Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-09-24

eyes" said he steadily. quite beyond
suspicion. You see, Mr.. Martin, in my
position | am compelled to be liberal.
The government cannot set other employ
ers the example of grinding men down by
low wages. However reasons apart, there
is the fact. We cannot go on without
more money; and may tell you, in con-
fidence, that the political situation makes
it imperative we should go on. Not only
my personal honor pledged, but the oppo-
sition Mr.. Martin, led by the Colonel, is
making itself obnoxious-yes, l may say
very obnoxious"
1.-The Colonel, sir" said I, with free
dom engendered of dining, "is BEAST
WELL" said the President, with toll
Grant smile, 1.-The Colonel, unhappily for
the country, is no true patriot. But he
Is powerful he is rich he is, under my
self alone, in command of the army. And,
moreover, | believe he stands we'll with
the Signorina. The situation, in fact,
is desperate. l must have money, Mr..
Martin. Will your directors make me
new loan"
| knew very we'll the fate that would
attend any such application. The direc-
tors were already decidedly uneasy about
their first loan; shareholders had asked
awkward questions, and the chairman had
found no small difficulty in showing that
the investment was likely to prove either
safe or remunerative. Again, only fort
night before, the government had made a
nj inn IN mn on
ject. l cabled the directors, and receiv-
ed a prompt reply in the single word,
"Tootsums," which in our code meant,
Must absolutely and finally decline to
entertain any applications | communi-
Gated the contents of the cable to Senior
Don Antonio de Ia Casabianca. the min
lister of finance, who had, of course. COM
muncated them in turn to the President.
| ventured to remind his excellency Of
these facts. lie had heard me with silent
attention.
II fear" I concluded, therefore, that
1t is impossible for me to be of any assist
ance to your excellency."
He nodded, and gave a slight sigh.
Then, with an air of closing the subject,
he said:
son. You occupy a very responsible pO-
sition here for so young man, Mr.. Mar
tin-not beyond your merits. | am sure.
They leave you pretty free hand, don't
they"
| replied that as far as routine bust
ness went l did much as seemed good in
my own eyes.
"Routins business? including invest
ments, for instance?" he asked.
YES" said l: "investments in the Or
binary course of business-discounti
bills and putting money out on loan and
mortgage over here. l place the money,
and merely notify the people at home Of
what have DONE
"A most proper confidence to repose in
you," the President was good enough to
say. "Confidence is the life of business !;
YOU must trust man. 1t would be alb
surd to make you send home the bills,
and deeds, and certificates. and what not.
OF course, they wouldn't do that"
Though this was a statement, somehow
it also sounded like question, so | an
swered:
"As a rule they do me the compliment
of taking my word. The fact is. they are.
as your excellency says, obliged to trust
somebody"
Exactly as thought. And you some
times have large sums to place"
At this point, Notwithstanding my re-
spect for the President, l began to smell
a rat.
"Oh, no. SIR" l replied, usually very
small. Our business is not so extensive
as we could wish"
"Whatever," said the President look
ing me straight in the face, "whatever
may be usual, at this moment you have a
large sum-a very respectable sum-of
money in your safe at the bank, waiting
for investment
"How do you know that?' l cried.
"Mr. Martin. 1t is no doubt my fault
am too prone to ignore etiquette but
you forget yourself"
l fastened to apologize. although l was
pretty certain the President was contem-
plating a queer transaction, if not fiat
burglary.
Ten thousand pardons. your excellen-
cy, for my most unbecoming tone, but
may ask how you became possessed of
this information:"
Zones told me-" he said. simply.
AS it would not have been polite to
express the surprise felt at Jones sim
plicty in choosing such confdant,
held my peace.