Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-11-05

been carried and so great was his distrust Of Mr.
morton PIT tra h nc N baCaTee ~ ytst I'D
been said the day before.
conduct negotiations with you"
Il have my authority and bids here Joseph an
swered M Morton was prevented from coming
Mr. Seabury took the papers but he did not yield
4 feel sure that it will be the sense OF this meet
ing to make agreements with boy. If there is
nobody but you to take Mr.. Mortons place in case
OF accident or illness, contract with the company
would be too risky"
Joseph felt a hot anger mount to his cheeks, He
saw why Mr. Seabury was nettled. and he had hard
resentment The other directors were impatient OF
the delay .,,;u =. 49,. o..
investigate any assurances may make but didn't
understand any contract was to be made to-day
It's waste of time, and we are busy snapped
"st. I think sir, am entitled to a hearing,
don't ont see why you should refuse that :.
sweeping out the Office and running errands instead
of wasting the time of busy men
who sat we'll back from the long table. He learned
afterward that this Mr. Thaycr, an expert engi-
neer and the backbone Of the enterprise
away, but don't think its fair. II Mr. Morton
And then Nj Thayer spoke up.
That sounds reasonable enough. I think any
other course would be irregular"
And Joseph got his hearing, From the moment
he took his seat at the end OF the table he felt his
courage come back. He talking stone" now,
and there wasn't much about it that he didn't know.
He had spent his idle hours studying the shores,
aud the property of his rivals. so that he knew the
situation perfectly But Mr.. Seabury would not let
IN the first place" he broke in. "a discussion is
of little The price IS much higher than the
other bids as to make it hopeless"
YES sir suppose 50 But we can supply the
Why not?" snapped Mr.. Scabury.
Because their stone is too soft and grinds up too
Mr.. Thayer nodded his approval OF this state
SIN " c,,h,.--. ,,-,. 80
Does it seem likely that they would bid on a
stone they couldn't supply? l think we may dis
miss this matter with safety, gentlemen"
They expect to buy it OF US, if they get this
tract They think We'll be slack and sell cheap to
I'D be careful how 7 uttered any rbels if I were
you. young man, said Mr.. SeabuTy tartly.
Il don't say it for certain. But 1 do say that
they can't supply coarse stones that will stand up
l know that and Mr.. Seabury, who lives in our town
ought to know it. too.
There was little litter somewhere which made
Besides Joseph went on, they'll be supplying
machinery to get the stone out in two years, and
even if they combine. they can't be sure to do it
then. Neither of the firms has ever turned wheel
and we've been at it two years"
It was then that Mr.. Thayer the engineer took a
hand in the discussion. He Piled Joseph with ques-
tons about the quality of the rock, the cost OF
transporting it, the probable weekly deliveries and
the proportion of coarse and fine stone that would
pack the best He found that Joseph knew every
detail Nor did Joseph feel any more embarrass-
man II ne Iu peeh L 1877 d {ne te
who was not impressed by Josephs clear-headed
IN Ut the ;.tua6n and by ms 5nPe
smile on more than one face when ne grew excited
in his description Of che perfect system OF measur-
ing and loading which they had developed, for all
the world as If he were explaining a new baseball
trick.
Mr.. Seabury had one more shot
There are terms mentioned here. Perhaps
our young friend tell something about the
length of time we shall have for payments"
Joseph felt little flush creep his face, a
flush which Mr.. Seabury thought VISA embarrass-
D. -I.IL TN "a
to discuss details before the meeting made the very
answer Mr. Morton would have made-the easy.
one detail to interfere with large contract
, Mr. Morton didn't mention that Our terms are
three months. But guess Mr.. Morton would make
them anything reasonable"
Now Joseph had very little idea of how the money
end OF big Transactions was conducted He knew
financing of big enterprises. And when Mr.. Sea
bury caught up this trail he felt his first fear come
back to him Mr. Thayer saved him
This discussion seems out of place at prelin1-
mary hearing. We did not require terms OF the
other bidders, and I think it safe to that
Mr. Morton will meet our needs"
Mr.. Seabury shifted in disgust, and Joseph real
izing that he had finished slipped quietly out. He
was waiting for the elevator his heart still thump-
ing, when hand was laid his shoulder. 1t was
Il should like to have you lunch with me to-day
at the club | am an old friend Of Mortons
more than the directors meeting He felt strange
~ out of place, and very much loss as to what
But Mr. Thayer put him his ease He led the
talk back to "stone" and the works and then he
raised Joseph to the seventh heaven of happiness
I may as well tell you after ALL that we decided
to take your offer I think you are entitled to
know. Mr.. Seabury fought it. but he voted alone"
And he lives in our town. exclaimed Joseph
Yes. He didnt seem to like your coming down
in Morton's place. What's the matter?"
Il am not starting right to his way of thinking
I ought to have walked to New York with nv
clothes in bundle, guess. He thinks cannot
succeed"
Mr.. Thayers eyes twnkled
All, but you will, if you keep at it,
And that very afternoon when Joseph was hur-
lying back to the country with his good news Mr..