Middletown transcript., 1910-03-26

BY WILLIAM HAMILTON OSBORNE


stFolled over 10 bllly WAtAAnSOu :
conservative little plant. There
was very little doing at Billy $
plant. It was generally running
on something less than half time
and barely made expenses for its
trouble.
Billy, said Broderson, ! want
two hundred and fifty thousand
gun barrels and want 'em right
away; and, besides, he added, ]
won't EN- cheap. You see ?
Whom do you want 'em for
queried Billy, agape with aston
ishment.
Broderson glanced sharply al
his questioner. / want EN- tol
the United States government
he answered. Ticking o bit OF dus'
from his coat as he did so; fol
Uncle Sam. But, protested Viii
kinson, Stacy-smith have go
the contract.
I know they have, returned
Broderson, but that's none O
your business and none OF mine
If Stacy.Smith want to farm ou'
this contract among half dozer
people, all 0. <.
wilkinson glanced at him II
surprise. But, he protested,
can't furnish gun barrels at Stacy
Smiths price.
What have you got to do witt
thatS queried Broderson. i
Stacy.Smith are willing to take 8
big contract on their shoulders
for the sake Of the ad. that's VI
to them. Give me your price
and your lowest price at that, tol
two hundred and fifty thousand
barrels, and do it right away.
wilkinson gave it to him.
Good enough, returned Broder
son. Now, all that you have tc
do is to sign this contract with
me. The why's and wherefores
needn't bother us. He stopped
suddenly. By the way, he asked
can you handle such a contract
Or is it too big?
wilkinson shook his head.
Give me twenty.four hours to
make arrangements, and I'll sign
II for you then.
He started of for the banks
but retraced his steps. He went
direct to Peter V. Codington and
exhibited the contract.
Thunderstion |! exclaimed Cod
ington, in surprise, is this thing
realP He read it over. His eyes
bulged out. It seemed impossi
BILE to him that Billy Wilkinson
the failure, could be in such de
mand. I'm going home, sale
Codington, with tone distinctly
respectful and conciliating. Come
MP to dinner and talk it over.
Annabel met them at the door
Our ship is coming in, grille, said
wilkinson enthusiastically. Ant
even Peter v. nodded encourag
inRly. The three Of them discuss
ed itat supper. Billy laid befor'
him all his plans.
/ can get this money at tn,
banks, Mr.. Codington, Billy ex
planned, but you we're so good
thought I'd talk it over first will
you.
They talked it over later, alon
in the library, through the smok
Of q couple Of very good cigars.
I'll let you have what cash yoI
need, finally announced Peter V
He did, on terms. When Bill,
Wilkinson left the library tina
night and walked into the out
stretched arms of Annabel, b
had done three things. He ha'
arranged for the money witt
which to carry the big contract
he had agreed in writing to divid
his profits with Peter V. Cooling
ton, and be had been uncomprc
misingly accepted as the pros
pecttive son.in-law of Codington
But, he announced to Annabe
your fathers going to put q
thousands, and III sell my shin
TO put this contract through
The ring willhave to wait, that
oil.
For months Billy Wilkinso
worked as he had never worke
before. He saw Annnabel onl
on Sundays. If she wante
any more Of his time she had t
come down to the shop, and SD
and her father went there man
times. Their motives we're tn
same, Annabel had her private in
terest there, and Codington ha
. few Of bis precious thousand
there, bound up in the machin
called wilkinson.
And they were there on tina
eventful afternoon, months later
when the last barrel had bee
polished, the last penny earned