The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-01-15
How Ben Hathaway Met
the Financial Crisis.


| Lnat mis- son, ageu seventeen nuOulu
succeed him Ia his business. Wishing,
however, that be should be properly
educated, ne sent the boy to college,
Before he left the father said to him.
"Bcn. since you nre to take my placn
In the business, wish you to choose
elective studies that viii be of benefit
to you In mercantile pursuits, such as
political economy and kindred subjects.
Since your life will be devoted to pence
full work | trust you will not spend
much time on athletics. You will have
no opportunity in business TO display
your MUSCLE"
Ben went to college; but, having more
taste for games than books, he gradu-
ated at the foot of bis class In studies
and at the head Ia athletics. He was
celebrated Ia his time as right tackle
in the football games and on several
occasions turned an ignominious defeat
into brilliant victory when he went
home his father was By no means
pleased with his sons record, but made
the most Of what he considered a fail
ure and turned the boy into his count
ing room.
1t was not long after this that the
financial panic OF 1907 came on, and
every one was scrambling for ready
cash to meet his obligations. Steven
Hathaway exerted every means to keep
the firm on its feet. but It was a long
pull and a hard pull, and before the
finish the old man was well nigh ex-
hausted.
One day Ethan Bull OF the firm OF
LYON & Bull came into the office OF
Hathaway & Co. and demanded pay
ment Of $4,000 due his drn. When
Mr.. Hathaway senior begged for time,
Bull stormed and clustered, threatening
10 put the arm intc bankruptcy II the
money was not paid within twenty
four hours. He left, saying that he
would cali the next day before bank
closing aud that II he did not receive
a check for the whole amount he
would execute his threat
THAT night the bend Of the house o.
Hathaway & 90. went home physic-
ally and mentally in collapse. Ben
went with him. put him to bed, sent
for a DOCTOR and when he came asked
him to forbid the invalid to go back TO
his Office for several weeks at least.
The doctor complied, and Ben breathed
easier.
The next morning Ben walked into
the Office and announced that he would
ill his fathers place as manager. This
did not lessen the dread with which
the Office force looked upon the situ-
alton, for the young man had never
managed any business. certainly not
IN such trying times II happened to
be the worst dag Of the money squeeze.
One hundred ana nifty per cent was
bid for money and none 70 be had
About O'clock when securities on
the stock nlarket were crumbiing and
ruin stared everybody but tramps and
beggars In the fare Mr. Bull walked
into the counting room.
He stood six feet one. weighed 200 Z
pounds and bad neck Ike lis name
sake. Ben knew well enough that his (
object had been and was to brighten I
his father Into strainihg every nerve TO
raise the means with which 10 pay his I
account The expression Of the cred (
itor's face vas like that on Japanese
images Of their god Of war.
Where's air. Ifathaway7s he asked (
IN stentorian tones.
I'm Mr.. Hathaway said Ben, rIs-
ing from his fathers desk and ad
With a pleasant smile. II sup
pose sou have called, AIR. Bull. for
your account | regret that owing to
The locking up
want Iny money" reared Bull
'and If don't getit I'll pull this house
down on your heads"
Before the last word was out Ben
mad tackled him. and in an instant he
was on the floor
"one down. said Ben.
Bull gnt up aud. with redhof blood in
Dis eyes, went for his assailant In an
1ther moment he had resumed his
place on the floor. This time his fall X
vas aggravated BY Ben's falling with
III his weight on top ct him.
Two downs! cried Hatha way jun
or, disengaging himself and jumping
ip.
Mr.. Bull took more time than before
Q get up, but when On bis feet made
rive al Ben with bis right which, had
Ben been there. would have hurt him.
waiting for second drive
Sen gave his enemy his fist ana landed
lin again "a the floor. Then, jumping
n him, he held bin down.
Three d0wnse he said.
His enemy made a few feeble at
empts TO rise. then lay still.
''see here, Mt Bull" said Ben, IF
ou'll promise TO leave this Office peace
bly, I'll les you up"
Eyes. III leave this Office" painted the
rostrate man. "and IN go straight to
~ lawyers. and this firm win have a
eceivee right off"
I'm that case YOU may get your mon
7 in few months or q few years, but
here win be another account you'll
ave to settle with me as soon as the
apers are served. I'll give you a
compared with whlch this
iii be 4 passing zephyr Get upm
Ben Jumped OF him nimhy Bull 4
rose with difficulty and. instead Of GO {
x for his enemy again. stood glazing
Dr. moment at the Office force look
u on, then turned and went out, {
aiming the deor bebiud him. 2
Whether AIR Bull disllked the pros {
ect of another settlement or concluded
e had better wait for his money we
D not know. bat he did not press his