several gentlemen on
board the Shark on Monday evening.
Among them will be Mr.. Palmer ]. Nor
ton, Mr.. Carmody. Mr. Rockwell and
others. You must be one of the party.
l am going to surprise YOU
The SHARK" will be locked near the
Battery at four o'clock. Join the party
at the boat. Do not fail to accept this
invitation, as we shall discuss matters
which will require your advice. Notify
me by message at once of your accept
ance of this invitation. Will zee you
| in the meanwhile IL can spare the time.
| For reasons sufficiently obvious. you will
kindly light cigar with this note and
maintain your labitual secrecy as q
| friend and a lawyer.
remain, dear Sidney,
Sincerely yours,
WALTER b. HESTOR.
To this letter Hestor received q
reply accepting the irritation and
congratulating him on the evident
prospects Of the .strust," and ex-
pressing lively. curiosity as to its
subject and object.
The Monday selected by Mr.. Palmer
J. Morton for conference between
i his business associates and the repre-
sentative of the New York RECORD
was a perfect day, as has been statet
in this history. Mr.. Hestor was no
surprised when the financier callet
him on the telephone and informed
him that the invitation for trip ant
q dinner on the "shark" was nc
cepted. Mr.. Morton said that h
| had notified Messrs. Kent, Ponce an'
Haven to meet at his office ut abou
| four o'clock, and that he would es
eort them through Battery park t
the pier, the location Of which wa
perfectly familiar to Mr.. Morton.
( MI Hester replied that hy wyul