The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-07-26
Copyright 1901 by Harper {, Rrother, =
By VAUGHAN KEsTER

l sell won't lose much. The price Of
fered will Just about meet the mort
gage I hold, but l guess the stock.
holders will come out at the little end
of the horn"
Oakley understood exactly what was
ahead of the stockholders if the road
changed hands. Perhaps his face
showed that he was thinking of this,
for the general observed charitably:
Its unfortunate, but you can't mix
sentiment in a transaction of this sort.
I'd like to see them all get their money
back, and more too''
His mental attitude toward the
world Was one of generous liberality,
but he had such excellent control over
his impulses that, while he always
seemed about to embark in some large
philanthropy he had never been known
to take even the first step in that di-
rection. In Short he was hard and un-
emotional, but with a deceptive, un-
swerving kindness of manner which,
while it had probably never involved
a dollar of his riches, had at divers
times cost the unwary and the indis-
Greet much money.
II am sure the road could he put OIL
a paying basis said Oakley Certain
quite possible economics would do that.
OF course we can't create business;
there is just SO much of it, and we get
it all as it is. But the shops might be
made very profitable l have secured
a good deal of work for them and
shall secure more had intended to
propose a number of reforms, but ii
you are going to sell, why. there's no
use of going into the natter He
paused.
The general meditated in silence for
a moment.
I'D hate to sacrifice my interests if
thought you could even make the
road pay expenses. Now, just what do
you intend to do?''
TN get my order book and show you
what's been done for the shops,'' said
Oakley, rising with alacrity. II have
figured out the changes, too. and you
can see at glance just what pro
pose doing"
The road and the shops employed
some 800 men. most of whom had their
homes in Antioch. Oakley knew that
if the property was sold it would prac-
tically wipe the town out of existence.
The situation was full of interest for
him. II Cornish approved and told
him to go ahead with his reforms, it
would be an opportunity such as he
had never known.
He went into his own room, which
openedsoff Cornish's, and got his order
book and table of figures, which he had
carried up from the Office that after
noon
He had taken great deal of pains
with his figures, and they seemed to
satisfy Cornish that the road If prop
erly managed was not such hopeless
proposition after all. Something might
be done with it.
Oakley rose in his good esteem. He
had liked him, and he was justifying
his good opinion. He beamed benev-
olently on the young man and thawed
ial, ponderous frankness.
"You have done we'll" he said, glanc-
ing through the order book, with evident
satisfaction.
"Of course" explained Oakley, Il am
going to make a cut i'll wages this
spring Ii you agree to it. but l haven't
the figures for this yet" The general
nodded He approved of cuts on prin-
ciple
That's always a wise move," he
said "Will they stand it?'
They'll have to-" And Oakley laugh
ed rather nervously. He appreciated
that his reforms We're likely to make
him very unpopular in Antioch. ''They
shouldn't object. If the road changes
hands 1t will kill their town."
II suppose so," agreed Cornish indif.
ferently.
"And half loaf is lots better than
no bread" added Oakley Again the
general nodded his approval.
"NNhat sort of shape is the shop in ~
he asked after Il moments silence.
Very good OH the whole"
81 am glad to hear you say so. i
spent over hundred thousand dollars
on the plant originally"
"Of course the equipment can hardly
be called modern, but it will do for the
sort of work for which am bidding"
Oakley explained.
We'll, it will be an interesting prob
lem for Il young man, Oakley. If you
pull the property up it will be greatly
to your credit. was going to offer
you another position, but we will let
that go over for the present. am
very much pleased, though, with all
you have done; very much pleased
! indeed. go abroad in@about two
weeks. My youngest daughter is to be
married in London to the Earl of Min
chester" The title rolled glibly from
the great mans lips. $50 you'll have