The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-02

I was promptly dismissed. Within six
weeks Harris followed him. Harris
was red of face and rather frightened
! when, after being in Persons Office a
few minutes, he put on his hat and coat
/ and departed. Crowell did not last
long either. Then Peters was discharg-
ed Lamar was the last OF the lot to
go. Pierson was sorry to see him leave,
for Lamar. of tho entire old outfit, was
| the only one who showed real capacity
| and in earnest desire to work for the
| best interests of the company, but
Plerson had reason to believe Lamar
was too close to some OF the old crowd
to. oe faithful to him.
| Plerson had done wonders in the six
months since he had assumed absolute
| control. From deficit OF about ST.
800 month he had come around to an
even sheet He was not making any
money. but he was not losing any. He
had managed to pay mortgage interest
on the factory. clear up some small
| obligations, such as notes Dover had
outstanding. and gradually was getting
around him men OF the class and kind
he needed. 1t probobly would be a
long. hard fight. but he had made pro-
gress. In making progress, however.
! he had made lot of enemies. Under
I the old order OF things -Lempitt, Harris.
| Crowell, Peters and Lamar were jeal-
Gus of each other or formed little cli-
ques. All were bitter against Dover
because he had their money, and they
had little chance of recovering IT. Now
that all of them were out-bounced by
the usurper Pierson--they forgot their
feeling against Dover and against each
other and made common cause against
| PierSOn. According
Person. had wronged them cruelty.
The fact that he had found them use
less and dismissed them added TO the
Injury. Nothing they could do to hurt
him therefore was considered unjust.
Pierson was not long in Ignorance of
the methods they were employing. BY
a banker to whom he applied for a
short term loan he was asked the blunt
| question as to whether the company
was not bankrupt Pierson told him
the facts and then learned that his
former associates had spread the idea
OF impending bankruptcy and had made
| 1t appear as II the condition was due
to Persons conduct. AE Finrson was
a newcomer. comparatively, and the
| others residents of longer standing
this would have hurt had their reputa-
lions been of the highest. but bankers
have faculty for getting a gauge on
| IL
regarding Harris and Lempitt that was
not wholly to their credit. Pierson
| got mis- loan and a few days later was
summoned to the bang again. This
| time he had a long interview with the
banker and seemed happier and more
| clipper when he was leaving than he
| had been for many months.
1t was not long after the visit to
the bankers that Lempitt visited Pier
sons Office. The call was official. He
desired 10 see the books of the Dover
son said he was pleased TO have Mr.
Lempitt call, but Mr. Lempitt could not
see the books.
why not?" Lempitt demanded. 81
am a stockholder and have a legal
right"
1 Perfectly true" Mr.. Person replied
but you cannot see them"
why not?" asked Lempitt.
Because" said Pierson, II will not
let you"
| Lempitt had expected no such an
swer. and. losing his temper. announced
he intended to apply for receivership
| instantly, as Pierson was trying to
make away with the companys as
sets.
Pierson assured Lempitt that II the
| TeilldIk q uioioAGSl LlOtlNe
to him was repeated Lempitt would
be thrown down stairs. Then he told
Lempitt there would DO no receiver
! Ship instantly or later. because per-
sons like Lempitt. who talk a lot and
threaten a lot. do not act. They are
like barking dogs. The quiet ones
| bite.
Lempitt went away tuning, and the
next day Pierson got letter from O
lawyer representing Lempitt announc-
! ing he had been retained and setting
| forth a demand on his clients part to
see the books, as was mis- legal right
etc.
Person forwarded the letter to his
| lawyer with a request to answer IL in
such q way as to keep the matter open
land then to drag out the correspondence
for month. never quite agreeing and
never quite disagreeing with the other
side.
At the end OF the month Lempitt's
| lawyer was requested ITO have his
client call at tho office OF the Dover.
Harris Speciality Company. Mr. Harris
| Mr.. Crowell, Mr.. Peters. Mr. Lamar and
Mr.. Dover also were asked to attend
All were on hand except Mr.. Dover. II
was understood by all that Mr.. Pierson
| hot como to the end of his resources
and his quibbling and was going Ia
submit to an examination OF the books
rather than have bankruptcy forced on
him.
Mr.. Pierson opened with resume OF
nHlcHEcTER G plIIc