The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-04-01

to 60 into ;,:y of tie streets of Phila-
delphia. We shall purchase that CON-
pany, we will put SIC, 100000 new cap
1tal into it and reduce the price Of gas
in Philadelphia to so cents thousand.
Where will you be .then:''
The face Of the Colossus as he ut
tered this stand and: deliver speech
was calm and inscrutable. Conscious
of the resistless power of his untold
millions, he felt no more conjunction
in mercilessly crushing this business
rival than he would IN trampling out
the life of worm The little man fac
ing him looked haggard and distressed.
He knew we'll that this was no idle
threat. He was we'll aware that Ry-
der and his associates by the sheer
weight Of the enormous wealth they
controlled could sell out or destroy any
industrial corpora ton in the land. 1t
was plainly illegal, but it was done ev-
cry day, and his company was not the
first victim nor the last. Desperate, he
appealed humbly to the tyrannical
money power:
Don't drive us to the wall, Mr.. Ry-
der. This forced sale will mean dis
aster to us all. Put yourself in our
place; think what it means to scores
OF families whose only support is the
income from their investment in our
company" .-'.
"Mr. Herts," replied Ryder unmoved,
II never allow sentiment to interfere
with business. You have heard my
terms. refuse to argue the matter
further. What is it to- be? Five mil
lions or competition? Decide now or
this interview mast end!'
He took out his watch and with his
other hand touched a bell. Beads of
perspiration stood on his visitors fore
head. In voice broken with sup
pressed emotion he said hoarsely:
You're a hard, pitiless man, John
Ryder! So be it-fve millions. don't
know what they'll say: 1 don't dare
return to them.' .~
Those are my TERMS" said Ryder
coldly. ''The papers, he added, will
be ready for your signature tomorrow
at this time, and I'll have a check ready
for the entire amount. Good day.
Mr.. Bagley entered. Ryder bowed to
Herts, who slowly retired. When the
door had closed on him, Ryder went
back to his desk, smile of triumph
on bis face. Then he turned to his
secretary.
LET Sergeant Ellison come up," he
said. -
A moment later the door opened, and
Sergeant Ellison entered, followed by
the secretary, who almost Immediately
withdrew. >%,53i
well, sergeant" said>Mr. Ryder cor
daily, what have. you to tell me? I
can give you only few. minutes. ex-
pect lady friend of yours
The plutocrat sometimes condescend-
ed to be jocular with his subordinates.
"A lady friend Of mine, sir?" echoed
the man, puzzled. 80
"Yes-Miss Shirley Green, the au.
thor" replied the financier, enjoying
the detectives embarrassment. THAT
suggestion of yours worked out all
right. She's coming here today"
I'm glad you've found her, SIR" =,
1T was tough job" answered
Ryder, with a grimace. 1--WE wrote
her half dozen times before she was
satisfied: with the wording Of the invi-
tation, but finally we landed her, and
expect her at 3 O'clock. Now, what
about that Rossmore girl? Did you go
down to Massapequa? r.
T.. Eyes, sir, have been there half a
dozen times. In fact, I've just come
from there. Judge Rossmore is there,
all right, but his daughter has left
Tor parts unknown. - =.
! "Gone away! Where?' exclaimed
the f1nancier.
! no BE coNTINuED.l y.