The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-08-29
HRNekER.

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"Mr. Gardener Is good odvtser-ses
htmr'
Of the iron grating and held 1t open,
pointing to a chair in front of the fire.
Mr.. Gardener was short and round.
with swarthy, full blooded cheeks.
Evidently he was some sort Of for
eigner, but I could not place him
among the types Of men knew.
"What do you want Of me?" he de-
manded briskly.
"Oh, just q lot Of money, first and
lastv' laughed.
This announcement didn't seem to
trouble him. He waited for an expla.
nation. And, remembering that was
to look to him for advice as we'll as
cash. proceeded to explain briefly
He listened without comment.
"Finally," said rather YEARLY, "just
now, when I am in deep water with
this railroad and all the rest and the
banks calling my loans, some fellows
are selling their Meat Products stock.
1t will all go to my enemies, to Strauss
and his crowd. and shall find myself
presently kicked out of the company.
I suppose it's Mr.. Grounds stock that's
coming on the market. It's like him to
sell when prices are going down."
The little old fellow shook his head.
ut is not Mr.. Grounds stock" he
said. Most Of that is over there" He
nodded his head In the direction of a
small safe (which stood In one corner
Of the room.
"How did you get itT exclaimed
In my establishment, jumping to my
feet.
''Never mind how. We have had 1t
three months" he replied, with a smile.
"You need not fear that it will come
on the market just now"
My heart gave a great bound up
ward. With this block Of stock locked
up could do what I would with Meat
Products. Strauss could never put his
hands on it. Jane Dround must have
worked this stroke, but how she did it
was a mystery. walked back and
forth in my excitement and when
sat down once more Mr.. Gardener be-
gan little summary OF my situation:
"You are engaged in many ventures.
Some are strong" He named all the
good ones as IL he were quoting from
q carefully drawn report. "Some are
weak" He named the others. "Now,
you are trying to hold the weak with
the strong. 1t is like carrying a basket
Of eggs on your head. All goes we'll
until some one runs against you. Then
bum, biff-you have the beginning of
an omelet."
His way of putting 1t made me laugh.
"And the omelet is about ready to
cook in an hour or two!" I added.
Eve shall see presently. You want to
sell out this packing business some
day. eh? To Strauss? You take big
chances. You are a new man. They
suspect you. They call your loans.
They think you are thin in the waist?
You have to borrow a great deal Of
money and pay high for it?"
''You have sized me up. Mr.. Car
boner."
"And after you have sold to Strauss
there will be railroads.&c., that Is more
difficult! And then many other things
always ventures. risks. schemes. plans,
great plans! But you are very bold"
'Well. what will you do for me"
asked bluntly.
Il think we can carry you over this
river. Mr.. Harrington" he replied. look
ing at me with very am.able air. as
II he were my schoolmas.er and had
decided to give me holiday and some
spending money. Who made up the
1--WE" in this firm Of Rip Van Wrinkle
bankers? Gardener seemed to divine
my doubts for he smiled a. he reached
for pad Of paper and began to write
In a close. Grabbed hand.
"Take that to Mr.. Bates" he directed.
"You know him. eh:''
Did know Orlando Bates? II had
been to him once at the Tenth Nation
al, Of which he was president, I had
been to him fifty times. with varying
results. knew every wrinkle In his
parchment covered face.
''He viii give you what you want"
the old man added.
I still hesitated. holding Gardeners
scrawl in my hand.
"You think 1t no good:" He motion
ed to the sheet OF coarse paper. Try
itr'
Don't You want q receipty' I STAN
mered
what for? Do you think am a
pawnbroker?'
The mystery grew. Suppose I should
take this old fellows scrawl over to
Orlando Bates and the president OF
the Tenth National should ask me what
1t meant.
1T Is good" Gardener said impress
txalv.