The Savannah morning news., 1903-09-27

age price of 80, and ten shares at 100,
his purchases having cost him $l2,40O.
At 90, Heath would have to pay him
$4,000 for 400 shares, so he could pay
an eXorhitant price for the ten shares
of stock which he needed to make his
contract good and still profit.
He wrote to Folk again, and told
him that he was willing to pay any
reasonable price for ten shares, and
received the reply that his client was
well satisfied with the prospects of
the San Reno mine, but might con-
slider an offer to take the whole of
the 100-share lot.
This was putting ANOTHER face on
affairs. The sixty days within which
he had agreed to make delivery lack
ed only one week of being up, and 1t
began to dawn on Marchmont that in
some way Heath was behind this re-
fusal of Folks client to sell.
Some old fogy who knows nothing
of business and believes everything
Heath says about the future of the
company, no doubt" said Marchmont
to himself. Il must make an effort
to see him or to get Folk to explain
the situation. 1t is very peculiar that
he does not want his name mentioned.
That is Heath's work, I am sure.
Don't want this unknown to hear the
1t was not now a question of get
ting out with a profit that confronted
Marchmont. If he could see and talk
with this person who held the 100
shares, he could possibly persuade him
to sell the shares at a price not so
far above par but that he could come
out of the deal without a loss, but
there seemed to be no prospect of
this. On the other hand, he could
~ e. at
price Heath chose to exact or let
Heath bring suit for -fulflllment.
1t was not in accord with his nature
to own his defeat to any one, much
less to Heath and a suit brought
against him for non-fulfillment of con-
tract might do the firm of March
mont & Co. an incalculable amount of
damage. He had often said, and he
realized the truth of the statement
that the reputation of a banking firm
was like that of a woman, even a
breath of scandal may do it an injury
that nothing on earth can ever repair.
He resolved that the best plan was
to go to Folk and explain the whole
case to him. Folk was sympathetic.
He understood Marchmont's position
and regretted extremely that he should
be so embarrassed. But he could do
nothing. The ethics of his profession
to his clients identity, nor could he
promise to arrange a meeting. He
would do his best to get his client to
name a price for the stock. He did
not believe his client would consent
to sell unless very large price was
offered.
"Ill give a very large price, said
Marchmont. 'I'll give 200 per share.
1 think it is your duty as an attorney
-1wrs-- 1ls- 81
Mr.. Folk needed no instructions
from Mr.. Marchmont as to his duties
to a client Nor was he disposed to
receive any. Nevertheless, he would
ask his client to name a price.
Marchmont was to call at 10 o'clock
on the last morning of the sixty days.
Delivery would have to be made by
noon of that day.
At 10 o'clock he entered Folks Of
flee, a little less color than usual in
his checks, but bearing no other testi-
mony of the fact that he had not
slept the night previous.
Folk met Marchmont in the outer
Office and told him that his client was
in the inner Office and did not wish to
meet him unless an agreement for
the sale of the stock should be made.
His client had named a price, but it
was so enormous that Folk hesitated
to mention it,
Name it, man. Name it. I mast
get them at any price, and make the
transfer bcfore noon. / told you
would pay 200. I'll pay $50 if it is
necessary, but / must have them at
any price. The credit of my firm is at
stake, and l cannot afford to wait a
moment"
THE price is $1,000 a share"
Outrageous Man alive, $4,000 for
ten shares! But / win pay it,
THE price is not named for ten
shares You can have 100 shares at
ST. 900 share, or you have ten shares
at $4,000 a share"
ITS blackmail!" said Marchmont
pacing up and down the office. by
God! Heath is behind this, and It is
nothing more or less than blackmail!
l won't pay it,"
Il will inform my client of your de-
cision," said Folk, with quiet dignity,
"and bid you good-morning."
stop a moment, Folk" said March
mont Give me time to think. l am
in a trap and l don't see any way out
of it. If 1 don't buy from Heath, and
1 haven't a doubt but what he is die
tating the price you have named to
me. Give me a moment. I'll pay the
500 000 My check is good, isn't it?'
all ready for the transfer, If you will
sign the check now"
This was done. and just as it was
completed, the door from the inner Of
fee swung open and Marchmont look
ed up Just in time to see Heath.
Marchmont turned on him savagely:
you won. 1 suppose you had these
100 shares In your control all the
time and lied 10 me when you said
you had only $40, eh?'
The young mans eyes blazed at the
charge. and he took one hasty step for
ward. then he stopped and said:
You are an old man, and you are
beside yourself at being caught IN
game not a bit worse than you have
played on other people-on me, for
Instance. II II hardly necessary for
me 10 say that I did not lie 20 you.
Here Is the owner Of that i00-share
And from the inner Office walked
Emily
tAs soon as ! organized the COM
pany" continued Heath, n SCI aside
500 shares az a wedding present for
Emily, put these into Folks hands