The Alaska citizen., 1910-11-28
2ssscslss:sSs sscss scsSscss s;sG

niS NlSlt lO SudTpe "oulu Ue iiult- less. that before he could arrive at Sharpe's office that puppet would have had a telephone message from Stone: yet. his curiosity aroused, he saw the thing through. Mir. Sharpe, upon this visit, met Bobby as cold ly as the January morning when the Christmas bills come In. We don't really care for the 1 Brightlicht Electric in the combina- tion at all" said MT. Sharpe, but if you wish to come in at a yalua- tion of five hundred thousand l guess We can find a place for you
 Let me understand" said Bobby. By a valuation of five hundred thousand dollars you mean that the | Briehtlieht stockholders can ex- l change each share of their stock for one share in the Consolidated"
 Precisely" said Mir Sharpe with out a smile
 You're joking" objected Bobby, My stock in the Brightlight is worth today one hundred and fifty dollars share. My two hundred and sixty thousand dollars worth of stock in the Consolidated would not i be worth par, even, today. Why do YOU make this discrimination when YOU are giving the stockholders of the Consumers an exchange of five shares for one, and the stockholders of the United an exchange of twen- ty shares for nine?"
 We need both those companies, said Sharpe, and we do not need the Br'ghtlight."
 'Is that figure the best you will do?"
 Under the circumstances, yes
 Very well then said Bobby; good day"
 By the way, MT Burnit," Sharpe said to him with a return of the charming smile which had been con spicuously absent on this occasion we needn't consider the talk en tirely closed as yet. It might be possible that We would be able. be tween now and the first of the next month when the consolidation Is to be completed to make you a much more liberal offer to come in with us; to be one of us. in fact"
 Bobby sat down again
 How soon may I see you about it?" he asked
 "Ill let you know when things are shaped up right. By the way, MT Burnit. you are very young man vet, and just starting upon your career. Really, you ought to look about you bit and study what ad- vantages you have in the way of personal influence and following"
 II have never counted that I had a following"
 q understand that you have a very strong one" insisted Sharpe What you ought to do Is to go see M". Stone"
 "I have been to see him." replied Bobby, with a smile.
 50 I understand" said Sharpe dryly. By the way. next Tuesday am to be voted upon in the Idlers' You are on the board of governors up there. I believer"
 Yes" said Bobby steadily.
 Well come around and see me about this consolidation on Wednes- day" he suggested. "and in the Stone. By all means go and see Stone"
 Johnson" said Bobby. what would you do if a man should ask YOU to sell him your personal in- fiuence, your self-respect and your immortal soul?"
 'Td ask his price," interposed Ap- plerod with a grin.
 You'd never get an offer" snap ped Johnson to Applerod, flor you haven't any to sell Why do you ask Mir Burnit?"
 Bobby regarded him thoughtfully for moment.
 'I know how to make the Bright light Electric Company yield me two hundred per cent. dividends within year or less" he stated
 Through Stone?" inquired John son.
 Through Stone" admitted Bob- by, smiling at Johnson's penetration.
 II thought so, guess your father has summed up, better than I could put 1t, all there is to be said upon the subject" And from his indexed file he produced one of the familiar gray envelopes, inscribed: : TO MY SON ROBERT UPON THE
 SUBJECT OF BRIBERY.
 When man sells his inde-
 pendence and the faith of his
 friends he is bankrupt Both
 the taker and the giver of
 bribe, even when 1t Is called
 "preferment," are like dogs
 with fleas; the yelp in their
 sleep, only the man gets cal
 lous after while and the dog
 doesn't Whoever the fellow is
 that's trying to buy your self
 respect, go soak him in the
 eye, and pay your fine.
 For once I agree most heartily with the governor" said Bobby. and as result he did not go to see Stone. Moreover, Frank l.. Sharpe was blackballed at the Idlers' club with cheerful unanimity, and Bob by figuratively squared his should CTS to receive the blow that he was convinced must certainly fall
 VI.
 That night though rather preoccu- pied by the grave consequences that might ensue on this fat-footed defiance of Stone and his cro Td. he went to the theater with Jack Star lett and Jacks sister and mother As they seated themselves he bowed gravely across the auditorium to Agnes and Aunt Constance Elliston, who, with Uncle Dan," were enter taining young woman relative from Savannah. He did not know how the others accepted his greet ing. he only saw Agnes, and she