The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-09-29

'1 DON'T BELIEVE IT'LL SAG MUCH
ON ACCOUNT OF THAT STUFF
of course. Do you think I'd play
She hand this way if | wasn't? You've
been dancing too much lately, guess,
sOr you wouldn't ask such fool ques-
Hions. / thought you understood the
game. This company's making a big
pile of money and can make more.
There's a lot of stock around some
where which can be shaken out and
gath cred in, sooner or later, in one
way or another. If we corral enough
of it. we can reorganize and make the
heaviest rake-off we've done since"
whats the use of going over that,
Dick? Do you suppose I've been asleep
aT the time?'
what makes you ask such silly
questions. them"
"About the control? | merely Won
q1ered if you were dead sure of it,
"You must think I'm losing my grip.
You know what we have; Hardness
knows who made him president and
who'll keep him cooked up; I've got
the customers proxies, and Harlan
can account for the rest"
"Then he must have bought it early
I'm the year"
"IIe did"
where did he get the money!
Damned if l know"
you'd better make sure it's in his
paw and paid for, Dick. There have
been some funny rumors about that
Milling Companies of his lately, and
she stock is as weak as cat.
'Um. I'll ask him about it to-day.
aOf course there's no use taking risks"
Mr.. Trundell did ask about it, and
the information was most satisfactory
Had he heard a conversation which
occurred about the same time between
Maddox and Kennard, he would have
been more than satisfied, for in 1t Ken
laard announced his acquisition OF
stock on the first break in the mar
ket, and lis firm determination to try
for control.
"Then why on earth haven't you
published the facts about the last
meeting?" objected Maddox. You
certainly intended doing SO at the
Hme"
circumstances alter cases, Dave
rnrundell printed his story first, which
would have made mine an explanation
rather than an indictment. Then, on
second thoughts, l concluded any such
statement would raise the price OF
stock and not lower it, | am quite
willing to have them lower 1t for me, II
they will" he added, smilingly "Dut
almost every one who's interested
knows of this fight now, and there's
hardly any stock on the market. How
ever, If there was, I've bought about
all | can carry, and perhaps little
more than's absolutely safe"
you've made a big mistake, Jack,
/ tell you the complete exposure OF TINS
conspiracy will bring you the vote OF
every honest stakeholder"
perhaps, but there are not enough
of them. I'm inclined to think TINS
games been planned too far ahead for
rs old man. To-day we're good
many shares short of control, ana l
don't believe there's an unpledged vote
on the books.
What. Do you mean to say you've
given up the fight, Jack?'
No. and | shall not, until lts over.
But I'm not hopeful"
You're overworked, that's whats
9he matter.
Il wish it were the only thing Hut
I've canvassed the field pretty thor
,oushly for the past month. AT hrst
/ thought the outside interest was
considerable. But Mr.. Harlan has be-
come far larger owner than he was.
good many small holdings nave
been traced into his hands. I'm AFRAID
the balance of power is secured.
They've got a good thing and they re
preparing TO squeeze us out. People
nave been more than decent. For IN
slant. Danville Parsons bought when
{ couldn't buy any more, and put MS
shares absolutely at my control. But
the books close in ten days, and I'm
afraid we'll find we've got the small
end in the draw
Maddox gazed anxiously at the tired,
careworn face.
How much difference will 1t make
to you. old man?