Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-10-19
CHAPTER u.-(Continued.)

~ Lite iSSeHt SdicS Oh your TedI pEopcEl
In this country ~(sales, due, I fear, to
want of confidence in my administration
you have at this moment a sum of $500
600 In the bank safe. Now (don't inter
rupt me, please) the experience of a bus
life teaches me that commercial reputa
ton and probity depend OF results, no
on methods. Your directors have a pre-
JUDGE against me and my government
That p~rejudices you, with your superio
opportunities for judgment, cannot share
You will serve your employers hsst b.
doing for them what they haven't tn
sense and courage to do for themselves
propose that you should assume the re
sponsibility of lending me this money. TIL
transaction will rebound to the profit o
the bank. 1t shall also" he added, slow
ly, rebound to your profit"
1 began to see my way. But there wer'
difficulties.
What am / to tell the directorsT"
asked.
you will make the usual return o.
Investments and debts outstanding-mort
gages-loans o approved security-but
you know better han I do"
False returns, your excellency means?'
"They will no doubt be formally mac,
c%urate," the President admitted.
What If they ask for proofs?" said I,
Sufficient unto the day." said the
President.
You have rather surprised me, sir" I
said, but l am most anxious to oblige
you. and to forward the welfare of Au-
reataland. There are, however, two points
which occur to me. First, how am l to
be insured against not getting my inter
est? That I must have"
Quite So" he interrupted. "And the
second point I can anticipate. 1t Is,
what token Of my gratitude for your time
~ assistance can / prevail on you to &C
cept?'
Your ercellency's knowledge of human
nature Is surprising"
Kindly give me your attention, Mr..
Martin, and I will try to satisfy both
your very reasonable requirements. You
have 100000; those you will hand over
to me, receiving in return government 6
per cent bonds for that amount. I will
then hand back to you $4,000; $4,000
you will retain as security for your in
forest; In the event Of any failure or the
part OF Aureataland to meet her obliga-
tons honorably, you will pay the inter
est on the whole 100000 out of that
sum. That secures you for more than
two years against absolute failure Of in
%terest, which In reality you need not fear.
TIL the money Is wanted, you will have
the use of it. The remaining $4,000 I
shall beg of you to accept as your COM
mission, or rather as a token Of my es-
TEEN. $4,000 absolutely-$45,OOO as
long as the Aureataland pays interest!
You must admit l deal with you as one
gentleman with another, Mr.. Martin. In
the result, our directors get their inter
I get my loan, you get your bonus.
We are all benefited, no one Is hurt! All
this IL effected at the cost Of a harmless
stratagem."
I WAS full Of admiration. The scheme
was very neat, and, as far as the Prosi.
dent and myself were concerned, he had
been no more than just In pointing out
Its advantages. As for the directors, they
would probably get their interest; any
how, they would get 1t for two years.
There was risk, Of course; a demand for
evidence OF my alleged investments or a
sudden order to realize a heavy sum at
abort notice would bring the house about
my ears. But I did not anticipate this.
well, Mr.. Martin" said the President,
"do you aEree?"
still. hesitated. The President rose
and put his hand on my shoulder.
Better say yes. I might take it, you
know, and cause you to disappear-be-
lisvs me, with reluctance. Mr.. Martin. It
h true I shouldn't like this course. It
would perhaps make my position here un-
tenable. But not having the money would
certainly make 1t ~untenAble."
I saw the force Of this argument, and
said:
II can refuse your excellency nothing"
'.Then take your hat and come along
- the bank" said he.
This was sharp work.
your excellency does not mean to take
TIE money now-to-night?" I exclaimed.
mot to take, Mr.. Martin-to receive it
from you. We have made our bargain.
What is the objection to carrying 1t out
promptly
But I must have the bonds. They
must be prepared, sir"
They are here" he said, taking a
bundle from the drawer of a writing ia
bic. 100000 6 per cent stock, signed
by uyself, and countersigned by Don An
tonic. Take your hat and come along,
I did As I was bid.