The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-08-18

isbu1ent as another voice ans"ered-
rs that you, Harlan? This is Tran-
dell"
eYes?"
WHAT'S doing in Confoderated Ma
chine?"
time
UNI"
There was long pause, and McMah-
mis- strained his ears, fearing ne hau
been cut OF. but at last the strange
voice continued:
81 see you're Incorporated
Eyes"
"That's all you want to say!
Eyes. Report progress to inqulrers'.
"Um. l don't see it,.
"What?"
"The progress.
.Well, YOU will. Just remember this
still-hunt was your 'dea.'
Eyes. but this is little too sun.
Hope you'll have something to tell me
! soon"
..Hope so, too Good-by."
"Good-by.'
McMannis hung up the receiver on
the hook, paid a double charge without
nrotest and fastened toward the Of
6ce of the Milling Companies. His
present business with Mr.. Harlan could
not well be conducted by telephone
The vice president of the Milling
Companies was a somewhat inaccessl'
bio person, and the stranger withlI
his gates seldom got any further
| McMannis found his progress Cd
structed by brass ratings, office boys
ante-rooms. private secretaries ane
/ every other protection that hedges tint
New York fnancier BY the time he
had run the gauntlet of the sentrles
written out his name and business
on a printed form, cooled his heels IL
three waiting-rooms, and been cross
examined by the head office boy,
confidential clerk, and Mr.. Harlans
private secretary, he was in no very
affable mood, and the atmosphere OF
the sanctum sanctorum itself, when he
lid reach it, was not calculated to re-
store his geniality.
Mr.. Harlan's reception of his visit
Or was frigidly polite, but entirely free
from cordiality. Neither was his funG
Of information excessive. Had he
heard any talk of combination in
yolving John Kennard's Sons? Mr.
Harlan wondered II his visitor had,
and answered evasively. Why did Nc
Mannis ask? Because he was interest
I'd In protecting the workmen there
Mr.. Harlan smiled the quiet, Irritating
smile of which he was master, and
gave other evidences of being frankly
amused. 1t was easy to see Peter was
new at his business, he observed, since
be proposed wasting his time in trying
20 work against John Kennard, whom
everybody knew gave his wor6men all
hey wished and would give any agita-
.or more than he wanted. 1t was some
what comic, Mr.. Harlan commented, to
think OF Peter McMannis posing as a
champion of downtrodden labor, and
his selection of kennard's men as his
wards completed the comedy.
The expression on McMannis' face
as his patron joked and ridiculed him
was sinister in the extreme. Almost
any other man would have taken warn
ing al once, but Joshua Harlan gave
40 heed until the delegate-at-large
snapped out that it was evident some
body had his own reasons for wanting
Kennard left alone
To his utter surprise Mr.. Harlan adj
: mitted it, accompanying the admission
with sheer which was at once
+. threat and a challenge. His change Of
: manner was as complete as it was sud
len. From amused contempt it passed
to cool commanding scorn, and from
familiar testing his tone turned TO
lomineering insistence. If the forme'
lad irritated McMannis, the latter
roused every slumbering devil within
, him. until he fairly rocked with anger
It almost seemed as though Mr.. Harlan
=, was bent on engaging his visitor to thf
+. last possible degree.
Yes. he YVES interested in the Con
! federated Machine company Mr.. Har
tan repeated, and it was just as wei
McMannis knew it. Why? So as no
to run counter to his patrons plans
Suppose he didn't approve those plans
. He must approve them. Must ne
Certainly. How could he do otherwise
: what would he dare dc?
D The visitor, bursting with anger
I mentally put price on each e0ear AM
2 tnsinuating infection an3 RESPONDED
e with a question asked with half-close'
u eyelids and an attitude, part crouch
q Dart aringe. What was there in it TO
= him.
y The answer was a laugh. a low mock
s. Ing laugh minoled with note OF as
3 tonishment and wrath.
= There wes another question to b
4. asked end the labor agitator shot a
. ugly glance at his companion as n
put it. Was Mr. Harlan looking Il
- trouble? What aid TIE walking Def
az gate mean? The question was repea
VI ed. Did Mr.. Harlan want trouble!
.. not, led better talk plain and qail
to the sneaker. Mr.. Harlan would tai