Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-09
CHAPTER TX.
Dick Vetoes the Choice.

CHAPTER TX.
Dick Vetoes the Choice.
|. Bennington seated himself and Dick
rose and began to pace to and fro. II
see your position" he said, at last Il
see it exactly and I appreciate 1t, and
want to come in and help you fight. too
that is, part Of me does: but there is the
other SIDE also. the bigger side. the side
that would mean q sacrifice Of the present
in order that the future may never again
hear the hunger call" He paused and a
whimsical expression came on his grave
face But I always supposed that there
was nc, end to our money, ] always looked
on you as one of the most shining sue
cesses Of the capitalistic system. Why.
it would take half the fun out of it. uncle.
to think that instead OF your weltering in
lucre you were straining every nerve to
keep the old boat aioat. ! can't see into
it; here I've been reading Of your gifts,
and l.
Burton again. snapped the uncle.
Every time he led, I followed suit-and
I took the trick. II he gave away a
church. l gave q hospital; IL he shaded a
price. I cut 1t to the quick; il he took
away my best man. 1 took the next best,
trained him up until he was better than
the first and beat him at his own game
Oh, I've fought him. Dick, l certainly
have fought him, but he has the most
capital. He don't know 1t. but he has.
He watered his stock when times were
booming, 1 wanted to keep ours as close
as possible. and yet branch out. too. NOW,
/ haven't the nerve to reach out for new
capital. A stumble at this point and the
whole jig is up
II always supposed there was a merger
between you and that all this scrappng
was merely a bluff. Why don't you
merger"
The old man fidgeted nervously In his
chair, wiped his forehead with very
large white silk handkerchief. and after
a minute asked: What will you have to
drink. Dick?'
II think I'll take Manhattan to make
sure that I'm back home again" replied
Dick glancing curiously at his uncle as
he turned and touched the bell. Almost
as soon as the bell had ceased to vibrate
the butler entered, his face wrinkled into
an attempt to depict penitence, hope and
trepidation.
Bennington glared at him fiercely until
he again looked like a scared rabbit. and
then said, courteously: Higgins, two of
your universal brothers feel the need of
little stimulant VIII you kindly oblge
Mr. Dick with Manhattan cocktail, and
myself with some straight whisky, and
suddenly changing his voice-'be damn
quick about 1t, too
Higgins hurried away with a sigh or re-
lief He knew that there were several
jerks still in store for him; but that TO
large extent. his rebellion had been for
given Bennington examined his hnger
nails intently, as II to assure himself
that they We're in no danger Of falling
out. and finally said: ITO tell you the
truth. Dick. that is just what l hoped
that you might bring about"
81 bring about?" exclaimed Dick. ny.
Great Scott, uncle. l have no more idea
of how merger is merged than or how
an airship is aired. | always supposed
that-well, to be perfectly frank. never
thought much about how they We're actu-
ally made. l first condemned trusts In a
way to make them shake in their shoes.
then / was surprised to discover that they
We're the grandest achievement In COM
mercialism, and would continue until
something still better came along. |
know all about them. and their habits and
their destiny; but hanged II l have any
idea how to make one.
Higgins entered and the two men raised
their glasses and drank In silence. Ban
nington motioned the butler away, and
after he had gone, placed his finger on his
lips and wnked at Dick. Dick was sur
prised to see his uncle next tiptoe to the
door and hear him say in tones OF So
licitous kindness: 1T Is not necessary
to wait. Higgins. If need you, III ring
the bell'-again a quick change OF voice.
land If catch you listening again. III
wiring your neck"
'.Confound you, Dick" after he had re-
turned and taken his seat, two days ago
that creature was perfect servant he
an electric bell; now he has begun to
think for himself and I can never trust
him again. Dick, wish you would make
UP your mind on this merger business.
Think it over. anyway"
But, uncle, I have absolutely nothing
to focus on. Have you ever tried to eff
feet a merger? What am | to plan for?'
''Oh. Dick. you are sad disappoint-
ment to me- said the old man. shaking
his head. IT can't tell you my reasons;
tween Burton and myself. We must
fight 1t out until one or the other goes
under. Not even for the plant could |
make a friendly proposal to him: but you
matter and you could bring 1t about He
is just as tired OF the fight as l am; but
also just as proud"
That's all right assented Dick m
not afraid Of getting turned down hard,
or anything of that kind; and it's part OF
my philosophy to encourage trusts as
much as possible. Just put me wise to
the project and I'll make q noise like a
corporation senator; but you see, l don't
know a blame thing about the business.
up7"
1T didn't want you to put up any kind
Of a talk. yourself. wanted you to be
drawn into 1t: and meant to oppose 1t
at first and then to give in with every
sign of reluctance. I'm weary OF war.
Dick. I have downtrodden my fellow
creatures until my feet are sore; and
intended to retire the minute you caught
the swing, and wanted this merger to
be my excuse I've had the harness on
long time, boy. a long time"
We'll Of course, l may be forced into
the harness against my will; but for the
life of me 1 can't understand what You
are talking about. You say You want to
be forced into doing what you want to do
ANYWAY. and that I am mixed up in 1t.
You'll have to forego the Greek oracle
style and talk to me as though ] were a
truly child. What is your plan and what
can do?'
We'll. Dick. hoped hoped that you
would fall in love with Miss BURTON
Miss Burton,' calculated Dick
.rl