The Alaska citizen., 1911-02-27
XII

Silas Trimmer. coming back from lunch 10 attend the annual stock holders meeting of Trimmer X Co.,, stopped on the sidewalk to inspect. with some curiosity. a strange, box like-looking structure which leaned face downward upon the edge of the l curbing It vas three feet wsdC and fully sixty feet long. He stopped and tried to tilt it up. but il was too heavy for his enfeebled frame. and with another curious glance at it he went into the store The board meeting was set for 2:30. It was now scarcely two, and 1 vet. when he opened the door of his private office. which had been SC; apart as a board room for the day, he was nPrised at the number C people he found in the room. quick recognition Cf whom they were mystifiel him in addition. They were Bobby Burnit and Agnes, John son. Applerod and Chalmers.
 T came a little early Mir. Trim mer." said Bobby, in a quite polite conversational tone. to have these 3oo share transferred upon the books of Trimmer X Co.,. before the stock holders meeting Conyenes."
 What shares are they?' inquired Silas in a voice grown strangely shrill and metallic.
 The stock that was previously owned by your son-in-law, Mir. Clar ence Smythe. I bought them yes ttrday."
 The dog!" Trimmer managed to gasp. and his fingers clutched con yUlsively.
 Possibly" admitted Bobby dryly. At any rate he has had 10 leave town. and l do not think you will be bothered with him any more. In the meantime. Mr. Trimmer, I'd like 70 call your attention to a few very interesting figures. When you urg- ed me, four years ago, to consolidate The John Burnt and Trimmer X Co. stores. my fathers business was appraised at two hundred and six " thousand dollars and yours al two hundred and forty. On your sug- gcstion We toCk in sixty thousand dollars of additional capital. did not know as much at that time as do nov, and let you sell this stock where you could control it. virtual " giving you three thousand shares to my two thousand six hundred. You frOzc me out. elected your own board. made yourself manager at an enormous salary, and voted your son-inlaW another one so ridiculous that it was put cut of all possibility for my stock ever 10 yield any diyi- dends. All right. MT Trimmer. With he purchase of tLis three hundred shares l now own two thousand nine hundred shares and you two housand seven hundred. l presume | don't need to tell you what is going to happen in today's meeting"
 To this Silas returned no answer.
 T am an old man" he muttered to himself as one suddenly stricken. ''I am an old, cid man.
 T am going 10 oust you" con tinued Bobby, and to oust all your relatives from their fat positions; i; and l am going to elect myself to everything worth while. l have brought Mr Johnson with me to inspect your books, and MT. Chal- mers to take charge of certain le- gal matters connected with the con Cern immediately after the close of tOdays meeting. I am going to re store ApplerOd to his position here from which you so unceremOniously discharged him. and make Johnson general manager of this and all my affairs. l understand that your stock in this concern is mOrtgaged, and that you will be utterly unable 10 redeem il. l intend to buy It and practically own the entire com pany myself. Are there any ques- tions you would like to ask. Mir, Trimmer"
 There were none. Silas, crush ed and dazed and pitiable, only moaned that he was an old man; hat he was an old, old man.
 Bobby felt the gentle pressure of Agnes hand upon his arm. There was a moment of silence.
 Trimmer locked around at them piteOusly. Once more Bobby felt that touch upon his sleeve. Under standing, he went over to Silas and took him gently by the arm.
 Come over here to the window with me a minute" said he, and I will have little business talk"
 "Business Oh yes; business." said Silas, brightening up at the mention of the word.
 
 Bobby to lead him, bent and almost palsied, over to the window, where they could look out on the busy street below, and the roofs of the tall buildings, and the blue sky be- vond where it smiled down upon the river. It was only a t1eeting glance that Silas Trimmer cast at the familiar scene outside, and al most immediately he turned to Bob by, clutching his coat sleeve eager ly. "You-you said something about business" he half-whispered, and over his face there came shadow of that old shrewd look.
 Why, yes" replied Bobby un- comfortably. T think we can find q place for you, Mir. Trimmer You have kept this business up splen- didly, no matter how much beset YOU were outside, and-and I think Johnson will engage you, if you care for it to look after certain de- tails of buying and such matters as that"
 "Oh, yes, the buying" agreed Si- las, holding his head. T always was a good buyer-and a good seller, tool" and he chuckled. About what do you say, now, that my services would be worth?" and with the pros pect of bartering more of his old self came back.
 "We1l make that satisfactory, l can assure you.' said Bobby. Your salary will be very liberal one, toip ir