The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-06-17
BILLY WATTS
OF The FIGHTING FAGE
And How Re Became an Unconscious
Philanthropist for a Great Corporation
...Ths Romance Of the Underbid... .......

aDIy OutStretcneQ 1ney appedTeu "
be eminently cultured. They also
seemed to be bored to death. Each
stonily regarded all the others and was
jn turn stonily regarded. A prosperous
looking porter unctuonsly sidled up
and down the aisle keeping an indus
tiouS eye on future tips.
In the little smoking compartment
Billy Watts looked moodly at the pass
ing scenery. He was one of those IN.
fortunate characters who have what
is generally known as q fighting face.
He gave the unmistakablc impression
of q man who did things in tense and
strenuous manner. 1t was his misfor-
tune to attempt to live up to this i'm
preston. In the grand harmony of life
he was always playing Wagnerian
chords with the loud pedal on. The
tremulo effects he disregarded entirely.
The twiddley bits had no charm for
him.
Billy Watts was the sales manager
of the Western Tool Machine Company.
He was on his way to New York to bid
on complete new tool equipment for
the Gotham Manufacturing Company.
AS he sat in the imperturable Pullman
his expression was that of a man who
is continually sounding the lead in a
troubled sea Of thought. He desired
nightly to get that contract. He was
planning for an increase of salary and
ha noodof n foru ctropo aronmonfs m
make his presentation of the case i'm
perative.
As Watts rode along. he thought. AS
he thought, plan struck him. The
more he considered the plan the more
feasible it appeared.
'I'll try it," said he at last; Its new
and it's novel, but III just work it for
all there is in it."
In connection with this it may be set
forth that it has been aptly said that
conservatism is nothing more nor less
than allowing some other chap priority
in monkeying with fercely rotating
buzz saw.
Henry Hardman. president of the
Gotham Manufacturing Company, was
in a thoughtful frame of mind. His
feet were perched on his desk. He sat
far down in his chair with his hands
clasped over his chest. The smoke Of
an old brier pipe curled lazily upwards.
His eyes gently opened and closed as
he gazed up at the ceiling with an un-
seeing look. Occasionally he glanced
on his desk at pile of tenders for the
new machine tool equipment which his
company was about to purchase.
:, Zone hundred thousand dollars is a
lot Of money to pay for those TOOLS" he
murmured at these times
Billy Watts, of the Western Machine
Tool Company, ushefed himself in.
, His fighting face was very noticeable.
. A II wish to put in tender on your
Equipment" he announced to Hard
- man. ''Our tender will be unconven-
tional, but it will save you money.
My proposition is this: We know we
have better facilities than any of our
competitors, and We are willing to take
this business of yours for five per cent.
less than the lowest tender received"
He paused impressively. Hardman
lazily struck match as though this
whole affair was immaterial to him.
Just make that offer in writing" he
remarked, land 1 will consider it.
RHave you your credentials with you?
fThanks.'
Billy Watts left the Office with glow
ing happiness depicted upon very feat
ure.
II see that raise coming my way
with wide open arms" he assured him.
self as he reached Liberty street.
1t might not he out Of place to pause
here and reflect that when man sees
anything coming his way with wide
open arms it is the course of wisdom
for him Immediately to drop all detach-
Aable impedimenta and make beeline
for the green and verdant woods.
Now every man has his own particu'
liar destiny, but ii is the common des'
3iny of all of US not to have too much
Of pudding CT anything. Otherwise
our appctites for progression would
become cloyed and ambition would suf.
n fer from dyspepsia. If Billy Watts had
Abeen without competition, his little
Scheme might have worked out to q
successful end. But Steve Dunham's
des tinal orbit conhicted with that OF
XHBiny Watts at this exact stage of their
careers, and Steve Dunham
was hard man to do.