Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-07-11
CHAPTER XIV.


though he had shelved 1t temporarily,
he had never for an instant regarded
It as time wasted. Mr. Trundell was
too experienced a business man to
count his chickens before they were
hatched, but the failure to realize pros
pective profits irritated him almost as
much as actual pecuniary loss. 1t was
in no very amicable mood, therefore.
that he had telephoned Mr.. Harlan
for information about the Confederated
Machine companies, and he interpreted
the vague report Of progress In most
unfavorable manner.
Mr.. Trundell picked up the tape and
glanced at the quotation Of the Mill
ing companies stock. If Harlan was
borrowing on that collateral, his good
faith might possibly be insured. There
was no use taking risks. Mr.. Trundell
handled the tape again, looked over the
sales sheet of the day before, figured
for a few moments on a pad, and
pushed the electric button in his desk.
AS though in answer, the door lead
ing to the private hall opened, and a
messenger entered, laid card before
his employer, and stepped back await
ing instructions. The senior partner
scowlingly picked up the pasteboard,
read the name peter McMannis," NUT
tered who the dew" stopped, and
then continued figuring on his pad.
Tell Mr.. Seftner to come here" he
ordered.
Yes, sir. And the gentleman who's
called?"
Send Seftner here. Don't you un-
derstand English? What the"
The clerk fed, and in a moment
more Mr.. Seftner, the firms confiden-
tial mar approached his chief, who
was still angrily figuring.
Find out what Milling Is in the
loan crowd" he ordered, land whose
it is. Bring me their last report and
list Of stockholders. Drop everything
else till you get those things DONE"
Very well, sir. Anything else?"
mo. Yes, there is" he growled, as
his eye fell on the card before him.
THAT damned idiot Parks brought In
this. Find out who the fellow Is and
what he wants"
He filliped the card across the desk
as he spoke, and rising from his seat,
took up the tape again. He was still
studying it when Seftner returned,
and 1t was some moments before he
raised his eyes and grunted the neces-
sary recognition.
"Mr. McMannis says you don't know
him and he doesn't know you," re-
ported the clerk. "He insists that his
business Is private and personal, and
when informed him that unless he
told me what 1t was, you wouldn't see
him, he started to go, but hesitated at
the door, and said / might say he came
from Mr.. Harlan"
SHOW him I'M" he snapped.
Mr.. Trundell did not rise at his WIS.,
itor entered, and What d you WANT"
uttered like an imprecation, was his
only greeting. The coarse voice and
rough words had no note Of superiority
about them, and McMannis welcomed
this as a good omen. Then he glanced
at the senior partners face, and SEEM
ingly found 1t satisfactory, for he sat
down in one Of the easy-chairs, and
started at his host with an assurance
he never displayed in Mr.. Harlan's
presence. He noted the luxurious sur
roundings, and was conscious of the
general atmosphere Of wealth and COM
fort without experiencing any misgiv-
ing as to the owner Of the room. And
Trundell, gazing at his visitors face,
reflected, to certain extent some OF
the interest he inspired, and his inter-
est grew as he listened to McMannis'
story. 1t was simple story, and he
told it frankly. He explained his as
sociation with the Central association
and his efforts among John Ken
nard's workmen; he spoke of the grow
ing discomfort there, and of his dis
covery that syndicate was forming
In which Messrs. Harlan and Trundell
were important factors. He rehearsed
his visit to Mr.. Harlan for some as
surance as to wages and workmen In
case the syndicate plans went through,
and described something of his recep-
tion at the hands Of that gentleman.
His present visit was to repeat his re-
quest for some definite information as
to the intentions of the new manage
ment toward employees of the combin-
ing companies. There was not word
in McMannis' recital which might not
have been uttered before dozens Of
listeners Nor was there anything open
to criticism in Trundell's frank reply.
Mr. McMannis was quite right, he OBJ
served, to raise such questions before
they became issues, but Kennard, and
not he, was to-day the controlling in
fiuence. Frankly, Mr.. Kennard had not
yet agreed to join the syndicate. II
he stayed out, it meant a trade war,
and wages would be what the workmen
could get. 1t he came in at the right
figure-Mr. Trundell emphasized the
last words slightly-the thing would be
commercially successful, and the pre-
vailing rate of wages would govern,
and steady work was assured.
Mr.. McMannis now understood the
situation more clearly, but one or two
questions presented themselves to his
mind as Mr.. Trundell was speaking,
and he proceeded to put them.
For a few minutes after his visitor
ceased speaking the senior partner
watched the little machine as its
wheels whirred backward and forward,
tapping and clicking the record OF
business done. Then he slowly re-
seated himself at his desk, and began
to talk with his eyes fixed on the 1el-
egate's face.
It is wonderful how certain types OF
men recognize each other, no matter
how disguised. The bribe-giver ana
the bribe- -taker seldom mistake one an
other. There is strong psychological
interest in this clear connection be-
tween minds warded by warped con-
sciences. Their complete understand
ing Is surely the genius Of interpreta-