Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-05
COPYRIGHT. 1910. The Bohbs- Merrill c


eign mystic, was TO have his circulation
increased TO the danger point and Ill him
with an anarchy which was something
more than theoretical He wanted to Law
hands on something. but IL was not there.
He had no quarrel with the creature be-
fore him and the more expression he
gave to his inner fee .ings the more he
would lower himself.
He couahed. he gurgled, and then lie
whirled on his heel and left the Office,
leaving the door standing wide. lest in
his haste he smash it TO pieces.
Ivan closed the door with elaboration
and shook his head sorrowfully. THAT
one has plenty Of MONEY! he said. ''He
does not even get in. The next one Will
probably be after money, and he viii re-
ceive a royal welcome. I wish / knew
what our business really was"
The door opened and Lorrimer entered.
us Mr.. Bennington in?" he asked, defer
entially.
II shall see," answered Ivan, distantly.
as he noted the worried look on Lori
mer's face and instantly suspected that
financial stringency lay behind Ii. Give
me your card. please"
Dick glanced at the card, placed the
photograph back in the drawer. took out
the perfecto, lighted It, ran his fingers
through his hair. fixed his attention on a
complicated blue print and said: Admit
him at once. Ivan
After Lorrimer had entered and closed
the door after him Dick glanced up. nod
ded and said: "Ah. Mr.. Lorrimer, nay
uncle's secretary, l believe"
Il am his secretary no longer. I was
discharged this morning
rs that SO? Well?''
You are probably aware that We lost
the, bid by ten thousand dollars. This
also meant losing the other government
bids and an incalculable amount of In
dustrial business. Ii was a terrible blow
to the plant and your uncle became sus-
picious at the small amount Of difference
dollars saved, and yesterday when Il. :.
+. got down to fifty, bought. / told him
of ii at once, he Immediately inferred
that this money was the amount of my
bribe. and this morning he discharged
me-"
did you say the stock was down TO
fifty?"
"Forty-eight this morning. but II is
worth as much as ever if IL can just hol I
out a few months longer"
How do you make that out?'
Times are already beginning to inn
prove, steel construction is still on the In
crease, and the future demand will he be-
yond the physical capacity of the present
mills. but you understand that the war
between the National and our people is to
the death.
You see, when Burton watered a few
years ago he put large blocks of stock
among the big users or steel, and they
naturally feel an interest i'm using his
output when the prices are the same. On
the other hand, there has never been a
large amount of Bennington stock on the
market. Your uncle has some old-fash-
toned notions. and while he las branched
out extensively, he has kept the plant
itself pretty clean He dropped lot or
| money in the International ship syndicate
a few years ago and the present panic
| has kept him down. but as ] say. If he
will just hold out until the reaction, he
| will win
How did you have the nerve to buy
| stock under the present conditions?
| "Well-your uncle is a peculiar man: lie
/ often consulted with me and sometimes
took my advice. He was to make me a
| director as soon as 1 had sufficient stock
OF course he, himself. directs his di-
rectors. but still l felt that ! could brins
| stronger pressure to bear. / have listed
the contracts only awaiting the upward
trend. 1 have a plan for reinstating our
| credit. and L"
We'll you certainly did take an inter
est in your work. Why did you come ia
see me?"
ITO ask for employment. You have
| known of me for several years and that
L was perfectly trusted. You also know
your uncle's eccentricities. and j felt sure
! that you would either give me employ
ment or assist me in getting IL. You per
ceive that my position is extremely emf
barrassing. as / could not make COM
plete explanation TO any one but your
self
We'll. need just such a man as you.
said Dick What was your salary"
Il was getting three thousand, but, Of
course, I should be willing to start in for
| half that if"
Il can pay as high wages as any one.
| interrupted Dick. with dignity, but YOU
must understand from the very start tina
/ run my own business in my own way
If you cannot control your tongue. You
are of absolutely no use to me. Things
go on i'm this Office every day which |
should not care to have discussed outside.
/ may as we'll tell you in confidence that
| this is really a test office. / am finding
out my men and if they prove up, 1
place them in charge of special depart
ments. / hire men on plan or my own
also. furnishing them with board and
| lodging and paying their salary out or
| the annual dividends"
Board and lodging? Why. this is most
| irregular"
MY entire system is irregular" said
Dick, sternly. This method removes all
| temptation TO gamble and brings in the
income in a lump sum ready for invest
| ment. Another thing which l forgot to
mention is, that i am never thankful for
| volunteer advice or comment. Think right
along, keep in constant practice and lbs
! ready to hand out an opinion at a mo-
ment's notice. but don't throw them at
me- Never enter this office without per-
mission and don't be too polite to Gus
tomers-we have more now than We can
attend to. | shall make you my auditor
There is nothing pressing in your depart
ment at present, and / wish that YOU
would write out in shorthand your full
and complete views on the present imam
| cial situation. especially with regard TO
! its bearing on the steel industry"
Dick paused and touched his bell
IVAN he said, soon the general
office man had entered MIR. Lorrimer
| is our new auditor Provide him with
| desk room. stationery and bedding"
| Dick whirled his chair, picked up the
x,rs- md foil Iva.
| into the outer office as one In a daze.
He was comparing Dicks eccentr.cities
with his uncle's and wondering what
those of the next generation would be.
As soon as the door closed Dick smoth-
cred the perfecto and renlaced IL in the
drawer with evident regret