The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-04-22
by MICHAEL j. PORTER.
copyright, 1911. by Associated
Literary Press)

Literary Press)
How would you like to own ten
shares of telephone stock"
Ten shares: market value, 125--
that's s1,260. The dividend is what
10 per cent. annually"
Col. Stoneman nodded.
Not bad; not bad at ALL" con-
fessed little Tommy Sharp. city attor-
ney. Wish | could afford EN-
You can" returned the colonel,
settling his white vest carefully. Just
report favorably to the mayor on that
new franchise Of ours. He'll believe
anything you say"
Tommy grinned "a boyish grin. II
suppose I'd ought to throw You out
of my Office" he said. But / can't.
You're too big. and too imposing, colo
nell
Then it's all right?''
Yes. it's all right. Your franchise
is "A steal, and I'm going so tell him
So"
Tommy was stin smiling carelessly,
but his calmness and tis lack of he
roles did not deceive the colonel. The
caller rose.
Well think it over If you see
your way"
Afraid l won't. colonel
The big man paused. Well there's
no use OF our being enemies over it,"
he said genially. My ears outside.
Come on and have a little ride
Tommy rose promptly. Go you"
He chuckled as he locked the Office
What's the Joke ?" inquired the
telephone nagnatc.
oh. / was thinking how similar
mems methods are under similar ctr
cumstances." replied Tommy. "Old
Btll Hicks wanted the inside track on
the garbage contract. He invited me
out for ride in that rattletrap buggy
ef his. / went; learned lot. TOO.
colonel Human nature is always hui
usan nAture.--The only thing that
spoiled the pleasure OF the ride was
the. vile cigar he gave me / couldn't
give him the garbage contract, but
had To smoke his cigar"
The coloncl's eyes twinkled appre-
ciatively and unseen he slipped his
cigar case back into HIS pocket.
by the way. Sharp" he said. my
vile md daughter are in the car
Don't mention this telephone affair
before them. Women don't under
stand~~business'
Thank heaven for that said Tom
my feryeutly.
Cecil SLOVENIAN was twenty en.---
and delightful She had gone to a
spoiled. despite Aer own popularity
and her fathers cath. Perhaps her
mother deserved much Of the credit.
Mrs. Stoneman was 81 sensible woman.
Tommy Sharp. sitting Ia the tom
neau Of the big car On turning seat.
enjoyed bis ride very much.
The colonel smiled wisely. IL some
what cynically, To himself as he noted
how their mountaineering devel~
oped. Mrs. Stoneman. more elemental
and withal better Judge Of people
than her husband. because less iogi~
cal. liked Tommy sharp. When they
dropped him after two hours at mis-
lodgings she invited the young al
torney, cordially. to call.
He did and Fixed frmiy the good
opinion Mrs SLOVENIAN had formed
81 him. After that his came to be
Regular visitor. The colonel. with
something of triumph and something
Of weariness sn his smile. postponed
action ON his telephone company s
franchise grab for n fun month.
one IS ming he came down to the
city attorneys office "a certain grim
determination about hts mouth,
Special council meeting tonight.
Sharp 70
es'7
TO pass our franchise
To consider Il. colonel" corrected
Tommy.
Well. where are you =
Against it,
I'm going TO Iay my cards on the
tani@. fate up, sharp said the coio-
mel. I'm going To talk plain tar
to you Man to man Yau Under
stand"
Yes. 60 ahead.
Pm worth a million Sham.
That's "a lot 81 money