The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-03-22
The Me,p 500, 600 Policy

SSid, I'm going to take run down
to-. New York for a day or so. You
watch out at the Office until I get
back. Nothing special doing here, but
something may come up. Address me
at the Grand hotel until further no.
tice.' Thus spoke Col. Jack Cheney
to his friend and associate, Sidney
Guthrie, one bright warm morning in
June.
What is it, colonel? A business
trip or just desire to have look at
old Broadway"
Both, Sid, both. Chicago is a little
dead now. I've put in pretty hard
winter and spring, and now l think
III take a rest for few days. OF
course I'll look in the office several
times while I'm there"
"All right, Jack Wen try to get
along without you for awhile. Have
good time and come back when
you're rested"
Jeff, the ebon-hued faithful servitor,
was told to get the coloneps bag
ready. Sometimes when away on
trips Col. Cheney took Jeff along as
would do so this time. but the colonel
said:
No, Jeff, not this trip. Next time
maybe. I'm just going to loaf for
awhile in New York and vicinity, and
l want to get away from every one'
"Ah'm dl efful sorry to see you 60,
kunnel, but Ah'u try an survive"
"Oh, l guess you'll get along all
right. Mr.. Guthrie will probably keep
you busy"
Oats jess it, kunnel. Mistah Guth-
rie. do keep me pow'ful busy: mon you
do"
well, jeff. I've noticed you're get
ting trifle fat and little extra work
won't hurt you Get out, you rascal!'
"Yas, sab. Huh. huh" chuckled
Jeff, as he went out Jeff once said
He always noticed Kunnel Cheney
only abuse dose he loved. Wen he
was pow'ful perlite ter anyone hit
meant dar was gwine to be se'yus
,truble."
The Lake Shore Limited that even
ing carried Cheney eastward, and he
gave himself up to complete relaxa-
ton. He was tired. brain tagged, and
wanted little surcease. He buried
himself in a light novel and just laid
off. At six the next night he landed
in New York. At the Grand hotel he
met several chance acquaintances
After supper he wandered up to the
Casino. Some light fantastic musical
comedy was playing there, and Che
'ney really enjoyed it. Between the
acts he strolled out in the foyer and
was enjoying quiet smoke when he
heard a voice say:
by Jove, it can't be. Moves it
lis Hello, Col. Cheney, how are you?"
The colonel turned, and there stood
Mr.. Darius P. King, president of one
of the great life insurance companies.
Cheney knew him well, had done a
great deal of delicate and intricate
work for his company, and Mr. King
had a profound liking for Cheney as a
detective and as soldier, but above
frequently when either came to Chi
cago or New York, and as Mr.. King
was wealthy mencumbered wild
over, Cheney was more than glad to
see him. A cordial handshake and
he said:
why, am glad to see you, King,
more than glad"
What brings you east this time?"
Nothing, King, absolutely nothing"
Nothing! Well, by Jove, this is
the first time I've ever known you to
he doing nothing"
well, you see, | got little tired
out, wanted to get away, and here
am for a few days rest"
New York's a good place to rest"
The commencement of the second
act interrupted the conversation, but
after the theater the two men went to
a restaurant, had quiet little sup.
per and heart to heart talk. It was
1880 when they parted, and Cheney
was to lunch with King at 1890 the
next day. Come down earlier than
$780, said King, land stay as late
as you like. My Office is good place
to loaf"
1--WE never seen any loafing there"
laughed Cheney, remembering that
King was called ''the stiletto," on &C.
count of his incisive manner and &C.
tons. Good night. old man."
Good night, colonel"
About noon the next day Cheney
.strolled into the stately marble pile
ON lower Broadway, known as thu
home Office of Kings life insurance
company. 1t was like getting up to
royalty to- reach the head of one of
these great financial institutions. but
Col. Cheney's card was an omen
sesame, and in few minutes he was
comfortably fixed in Kings palatia]
ohice. Mr.. King was seated behind
Ills desk, on which were papers
& checks and what not. All about was
= seeming confusion, but the president
knew. every paper, every item.
Anything new. King?" asked Che
/ ney, lighting fragrant cigar.
No." answered King, holding a q
package OF papers and check in his
4 hand. He looked intently at the pa
pers. studied a minute, then raisine
his eyes, he said:
Cheney, here's a peculiar case
I've heard you speak of lunches !
remember your man Guthrie has had
s several successful ones. I've got one
III r&6]at NOV have had >. # ovnv .asncI