Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1906-10-19
sacn nold.up methods. =

dealing with was my answer. These
fellows are trying to push me of the
hfe raft fight with every weapon
can lay hands on. And know as well
as you do that, II you get into serious
trouble. through this loan, at least five
men we could both name would have
to step in and save the bank and cover
up the scandal. You'll blackmail
them, just as you've blackmailed them
before, and they you. Blackmairs a
legitimate part Of the game. Nobody
appreciates that better than YOU" II
was no time for the SNUG hypocrisies
under which We people down town
usually conduct our business-iust
as the desperadoes used to patrol the
highways disguised as peaceful mer.
chants.
Send round in the morning and get
the money" said he, putting on a re-
signed, hopeless look.
] laughed. I'll feel easier II take
1t now" | replied. We'll fix up the
notes and checks at once"
He Redeemed, but after a brief hest.
tation busted himself. When the
papers were all made up and signed,
and had the certified checks in my
pocket ] said: Wait here, Bob. un.
I'll the National Industrial people call
you up. III ask them to do il, so they
can get your personal assurance that
everything's all right And I'll stop
there until they tell me they've talked
With YOU" 6, ca ls.... ,....-,------
But it's too late" he said. You
can't deposit today"
1--WE made special arrangements
with them" replied.
His face betrayed him. saw that
at no stage Of that proceeding had
been wiser than in shutting of his
last chance to evade. What scheme
he had in mind | don't know, and can't
Imagine. But he had thought out
something, probably something fool.
ish that would have given me trouble
without saving him. A foolish man
In a tight place is as foolish as ever,
and Corey was foolish man-only a
fool commits crimes that put him IN
the power OF others. The crimes OF
the really big captains OF industry and
generals of finance are OF the kind
that puts others in their power.
Buck up, Corey" said |. DO you
think I'm the man to shut a friend in
the hold of a sinking ship? Tell me,
who told you was short on textile?"
One of my men," he slowly replied,
as ne braced himself together.
Which one? Who?" persisted.
For ] wanted to know Just how far
the news was likely to spread.
He seemed to be thinking out a lie.
The truth" | commanded. 81
know 1t couldn't have been one Of
your men. Who was it? III not give
you away"
1t was Tom. Langdon," he finally
said.
checked an exclamation of amuse
ment. ! had been assuming that |
had been betrayed by some one of
those tiny mischances that so often
throw the best plans into confusion.
Tom Langdon," ! said satirically.
1T was he that warned you against
me?" z
1T was friendly act" said Corey.
He and / are very intimate. And he
doesn't know how close you and |
are"
Suggested that you call my loans,
did he?' ! went on.
You mustn't blame him, Blackjack:
really you mustn't said Corey ear.
nestly, for he was a pretty good friend
TO those he liked, as friendship goes
in finance. He happened to hear.
You know the Langdons keep a SHARP
watch on operations in their stock
And he dropped in TO warn me as
friend. You'd do the same thing in
the same circumstances. He didn't
say a word about my calling your
loans. Ito be frank instantly
thought of 1t myself. / intended to do
It when you came, but"-a sickly
smile-"you anticipated me-"
Il understand" said | good.hu.
moredly. q don't blame him" And !
didn't then.
After | had completed my business
at the National Industrial, | went back
to my Office and gathered together the
threads Of my web Of defense. Then
wrote and sent out to all my news
papers and all my agents a broadside
against the management Of the textile
trust-it would be published in the
morning, in good time for the opening
OF the stock exchange. Before the
frst quotation Of textile could be made
thousands on thousands Of investors
and spectators throughout the coun.
try would have read my letter, would
be believing that Matthew Blackjack
had detected the textile trust in a
stock-jobbing swindle, and had
promptly turned against It, preferrins
to keep faith with his customers and
with the public. AS | read over my
pronunciamiento aloud before sending
1t out found in II q note Of conn.
dence that cheered me nightly. I'm
even stronger than l thought" said
/. And / felt stronger still as I went
on to picture the thousands on thou.