Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-01-29

Mr.. Seabury.
"Still, I think, sir, am entitled to hearing
l don't why you should refuse that"
Because you only boy and ought to be
sweeping out the Office and running errands instead
of wasting the time of busy men"
Joseph twinkle in the eye of tall thin
who we'll back from the long table He
learned afterward that this was Mr.. Thayer,
expert engineer and the backbone of the enterprise.
"Of course if you will not hear I must go
away but I don't think its fair If Mr.. Morton
takes the risk don't see why you should mind"
And then Mr.. Thaycr 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 at the end OF the table he felt his
courage come back He was talking stone" now
and there wasn't much about it that he didn't know.
He had spent his idle hours studying the shores,
and the property of his rivals, so that he knew the
situation perfectly. But Mr.. Seabury would not
let him alone.
ON the first place." he broke in, "a discussion
is of little use. The price is so much higher than
the other bids make it hopeless"
eyes, sir, l suppose But supply the
larger sizes and the other quarres can't"
why not:" snapped MI Seabury
Because their stone is too soft and grnds up
too much"
Mr.. Thayer nodded his approval of this statement.
Still Mr. Seabury went on
Docs it seem likely that they would bid on
stone they couldn't supply? I think may dis
miss this matter with safety, gentlemen
"They expect to buy it of US, If they get this
contract. They think we'll be slack and sell cheap
to keep the plant going.
I'D be careful how I uttered any bels il I wcrs
you young man." said M Seabury tartly.
q don't say it for certain. BIT I do say that
they can't supply coarse stones that will stand Up.
I know that and Mr. Seabury, who lives in our
town, ought to know it too"
There was little litter somewhere which made
Mr. Seabury scowL
Besides" Joseph went on, they'll be supplying
all of the rock at cost. They've get TO put in
machinery to get the stone OFT in two years, and
if they combine, they can't be sure to 90 it
then. Neither of the firms has turned I wheel
and we've been at it two years"
1t was then that M Thayer the engineer took
hand in the discussion lie piled Joseph with
questions 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 e1:lb2r-
rassment than if he had been answering about the
details of baseball game There was not dircc-
who impressed by JoscP.i's clear headed
understanding of the situation and b. his simple
drectness in telling Of it. There was even a kindly
smile than face when he grew excited
in his description OF the perfect system OF
ing and loading which they had developed, for all
the world if he explaining baseball
trick
Mr.. Seabury had shot.
There terms mentioned here. Perhaps
young friend tell something about the
length of time shall have for paynents?
Joseph felt little flush creep over his face a
flush which Mr.. Scabury thought cmbarrass-
ment. But Joseph, who had all too little time to
discuss details before the meeting made the very
answer Mr.. Morton would have madc--the easy,
evasive of business who wishes
detail to interfere with a large contract.
"Mr. Morton didn't mention that. Our terms
three months. But I guess Mr.. Morton would make
them anything reasonable"
Now Joseph had very little idea Of how TIC money
end of big transactions conducted lie knew
nothing OF and interests OF discounts and the
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 prclir1i-
nary hearing We did not require terms of the
other bidders and think it safe that Mr..
Morton will Our needs"
Mr.. Seabury shifted in disgust, and Joseph realiz-
ing that he had finished, slipped quietly He