The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-15

OF him, as usual Hodgins was almost
fearful. At last young Mr.. Ward was
Impressed. He went to some friends
for aid and was politely but distinctly
turned down. They did not have
money to lend to any one jus. then.
Everybody was suspicious; everybody
was holding. on to what he had for
dear life.
when the partners parted that after
noon 1t was with the cheerful prophesy
from Mr.. Hodgins that If they were
not able to anticipate some collections
within thirty days the firm of Hodgins
Ward would hit the ceiling.
Mr.. Ward smiled and went his way,
olithe and gay as usual What II they
did fail? That was the spirit he gave
out. but really he was perturbed. To
the boy he bought a I-cent paper from
he gave a nickel and neglected to get
his change. To the woman who kept
the flower stand near the subway me
gave a quarter and took In exchange
5cent carnation Al the bridge he
gave up his seat to girl whose smile
OF thanks he failed TO notice Usually
Mr.. Ward did not miss anything where
a pretty girl was concerned. But just
at that particular moment a headline
In an evening paper caught his eye
and drove all thought of pretty girls
from his head. The item had to do
with His Serene Majesty the Shah of
Persia. The ruler OF that Eastern en-
pire. according to the cable report,
was paying one OF his periodical visits
to Paris, City Of Light. When the
Shah visited Paris the city was lighter
and livelier than usual.
The shah suggested something TO
Mr.. Ward. AS ne turned the Idea over
In his mind ne laughed out loud He
was in the best of humors when he
got uptown. and ate a glorious dinner.
He sported around in the usual way,
went to bed with clear conscience.
and awakened next morning as happy
as child. For the first time since mis-
association with Mr.. Hudgins he was
at the Office before 10 A. NJ. He put
his arm around the amazed shoulders
of Hudgins. shook that glum gentle
man up bit, and then announced tri-
umphantly that all was we'll, and they
were going to stratghten out the firms
monetary affairs. and going to do 1t
right away
NO" he said in answer to Hodgins,
ihe had not borrowed anything" nor
did he intend to. Just had a scheme.
that was all. He was going to draw
on his old friend. the Shah. for $10,-
oo0-5o,O0o francs.
Had he known the Shah long?
No; only met him once. Didn't even
have A bowling acquaintance. Had met
the old boy in Paris. Shah In one car
riage riding in the Bots dc Boulogne,
Ward and some boon companions In
another on the opposite side OF the
drive Then he went into details.
Hodgins did not have as sprightly n
mind as young Ward. and did not
grasp things at once, but after a while
the few moral protests that surged
from his soul were stillcd and he was
ready to agree with Ward that II was
the only thing to do. Briefly stated,
this is what Ward proposed:
He would draw on the Shah and the
bank would forward the draft to Te-
heran. The Shah was a riotous spend
err, and while 1t might he unusual 1t
| would not be surprising for diamond
dealer with connections in both Paris
and Amsterdam to make draft on
the ruler of the Persians, especially as
| that august King had on occasions
bought peck -or two of precious
stones to shower upon his favorites
or to adorn his royal person.
1t would take several weeks for the
draf, 10 get ia Tcheran and several
weeks for it's rejection to be returned
| to New York BY the time the draft
was returned, protested. the situation
would have cleared up some of the
money due Hodgins & Ward would be
paid and everything would be serene
again. Only the protest fee on the
draft would have been paid. That
would not amount to much. The bank
would extend credit to the firm on ac-
count OF depositing the draft 1t was
not particularly moral thing TO do.
but 1t was either that or put up the
shutters.
The draft was drawn and Mr., Ward
\ to give hllip to tho affair wrote a
letter to the shah This he attached
4 to tho draft eGd draft and letter were