Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-30
'XI.


Mr. Mallard sole proprietor of that very
successful morning paper. the Daily Bio
graph had every reason to be pleased
with himself.
1t was the fiftieth anniversary of the
birth of the paper and the desk In
front of him was heaped high with con-
gratulatory letters and kilograms. Some
of these were unsolicited testimonials;
others had been sent in reply to a short
note stating that the paper would cele-
brate its jubilee on such-and-such date.
and asking for a brief expression Of opin-
ion on the way in which the paper was
conducted, etc, etc. But all were salts
factory. Not a single discordant note
spoilt the swelling chorus of praise. There
was an excellent reason for this una
nimity of opinion. Those who did not APP
prove of the paper or Mr.. Mallard had
made no reply at all.
Not the least satisfactory of all the
letters which had come by that morning
post was the brief communication from
the Richest Man in the World. 1t is
true that it did not contain a word of
congratulatiOn. but Mr.. Mallard read be-
tender his compliments I'm person: he had
also a business proposition to make.
Such propositions. made to a leading
newspaper by a millionaire, were usually
or q satisfactory nature Ihey involved
the payment of large sum of money for
a small and easily performed service.
Mr.. Mallard lit large cigar. and. lean
ing back in his chair. regarded the great
pile of letters and kilograms with COM
placent smile. He was small man of
about fifty. clean shaven. with dark hair
and bold Hebraic nose.
But Mr. Mallards self-satisfied express
sion on this particular morning was not
entirely due to the letters of congratula-
ton. though he looked forward with
pleasure to the extracts that would ap
pear in his paper for many days to come.
He was thinking OF the huge increase in
profits which would come to him In three
weeks time He was at present paying
30 per cent more than the market price
for his paper. In three weeks time his
contract with the Southeastern Paper
Mills. Limited, would come to an end.
The new contract would be drawn up on
a very different basis.
He was not deceived by the extraordi
nary fall i'm the price of paper. He rec
ognized that Ii was due to the fierce COM
petition between several large combines.
He foresaw the possibility OF an amalga-
nation and the raising of prices all round.
But he would get his contract settled be-
fore this took place. He would bargain
for per cent over the present price. and
even If he had to pay ~ per cent he
would save half d crown in every Sow
ereign.
At eleven-thirty Mr. Lampirthy arrived
The millionaire bowed slightly. and then
as Mr.. Mallard came forward to greet
him. he shook hands with excessive cor
duality.
'Heartjest congratulations Mr. NAL
lard" he said, genially- Fifty years
Ell? Well. you have every reason to be
pleased with yourself
II have i have" replied Mr.. Mallard
with the suspicion of a tear in his eye
There was nearly death fifteen years
ago. Please sit down. May offer you a
cigar?
Mr.. Lampirthy took the cigar lii it
carefully and leant back in armchair
II was by the merest chance that The in
terview had opened amicably. On his
way down to the office he had purchas ed
a copy of the Daily Biograph. and there
IN he had seen the account Of the jubilee
under the heading of Fifty Years of
Honest Endeavor.'
Mr. Mallard seated himself at his desk,
behind his pile of congratulations. He
picked up telegram and perused it with
a smile, waiting for Mr.. Lampirthy to
speak
II have come here today" said Mr.
Lamplrthy. after a few moments of 81
lence. both TO offer you my best wishes
for the future and to talk over little
matter of business-just between our
selves. 1t concerns others, but these
things are always settled more quickly
and pleasantly when only two do the
talking
Just so. Mr.. Lamprthy. just So.
You buy your paper from the South
eastern Paper Mills Company. Limited. l
believe and your contract expires in three
weeks time. May l ask If you think of
renewing it?'
Mr.. Mallard thrust aside all thoughts
of the great jubilee and his face became
keen and alert. He no longer smiled.
You will pardon me. Mr.. Lampirthy.
he said. but I should like to know what
interest you have in this contract"
II am the Southeast Paper Mills Com
pany."
Not a director. Think
NO, but hold most of the shares"
II see I didn't know that. Well. you
have done we'll out of us lately. We've
been paying you 20 per cent over the
market price of paper.
DO YOU wish to renew the contract
I'VE are satisfied with the stuff YOU
send u.s." said Mr. Mallard, screwing up
his eyelids so that only two mere dots of
eyes showed through the crinkled flesh.