The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-04-06

ana l DoueVe ne q Ue ooubneO WIN tcSo
than the presidency"
Eyes, guess he would." laughed
Rhodes. But how can you offer him
anything? The. banking interest will
want representation"
"All right. Well give II to them"
answered Maddox.
"How?" asked Spaulding. "Oh.
sce," he added smilingly. I'VE only
want to know who composes the ma
jority Of the board. They can have
the other places. Isn't that TT"
Exactly; but to do II we must have
the votes. and shall try to get them, %
answered Kennard, as he started to-
ward the Hardness group.
Men of small caliber have this ad-
vantage over their mental superiors.
They experience more moments Of tri-
umph. Little Harkness was continu-
ally conjuring up ovations to himself
out Of which he took more private sat
isfaction than an able man would ever
extract from real recognition. But Of
all his supreme moments, the bright
est was that which saw John Ken
udEu CIOSSIuS tue IOoul W SIuSlG LII
out for consultation. No king or po-
tentate could have inspired William
Hardness with the respect which the
firm of John Kennard's Sons COM
manded. The might of majesty would
not have seriously impressed him, but
the power of the great business house
was real He had felt and tested II q
score Of times. He recognized In Ken
nard commercial supremacy, than
which he knew no higher law, an&he
could scarcely restrain himself from
starting forward to greet the man
whom he regarded as its exponent.
However, he continued to harangue
his adherents, as Kennard approached,
raising his voice little for the bene-
ft Of the newcomer
''Yes, l was one Of the first" he re-
peated, "the first may say, to think
Of our getting together in this way.
I had been observing the trend Of
events in the business world for many
years, and everywhere I noted drift
toward consolidation-a slow drift, I'm
perceptible to many. but to my eyes
showing the Good-evening, Mr..
Kennard. It's a real pleasure to see
you here, sir. Won't you have a cigar?
A commercial pipe of peace. Ha, ha,
ha! I think these gentlemen don't
know you," he continued with note
Of pride. ALLOW me to present them"
Little Hardness introduced his friend
Mr.. Kennard, of John Kennards Sons,
as though he personally owned him,
and desired to impress the favor Of
the introduction upon the circle. Then
fearing he was displaying too much
pleasure, he FASTENED to continue his
analysis of the process of thought
which had led him to conceive the
great project of consolidation. Ken
nard listened patiently to the mono
logue until the ego of the man was sat
isfied, and then asked for a moments
private consultation. The air with
which Willie Hardness reluctantly ex-
cused himself to his admirers was the
essence Of pure comedy. But no trace
OF Kennard's amusement betrayed It.
self in his voice as he rapidly sketched
the situation to his new ally. They
were going into q big and an untried
venture, he explained. Its success
would largely depend upon its start.
The most powerful interests should
therefore stand together at the very
outset
Harkness drank in the words eager
ly. but was too swollen with pride for
response, merely nodding his head
with comic solemnity. His hour had
come. John Kennard, the head of the
house of Kennard's Sons, was about to
offer him the presidency of the new
company. He was appreciated at last!
The directorate was, of all things,
the most important, Kennard contin-
ued, and the prominent stockholders
should unite now to insure its being
In proper hands. Could he be counted
upon for his support? Harkness
gazed at his questioner in uncertainty.
Was his vote the only object of this
conference? He struggled to conceal
his modification by a dignified inquiry.
For whom was his support solicited?
Kennard named the proposed board
OF directors. Latham, Rogers, Spauld-
ing, Benson, Maddox and himself.
Harkness' face fell perceptibly at each
name. The presidency had not been
mentioned. His name was not even
included in the list OF directors. A
dictatorship was far less than his due,
but still--His disappointment was rap
idly turning to anger, and when he
spoke again his voice trembled.
Latham, Rogers. Spaulding, Ben
son. Maddox" he repeated. II
haven't the pleasure of Mr. Maddox
aequaintance-and yourself-six in
ALL"
Seven" corrected Kennard.
who is the seventh. II may ask?"
"Mr. William Harkness, to be sure"
The little man stared at the speaker
and struggled to control himself, but
the reyulsion Of feeling was too great,
and he seized Kennard's hand, impul-
sively pressing 1t in both of his.
Excuse me for interrupting you."
Both men turned to find Mr.. Harlan
standing close beside them.
How do you do, Hardness? Ken
nard, won't you come over here. please?
] want you to know Mr.. Trundell."
y Who's the coyote near the door,
Jack?" asked Maddox. as the two
men passed him.
II don't know" answered Kennard.
following Dawes glance
That's Trundell," replied Mr.. Har-
Ian. gravely. "Mr. Maddox is delight-