The Brunswick daily news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1903-1906, 1903-05-17
Tale Of a Trade
Freeze-Out.
Inc Plan of Alphonso Beveridge, Com
mission Merchant, Its Success
and Its Failure.


away at a cigar with an osten-
tatious gold label. His feet were
perched upon his desk. His chin
rested ponderously upon a partic-
ularly well favored necktie. His head
was philanthropically bald. His prom
inent eyes were of IN honest blue.
Alphonso Beveridge had the faculty of
looking at a man with a frank and
pensive gaze, speaking meanwhile with
the most gorgeous intent to deceive.
He greatly prlded himself upon this
happy little trait of character. Bev-
eridge was considering how he could
cause his running expenses to slow
down. In this act he had the whole
world arrayed against him. Naturally,
therefore, he demanded absolute quiet.
$40 get a monopoly of the Japanese
commission business" cogitated Bev-
eridge. II must get my goods landed in
Japan cheaper than my competitor,
Smith & Son. There are two branches
of the commission misunderstanding
and forwarding. Both ourselves and
Smith & Son have the buying as close
as 1t can be arranged. 1t comes down,
then, to a question of forwarding"
Beveridge smiled proudly at his logic.
"At present." he continued, 'both
ourselves and Smith & Son pay the
same ocean transportation rate. Ihave
tried to get lower rate from the
steamship company, but failed. 1
wonder"-here Alphonso Beveridge
smiled-"I wonder If put the SCREENS
On the steamship company"-here his
smile grew almost beatific in its bland
innocence-"I wonder If under those
circumstances 1 couldn't get better
rate than Smith & Son. Perhaps jim
my Roseman could help me. By Jove,
I'll try itv'
Here, it will be seen, was forid
and elderly gentleman who wore vio-
lent neckties, spoke smillngly of put
ting on the screws and said by Jove."
Under propitious circumstances such q
man will go far, but it may be paren-
thetically stated that he will not neces-
sarily come back in his automobile. p
Jimmy Roseman was a marine
freight broker who made a speciality of
Japanese shipments. He was one of
those interesting characters who have
reduced commercial pantomime to a
science. When he talked business his
most important points were delivered
by throwing out his arms. q shrug of
lis shoulders OF delicate little play of
features.
Hello, Jimmy" said Beveridge
"Take a chair. / always liked the way
you keep your appointments"
Jimmy motioned slightly with his left
hand. An unbiased spectator, seeing
that gesture, would eagerly have made
affidavit to the fact that Jimmy had
never been late to an appointment in
his life.
"Now, Jimmy" said Beveridge, 81
want you to do something for me. And
l want it kept quiet. If you agree, I'll
give you the brokerage of all our South
American freights."
Jimmy made q pleased motion with
his left hand.
Nov, Jimmy" said Beveridge, "you
know that 1 send all my japanese
freight by the Oriental Steamship Com
pany. They control all the shipping
to Japan and they refuse to give me
a better rate than any one else" Bcv-
eridge's features assumed a bitter and
injured look. "And here I have 1000
tons of freight a month";" he almost
howled.
"Well, now, Jimmy" he resumed
more quietly, 81 want you to advertise
an opposition Japanese line of steam
ers. Then We'll make the old Oriental
line think I'm going in with you. Then
they'll come to terms, and I'll insist on
a good favorable rate. See? Good
enough. Now for details"
BY Jimmy's clever play of elbows
and the humorous manner in which he
gave roguish set to his beard. it was
plain to see that he anticipated much
real pleasure from little innocent pull
ing of the Oriental leg.
The New York Manager of the Orl-
entail Steamship Company sat in the
lobby of his hotel and communed dark
~ with himself. Heretofore his steam
ship company had had a monopoly OF
the carrying business from New York
to Japan, and now an impertinent COM
petitor had raised it's saucy head and
promised low rates to all its support
ers. Therefore the manager of the
Oriental Steamship Company com
muned thus darkly with himself as
he sat in a retired nook hid from the
general gaze by large flowing palm.
Alphonso Beveridge and Jimmy
Roseman tiptoed from the hotel dining
room and took up n strategic position
on the other side of the palm. "He is
there" motioned Jimmy, winlling ray
ishiDgly at the palm.
"Well Jimmy" said Bcveridge, "and
how's your opposition japanese line of
steamers making out:"
Behind the palm the eyes of the man
ager of the Oriental Steamship Com
pany grew large with sudden intelll-
gence. He silently put his foot on his
cigarette and listened sreedily for jim
my's answer.
well" said Jimmy. "I'vc got n lot
of little shippers into line. and if I can
get you think I'll be All right You're
paying SO e ton now. Tm willing to
let you in on The grouHd floor and give
YOU rate of $40 Il ton for a Two years
contract"
Bevcridge paused before replying in