Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-11

far had his hobby of orthodox business progress
been carried and so great his dstrust of Mr..
Morton's type, that he found it possible to believe
this joke, put up by Norton because of what had
Il am sorry" he said tartly, ''but I don't think
we can conduct our negotiations with you"
Il have my authority and bids here, Joseph
swered. "Mr. Morton was prevented from coming
by an accident last evening"
Mr.. Seabury took the papers but he did not yield.
Il feel that it will be the sense of this meet
ing to make agreements with boy. If there is
nobody but you to take Mr.. Morton's place in
of accident illness, contract with the company
would be too risky"
Joseph felt hot anger mount TO his cheeks He
saw why Mr. Seabury was nettled and he had hard
work to restrain himself from showing his inward
resentment. The other directors were impatient OF
the delay;
investigate any assurances may make but l didn't
understand any contract was to be made to-day
Its waste of time, and we busy" snapped
Mr.. Seabury.
Still, l think. sir, am entitled to a hearing
don't why you should refuse that" :.
Because you are only a boy and ought to be
sweeping out the office and running errands instead
of wasting the time of busy men,"
Joseph saw twinkle in the eye of tall thin man
afterward that this Mr. Thayer, expert eng
and the backbone of the enterprise.
"Of course il you will not hear me | must go
takes the risk [ don't why you should mind"
And then Mr.. Thayer spoke up.
That sounds reasonable enough. 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 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, that he knew the
situation perfectly. But Mr.. Seabury would not let
him alone.
In the first place, he broke in, "a discussion is
of little The price is so much higher than the
other bids to make it hopeless"
Yes, sir, I suppose SO. But we can supply the
larger sizes and the other quarries can't"
otpo Ooad Mr Caoh
Because their stone is too soft and grinds up too
much"
Still Mr.. Seabury went on.
Does it likely that they would bid on.
stone they couldn't supply! think we may dis
miss this matter with safety, gentlemen"
They expect to buy it of us, if they get this con-
tract. They think Wen be slack and sell cheap to
keep the plant going"
I'D be careful how uttered any bes if I were
you. young man." said Mr.. Seabury tarty.
they can't supply stones that will stand up.
I know that and Mr.. Seabury, who lives in Our town,
ought to know it, too
There little litter somewhere which made
Besides" Joseph went on they'll be supplying
all of the rock at cost. They've got to put in
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"
1t was then that Mr., Thayer the engineer took
hand in the discussion. He piled Joseph with ques-
tons about the quality or the rocK the cost or
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-
ment than if he had been answering about the de-
tails of baseball game. There not director
who was not impressed by Joseph's clear-headed
understanding of the situation and by his simple
drectness in telling of it. There kindly
smile more than one face when he grew excited
in his description of the perfect system of measur
ing and loading which they had developed, for all
the world as if he were explaining new baseball
trick.
Mr. Seabury had one more shot
There terms mentioned here Perhaps
our young friend can tell us something about the
length of time we shall have for payments?"
Joseph felt little flush creep over his face,
flush which Mr.. Seabury thought VISA embarrass-
ment But Joseph, who had had all too little time
discuss details before the meeting, made the very
answer Mr.. Morton would have made-the easy,
evasiye answer of business man who wishes no
detail to interfere with large contract
"Mr. Morton didn't mention that. Our terms
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
nothing Of notes and interest Of discounts and the
financing OF big enterprises r And when MT MI Sea.
back to him. Mr. Thayer saved him.
This discussion seems out Of place at prelim-
mary hearing. We did not require terms of the
other bidders, and l think it safe to that
Mr. Morton will meet our needs"
Mr. Seabury, shifted in disgust and Joseph real
waiting for the elevator, his heart still thump-
ing when hand was laid his shoulder, 1t was
Mr. Thayer.
II should like to have you lunch with me to-day
at the club. am an old friend of Mortons"
The big club dining-room embarrassed Joseph
more than the directors meeting He felt strange
ly out of place. and very much at a loss to what
he should eat and whether it would cost too much
But Mr.. Thayer put him at his ease. He led the
talk back to "stone' and the works, and then he
raised Joseph to the seventh heaven of happiness.
Il may we'll tell you, after ALL that we decided
to take your offer l think you are entitled to
know. Mr.. Seabury fought it, but he voted alone"
"And he lives in town." exclaimed Joseph.
Eyes He didnt seem to like your coming down
in Morton's place What's the matter?"
II am not starting right to his way of thinking.
I ought to have walked to New York with my
clothes, in bundle, guess He thinks I cannot
Mr.. Thayer's eyes twinlled
"Ah but you will. If you keep at itl
And that yer, aft ,,,or hor