The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-11-08
Impressed p repeated Morgan.
"By the factory-and the girls
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N~~y Ah0 oaAS StAAo'
Morgan echoed her merry laugh.
II fancy the first will keep me too busy
to think of the second
And how long do you propose to stay
in Monticello p
She put out her slim hand as Morgan
arose, and he murmured something about
the pleasure of meeting her, and did it
with a clumsiness that must have amused
her, and moment later stood on the plat
form watching the receding train.
She was charming girl, there was no
doubt of that. He was almost sorry he
had met her. 1t would distract his min d
from his business Aud how she had
drawn him out. Why he had talked of
nothing but himself. He must forget her.
James Morgan. settled down to his task
with his usual zeal and industry He Wis
tied the factory daily and informed him
self concerning every detail. He found
things as he expected. Bad management
was show at every turn. It was extrava-
giant management, too, and there was con
slant friction between the local officers and
the headquarters in the distant city. Here
was fine plant rusting out, and rapidly
losing its great earning power, and all be-
cause of the lack of a progressive head.
James Morgan ground his teeth over the
abuse of a splendid opportunity and went
on preparing his report.
He had been in Monticello little over
a week and was just leaving the factory
one afternoon when carriage approached.
There were two ladies in it and one of them
was bowling. 1t was Miss Ellington. He
returned the salute, and the driver, at a
word from the elder lady, drew up to the
curb.
''Glad to see you Mr. Morgan said
the girl as she put out her hand. "Aun-
tie, Mr.. Morgan. My Aunt, Mrs. May
nard Auntie has an invitation for you,
Mr.. Morgan
II want to take you home with us and
have you stop to dinner said the elder
lady. "We have been waiting for a fine
day so that you could enjoy the drive.
And we Il promise to send you back safely
on the last trolley car.
She was charming lady with such
winning air that quite before he realized
what he was doing Morgan had accepted
the invitation He murmered something
about the state of his toilet and the neces-
sity of going to the hotel, but the old lady
pronounced him quite au fait, adding that
he need not worry, he was to be the only
guest.
And so James Morgan took the seat
facing the ladies and began What proved
to be most delightful drive.
'sAnd how fares the investigation p
inquired the girl.
'sAlong which line p laughed Morgan.
''You led me to believe that you had
time TO pursue but one line, - said the girl.
'True," said Morgan "It is the seri-
Gus line that | have been following up.
And it turns out just as [ expected There
has been mismanagement and carelessness.
1t appears that the head of the concern
died sometime ago and the company's af
fairs are in new and evidently incompetent
hands. Nobody at the factory seems to
know much about this, but | fancy it
speaks for itself. If an up-to-date hustler
had charge of that plant he d put it on a
paying basis inside of three months. "
The girl looked at him little curiously.
yourself, for instance?'
Morgan laughed.
II had myself in view when l spoke, .
he said. eff | had that plant in charge
I'd want full swing. And if got it L d
guarantee to return the Russell Remis
Company per cent. on their investment
the first year. He laughed a little as he
said this. 81 can afford to be egotistical, y
he added. ''It takes pull to get place
like that.
And there the subject dropped. There
were other subjects, however, to take up,
and both Miss Ellington and her aunt were
delightful takers, and Morgan told them
some of his experience in the wilds of two
continents, and something about his college
life, and the time passed very pleasantly
There was a charming dinner and pleas
ant chat in the library, and when Morgan
was coming home in the last trolley Car he
told himself that this had been the most
delightful evening he had ever known.
Two days later he received telegram.
1t was brief, but to the point.
"Deal off. Compa ny will not consider
proposition. Send in bill. Culver.
When Morgan went to pay his hotel bill
he found letter awaiting him. The en-
velope bore the imprint of the Russell
Remis Company. He hastily tore it open
1t was an offer of the superlntendency Of the
the Monticello plant, salary and other de-
tails to be arranged later. IF the place
was accepted he was asked to wire the city
office and take charged at once. The let
ter couched in strictly business terms, was
signed "Phineas Ranney, trustee.
Three days latter Morgan was hard at
work. The trustee, shrewd old lawyer,
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