The San Francisco call., 1906-04-01
Ma1SNNA

ours. And may also add-and in this,
gentlemen, 1 am sure 1 but voice your
heartiest sentiments" deferring TO his
companions, ''in forming business re-
lations with US, Mr.. Waldron, also be-
comes one of US socially, and trust"
smiling benignantly upon the young
man, he will not decide hastily, but
will give the matter further and very
serious consideration"
Thank you. gentiemen-thank you!"
replied Waldron, regarding the men
with something OF amused pity and con-
tempt Il could not possibly consider
your proposition for two reasons-the
first annuls the second, and the second
you would hardy comprehend"
We have fairly good understand
iEg of tne commonplaces, Mr. Waldron,
and dare say we shall be able TO grasp
your meaning" replied Mr.. Burrows,
gravely sarcastic.
When, then. the first, because agree
with Mr.. Morrison perfectly have too
good possibility in my hand to drop
for several In the bush. You doubtless
understand that without difnculty. Mr..
Burrows. AS said before. the first an
nuls the second Know then, that as-
ISOLATED with me in this enterprise are
men Of the mountains, rough fellows
all, but true as steel. These men have
intrusted their all to me with implicit
confidence that I will look after their
interests to the best OF my ability and
this, gentlemen. will be the anomaly TO
you-your combined wealth doubled
and trebled would be no inducement for
me to make one move that I did not
honestly believe was for the best In
terests OF all concerned. Your gold
would not repay me for betrayfng their
confidence i take no credit to myself
/ don't know any other way to
figure the general problem. I sim
ply don't know how to hold
gold at higher value than
fee that. then shall I consider myself
! your equal and prepared to listen to
your glittering schemes of business.
your suave Establishments for social
distinction, drink your wines and rate
myself a bully good fellow according to
your peculiar standards. Gentlemen, /
consider your propositions not only an
insult to me as a man. but an exceed
ingly small and cheap estimate upon
my business perspicacity. The former
/ might overlook, considering the
source, but the latter is far too grave
an offense to be lightly condoned," he
told them, with grim humor that ac-
corded well with the equally grim sar-
casm OF his words.
Altogether the gentlemen had re-
ceived a mosp uncomfortable shock as
they realized the utter futility Of at
tempting to work their influence over
The man who compelled not only a GER
tain respect for himself as a man, but
feelings akin to fear by the power he
held over them
''W-h-o-o-p! W-h-o-o-pr' suddenly
rang out two blood-eurdling yells.
which seemed to cause the walls and
ceiling to vibrate and give back an
other. and yet another of their kind
creating no little dismay among the
occupants of the room. who were thus
rudely made aware of the presence OF
two very animated specimens of West
ern life and vigor. Dave and Joe had
entered the Office unobserved, and the
concluding remarks OF their young
friend struck a responsive chord in
their robust bosoms. TO which they
gave prompt and informal expression.
Solemn enough to lie corpsesl Don't
see as they look no different from any
dead men as come to life and sorry
they did," said Joe, scanning the gen
tlemen curiously with his sharp eyes.
Il reckon, Mister Bill, seein' as how
they've finished their business they're
about ready to go down the hist" said
Dave, with suggestive emphasis. which
query the gentlemen answered for
themselves by making as hasty an exit
as their dignity-or what remained of
the superabundance they brought with
them-would permit. All except Mr..
Chadeller, who throughout the inter-
view had maintained discreet silence,
seemingly not vitality interested in the
particular matter under discussion
Il feel, Mr.. Waldron, that / owe you
an apology" he said. not without en-
barrassment, as he advanced toward
that gentleman, not quite sure Of his re-
ception. L was not aware
You have business with me, Mr..
courteousIy.
YES. The fact is, 1 am also short
small amount of your stock. L do not
feel that / am entitled to any cour-
teSies at your hands. ! can only hope
that you will feel inclined to accord me
the consideration of one business man
to another. 1t is only fair TO. myself to
say, however, that my connection with
this affair is entirely apart from the
gentlemen with whom you have been
dealing. Nor have 1 been connected
with any previous transactions in the
stock / merely took fiier this morn
ing at the suggestion of Mr. Burrows
and Immediately found myself IN
trouble-the result OF following the
advice of friend and going outside OF
ones own specialties."
Very well, Mr.. Chadeller, will in
struct my brokers to settle with you at
the market, which 1 trust will be satis-
factory"
Entirely so, and I thank you for the
consideration. 1 trust there are no hard
feelings between MS, Mr.. Waldron?'
None, Mr.. Chadeller.' briefly replied
the other, resuning his chair
II hope we shall see more Of you in
the future. 1 knew your father well and
entertained a very great respect for
him
Pardon me. Mr.. Chadeller.' said Wal
dron, turning In his chair. and regarding
the other fxedly for a moment, II am
precisely the same man today as last
evening. and upon one other occasion
when we chanced to meet. You were
pleased to place your stamp Of disap-
proval upon me as a man. By that stan
dard 1 prefer to be judged rather than
by any former position which may or
may not have been mine. The privilege
was yours-I abide your decision. Our
relations are purely business and, be-
lieve-concluded."
Good-day, thus invited. was promptly
offered and echoed
Pears to me good wallopin wouldn't
do him no more harm than the rest Of
'em-you let that feller or purity easy.