The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-09-08


! ALL"
Seven" corrected Kennard.
who is the seventh, If may ask?'
"Mr. William Hardness, to be sure.
The little man stared at the speaker
! end struggled to control himself, but
the reyulsion of feeling was too great
and he seized Kennard's hand, iIapul-
siyely pressing it 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?
l want you to know Mr.. TrundelI."
who's the coyote near the door,
Jack?" asked Maddox, as the two
men passed him.
81 don't know" answered Kennard,
following Dawes glance.
That's Trundell," replied Mr.. Har-
Ian, grayely. mr. Maddox is delight
fully western in some of his express
sions," he added with smile, as they
neared the financier.
Mr.. Trundell was graciousness it.
self. He had often heard of MIR. Ken
nard from Mr.. Harlan, Neil Croydon
Danvllle Parsons and lots of theiI
friends. 1t was ridiculous they'd never
met before. However, better late than
never. AS for the business which now
brought them together, he knew little
or nothing about the trade, but he'd
heard from all sides that Mr.. Kennard
knew it from A to q and was in a POI
sition to name the very best men fol-
the work in hand. Il know the bank
ing side, but that's only detail in this
thing" he concluded, and if your
minds made UP on the business part,
1t won't take us Is minutes to agree
Kennard had been watching Mr.
Trundell's face closely, as he listened,
and every time the speaker paused,
Dawes epithet coyote" seemed to
punctuate the sentences. Had he not
been already committed to the project,
Mr. Trundells personality would have
caused him to withdraw. However, II
his suspicious were correct, his propo-
sitions would never be accepted, and
the present negotiations would go no
further.
81 appreciate being mentioned as a
Pooh BAH" he replied laughingly, as
Mr.. Trundell concluded, but / doubt
my qualifications for the Office. How
ever, let me introduce some of the
men who ought to be consulted, and
you can discuss things together"
who are they? The men you want
for directors?
eyes"
"Well, name them"
"Messrs. Latham, Rogers, Benson
spaulding, Maddox. Hardness and my
SELF
"Um-seven. How large directo-
rate do you think we ought to have?'
Il don't know. That's banking de-
tail, isn't it?"
Mr.. Trundell smiled and laid fat
hand on Kennard's knee.
"You only want to be sure of the
majority. Isn't that it?" he asked with
jocular wink.
That's it," answered Kennard
gravely.
Under advice of counsel, sup
poser"
Mr.. Trundell's smile broadened as
he spoke.
you're right" he went on briskly,
pressing Kennard's knee with his hand
I'D Go it in your place, but" he added
confidentially, there isn't one man in
SO would think of it beforehand. You
know your men. suppose, and take
1t they know the business, and can
be depended upon for business CO.
operation. That's all want. AS for
the balance of the board, of course Har-
Ian and will ser'e. but whom do you
want for the rest, Harlan?'' he asked,
turning to the promoter.
Why have any more?'
Because we've got to have a full
board, of course"
Not necessarily. You can have any
up to 49,"
But, good Lord, you've had expert
ence enough in these things, Harlan,
to know a full list looks better with |
the public"
Mr.. Harlan rrowned at the speakers
impatient tone.
"Just as you like" he answered cold
ly.
"Thirteen's an unlucky number OBJ |
served Kennard soothingly, as he no
ticed Mr.. Harlans annoyance. Per
haps we could compromise on dozen"
NO wemust have full board. But
If you don't care who they are, Mr.
KennaId, III pick out good figure
heads by the time we get before the
public"
Half an hour later the meeting in
agreed that Kennard and his |
six sominees should control the board |
Of directors for the first year of the
Machine companies.
Mighty fierce struggle for control,
wasn't it?" laughed Mr.. Trundell, as he
shook Kennard's hand at parting.
Wen have to box the Office boys |
ears for excitement If we always agree
like this"
CHAPTER XXI.
Mr. Parsons EXPRESSED HIS nrivate