Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-02-09

L
know, so that before / realized it
the time came when we were to
separate. Much to my surprise and
with the air of one who was merely
curious, he asked for my card, which,
OF course, | gave him. In return he
| gave me his own card, said Good
day. jumped into cab and was
away.
| IL looked at the card and read:
| James Brown, Oakhurst.' Well, mas
much as there are several hundred
Oakhursts and thousands of James
Browns in the country l threw the
card away and catching a car was
soon at the 23d street ferry and on
my way to Jersey.
LAS | expected, the Metropolitan
was on the rocks. Liabilities $50.
900 above assets, books in wretched
shape and a meeting of creditors due
for Monday morning. ! was there
by invitation and fidgeting under the
consciousness that the concern owed
me a trife over a thousand dollars
While / listened to the proceedings
of the first days meeting | was not
questioned and did not offer any sug-
gestions--you see, / was cudgelling
my brain for some method by which
| might gain at least hnger-hold
on the business in case it should be
recognized.
AT the Tuesday meeting | was
called upon, almost at the beginning,
and for an hour or more | answered
questions as TO the methods OF con
Quoting the business, so far as.
knew them; told who and where
our best customers were, gave my
opinion as to their standing, re-
hearsed prices and terms, and all
that, without committing myself in
favor of anyone. Presently a slen-
der, aristocratic-looking young man
whom | had not noticed on the pre-
vious day asked: Mr.. Butler, what
is your opinion as to the feasibility,
under proper conditions, of success
fully continuing this business?
That was the first intimaton that
had been offered in that direction
and, coming so Unexpectedly, l was
dazed for an instant. However, |
pulled myself together and answered:
With thirty days time allowed to
rearrange the system of conducting
this business, and sixty days addi-
tional of credit TO the extent of the |
this business can be
conducted for at least 10 per cent. ,
less than the records show as the
present cost. With these concessions
the business can be continued, can be
very much increased and at fair
profit on the capitalization, which is
none too large"
"Are you confident, Mr.. Butler"
resumed the pale, studious-looking
young man, that under such condi-
tions you could save and increase the
volume of this business, and would
you undertake such proposition il
asked to do SOP"
By this time | was standing in a
perfect sunburst of hope and conf
dence, but | held myself level and
replied very calmly: 81 am willing to
stake my reputation and all else
have on my success and will gladly
consider any such proposal"
All this time there hadn't been a
word spoken during our conference
and as | finished the silence was so
dense | could fairly see it. Tense
with curiosity, fear and rope | was
about to add few words as to the
reasons for my faith, when the young
man, as though speaking to a casual
acquaintance, said: 81 move, Mr..
Chairman, that our committee be au-
thorized to confer further with Mr..
Butler and be given power, il in
their judgment it is deemed desira-
Bile, 10 place the property and bust
ness of the Metropolitan Novelty Co.
in the supreme control of Mr.. But
Ter for a given time and under such
as may be mutually agreed
upon"
81 support Mr.. Browns motion"
observed a gentleman whom | knew
rs a very wealthy but. conservative
man and a minor stakeholder and,
while the motion was being put and
carried, thought more rapidly than
had ever done before on a bust
ness proposition. Well, l met with
he committee Immediately after din
her and spent the entire afternoon
with them. the result being that with
n a week the company was reorgan-
zed and Our list of employees had I
been reduced by four designations.
Another week and | had things going
ship shape, and the enterprise has
,rospercd ever since. /
"But who was the young and pale
md thoughtful Mr. Brown" | asked
That uae the fret oueetiOn 7 aeked