The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-01-24
How Ben Hathaway Met
the Financial Crisis.
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Of Hathaway 4 Co. Importers, desired
that hts son, aged seventeen, should
succeed him IN his business, Wishing.
however. thar he should bc properly
educated, he sent tho boy TO college,
Before he left the father said to him!
"Bcu, since you are to take my place
In the business, wish you TO choose
elective studies that will be OF benefit
to you In mercantile pursuits, such al
political economy and kindred subjects
Since your life will be devoted 10 peace
ful work trust you win not spend
much tlfso 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-
atei at the foot OF his class In studies
and ut tho head In athletics, lilo was
celebrated In his time ~ right tackle
In the football games and on several
occasions turned m ignominious defeat
Into brilliant victory. When no went
home his father was by no means
pleased with his sons record, but made
| the most OF what he considered fail
ure and turned tho boy Into his count
Ing room,
IL was not long after this that the
financial panic OF 1907 came on. aud
every one was scramhllng for ready
cash to meet his obligations, Steven
Hathaway cxerted every means to keep
the firm on It's feet. but Il was long
null and hard pull. and before tht
| finish the old man was well nigh eS
hausted.
One day Ethan Bull OF the firm OF
Lyon & Bull came into the office oi
Hathaway 4 co. and demanded pay
ment OF $4,000 due his firm, Whea
Mr.. Hathaway senior begged for time,
Bull stormed and clustered. threatening
10 put the firm into bankruptcy II the
money was not paid within twenty
four hours, He left. saying that he
would call the next day before banl
closing and that II he did not receive
check for the whole amount he
would execute his threat.
That night the head OF the house oi
Hathaway 4 Co. went home physic-
ally and mentally In collapse. Ben
went with him. put him TO bed. SEM
for doctor, and when he came asked
him to forbid the invalid 10 80 back 10
his Office for several weeks nj least.
The doctor complied. and Ben breaihed
| easier.
The next morning Ben walked inte
! the office and announced that he would
all bis fathers place as manager This
did not lessen the dread with which
T! the Office force looked upon the situ.
alton. for the young man had never
managed any business. certainly not
In such trying times. 1t happened 10
be the worst day OF the money squeeze
One hundred and tifty per cent was
bid for money, and none TO be had
About 2 o'clock, when securities on
the stock market were crumbllng nnc
ruin stared everybody but tramps and
beggars In the face. Mr. Bull walked
into the counting room.
He stood six feet one. weighed 20c
pounds and had neck like his name.
sake. Ben knew well enough that bis
object had been and was 10 frighteT
his father into stralnlng every nerve to
raise the means with which TO pay his
account. The expression Of the cred
itor's face was like that on Japanese
images of their god OF war.
"Where's Mr.. Hathaway" no asked
In stentorian tones.
| "Pm Mr.. Hathaway" said Ben. rls
Ing from his fathers desk and nd
vancing. with pleasant smile. II sup.
pose you have called. Mr.. Bull. for
your account. regret that owing to
the locking up
Il want my money" roared Bull,
"and II don't get 1t III pull this house
| down on your heads"
! Before the last word was out Ben
had tackled him, and In an instant he
| was on the floor.
| zone down!" said Ben
4 Bull got up and, with redhot blood In
his eyes, went for his assailant. In an
other moment he had resumed his
place on the floor. This time his fall
was aggravated by Ben's falling with
all his weight on top Of him. a
4 Two downsw cried Hathaway jun
Tor, disengaging himself and jumping
up.
Mr.. Bull took more time than before
to get up, but when on his feet made .
drive at Ben with bis right which. had
Ben been there, would have hurt him
Without waiting for a second drive
Ben gave his enemy his fist and landed
him again on the floor. Then, jumping
on him, he held him down.
"Three downsW he said.
His enemy made a few feeble at.
tempts to rise, then lay still.
"See here, Mr.. Bull" said Ben, "if
you'll promise to leave this Office peace
ably I'll let you up
Eyes, III leave this Office" painted the
PROSTATE man, "and III go straight to
| my lawyers, and this firm will have a
receiver right Off"
"In that case you may get your mon
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