The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-01


con that you meant to employ the
time trying 10 get me to change uiy
mind, but you haven't said word
abou; the annex or the contract.
ike the way you put 1t up to me this
morning about my error 1t was the
right thing to DO and II was a manly
way in which YOU did it, think
nave lingering bit OF feeling against
your company, and I'm sure 1 have
against that vice president OF yours.
but Just to show YOU what think
or you and your effort TO get this con
tract I'm going to hold off the opening
or the bids twenty-four hours, and IN
gave YOU a chance TO put In tender"
Robbins jumped TO his feet so quick
~ that the walters We're startled. Let
us get back 10 the Office" he urged.
Let me get at those specifications"
The architect laughinsly permitted
Robbins to hurry him along. and In
the office little time was lost in getting
the papers Then Robbins raced to his
hotel. and, giving orders not 20 be dis
turhed on any account, went to his
room and got down TO work
All that afternoon he studied and all
the night he studied and figured lie
know factory costs He knew how far
hc could so in ordinary competition,
but IN This instance he had 10 be
guided largely by his judgment. lie
had TO figure how the other safe pco-
pic would bid. knowing as they aid
that their chief rival was out or tho
field. II was useless for him to ask
for instructions or advice from head
quarters. for without the specifications
headquarters could not act Intelligent
~. Il all rested with Robbins. Never
ala Robbins do harder thinking than
along about / o'clock in the morning
lie was heavy eyed, tired out half
dead for sleep. For twenty hours nc
hn1 h..
out his bid Whom he had sealed tho
envelope he went downstairs, had a
shave and a face massage, and then he
proceeded TO the architects office.
The architect looked surprised when
he saw him
day or two" he explained. II didn,i
mean to punish you, my dear man"
Well" said Robbins. whether n
was punishment or not all depends on
what you say when you read the fig
ures there"
The architect had opened the other
BIDS He tore omen Robbins's envelope.
un ..pohs me sheet and glanced at II.
Robbins he said. "hy the Lord
Harry, you deserve 1t! 1 congratulate
You"
The two men shook hands with a
heartiness that probably never had
been displayed in that office before.
ROBBINS sent telegram TO New
York. and then he went to bed. So
soon as he was refreshed he left pi,ts.
burg and proceeded 10 the. factory OF
The company There he left the spoci-
ncatlons and gave directions about the
building of the safes. and he also gave
orders for repairing the safes in the
main building. for he had told the ar
chitect before he left Pittsburg thai
work would be done without expense
to the steel prince
His work at the factory finished
Robbins started home. He felt an ola
ton such as he had not known in
years. lie felt the great Joy of accom-
riishment, of work well done lie had
done something remarkable He had
for years and years. He had won the
biggest order the safe business ever
had known and won ii in a manner
little short Of spectacular
He walked into his office in Phila-
dclphia pleased with himself and
pleased with the world. Picking up
the mall that had accumulated in his
absence. lie opened n letter from head
quarters marked personal 1t was
from the vice-presidcnt and demanded
an explanation OF why he left his own
territory and went into the division
of another branch manager without
permission from the head office.
kobblnS nad 10 Visit New YORK to en-
plain 1t was idle for lin 10 point out
to the interpretations that he had done
something for which he should receive
the hearty commentator of the com
pany: that in his fidelity to the com
pany's interests he had saved ii from
loss that would be trade disgrace.
The point the vice prcsidcnt wanted
him distinctly 10 understand was that
he had violated the rules. If other men
did likewise there would be no or
ganzation.
AS usual, Robbins replied more for
chilly than wisely. and soon every one
knew there wa. q vacancy in the Phlla-
dciphia Office.
The moro Robbins thought Of his
treatment the more bitter he felt to-
ward the ice-presidcnt, and deter
mined. in justice to himself, TO go TO
the big banker who was known 10 be
tic financial head of the company and