The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-02-03

'Some banks amt with shucks,
said Hillyer. Look 'em up, George
See what their commercial rating u.s."
George orened an enormous, green
covered bot on the desk, ran over the
| pages for moment and turned. They
are quoted from three hundred to five
hundred IL -asand: credit Al" he said
''Oh, yes, they are all right" said
Kenner. You'll get every cent the7
agree TO pay. Don't you think so,
Hanks;'
Hanks shrugged his shoulders. 81
don't know thing about en- be re-
! sponded slowly, but eff it was my
deal / would"
"Ses, you would" laughed Kenner.
who never met an occasion too serious
! for a stab at Hanks You'd know the
sort O. socks they wore an how Their
teeth was filed before they saw yore
money"
EFF had any doubts about it at ALL"
said Hanks. I'D attach q sight draft
to the bill o ladin'."
bill o. ladin', you dried moke!' said
Kenner. This amt no car o. scrap
iron they are a-shippin'. It's fer ware
houses full o. wheat all over the south
an west. They've got to trust some
body long enough to git the stuff trans
ferred"
There was silence for a moment.
Hillyer looked as if he were on the
verge of a nervous collapse. Il don't
know what to do" he said in a plain
tive voice, land we've jest got to act"
"Oh, If you feel uncertain about it,"
said Buckley. why not simply ask
your bankers in New Orleans to make
a cash transfer and wire you when it
is closedT
"Of course" gasped Hillver THAT'S
Cnc very InIng. ri run up to the teIe-
graph Office
George followed him to the door and
detained him in the sunshine on the
sidewalk. us there anything wrong,
Mr.. HillyerY" he questioned in much
concern.
For a moment the old man gave him
an almost frantic stare.
L III
said, but l can't be calm when so
much Is at stake 1t seems to me,
George, that ef this thing falls through
without gain I'm lost forever No:
don't stop me. I'll tell you every
thing after awhile. Put them fellers
off the track; tell 'em anything. 1t
amt none O. Their business nohow.''
Z IT actually believe the old mans of |
his nut little, George" said Kenner.
Don't you think so, Lib"
How do know said Hanks, rous- |
Ing himself from the. contemplation of |
some matter of his own.
That's fact" retorted the cotton |
buyer. Couldn't expect one cracked
man to judge the case Of another"
George went to his desk, obviously to
write a letter, but he did not go to
work. He was, indeed, much con-
cerned over the conduct of his en-
ployer. And then thrill of horror ran
through him. Perhaps Hillyer had
been specializing recklessly and was on
the verge of ruin. And to such an ex-
tent did this fear lay hold of his mind
that he found himself all at once TAX
ng the most gloomy view of the affair.
Perhaps the old man had allowed his
broad sympathies to draw him into
heavy Endorsements for other people
until his entire business depended OIL
he outcome Of the venture in wheat.
Perhaps Georges heart sank lower
perhaps all the wheat In question was
inder heavy mortgage at that very
and 1t was for that reason
1illyer doubted prompt payment.
Presently Hillyer came back, his face
laggard, his manner still highly nerv-
II sent the order to our bankers" he !
aid, and then he sat down at his desk.
closely watching him. saw him
raw sheet Of paper to him and dip
pen In the ink well, but he did not
write. Kenner went out to the COM
ress on hearing the gang, Of negroes
buddy laughing at some mishap, and
Tanks slouched after him. .Hillyer
,oked about the room and observed !
hat he and George were alone but he
cid nothing Half an hour passed,
hen a telegram came. The old men
ook it with qufvering fingers and
pened It, 1t fell futtering to his feet.
he, gray head went down. George
Igned for the telegram and sent the !
oy away.
What is itT' he asked his employer,
cold fear over him.
Hillyer looked up. Jacobs & Co. :
ant thirty days." he groaned. George,
felt 1t comm. It's Gods sign to me.
m q damned soul. Lynn Hambright I
at the throne directing my over I
lrow. This thing settles me. l met /
is old mother up the street yesterday. c
he looked me right in the face and '
Id not speak. 1 knowed then that II
was going to happen"
George could say nothing at all. He
- Al - ,1nsN..