The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-08

his life, but, being rcsourceful, he sug-
sestcd that Ducey set IA copy OF the
ono tho established company had and
thcy could see wherein they wished to
change the working OF their draft.
Next Arnold had Ducey take him
around and introduce him 10 the mem
bers Of the City Council. There were
fourteen of these patriots. There was
butcher German. among the num-
Der, who was not on friendly terms
with the English lanSuagc: there was
whcelwriEht who was so deaf that
nc always guessed what neoplc said
20 him. and then went along answering
accordingly. and there were various
other queer characters in tho body.
Arnold. sprightly. gay smiling and al
together charming, got into the good
grace of most OF them at once and
talked telephone until they got TO be-
hevo the city Of Stoner had been mort
shamofully treated by the old company
and that deliverancc in the person OF
Arnold was near at hand. Every one
of the fourteen assured him Of sun
port OF course. this was conditioned
upon their careful examination of tho
franchise. If however it pledged any.
thing Arnold promised--twelve free
telephones for the city government,
33 q per cent. reduction In rates. tho
most improved of telephone devices
ctc.-they could see no reason why the
franchise should not be granted at
once.
Arnold favored speed He was most
decidedly in favor of 1t. but there were
some regulations that had to be oh
served. The franchise had 10 be read
at ono meeting before il could be vot-
ed on at the re1t.
Tho reading Of the franchise evil.
IDENTIFY did not pass unnoticed be-
cause day or two later a gentleman
arrived in Stoner from Chicago. and,
after consultation with tho local tclc.
phone manager went 10 interview the
various Conncilmen. He was a clever
gentleman, was that visitor from Chi
cago He could not quite size up Mr..
Arnold They wished TO know moro
about the wonderful automatic phones
he proposed to introduce. and the cx-
tent TO which the big company was GO
ing to spread its system.
Mr.. Arnold asked the fourteen Conn
c!lmen to do him tho honor to be his
guests on trip to Chicago. They were
delighted. It meant an excursion. with
plenty to eat and drink and not n cent
to pay. They went TO Chicago with
hin and Arnold put, through as clever
bluff as he ever worked In his life.
He took thcm through the big Chi
caso exchange and told them that was
the automatic system he proposed TO
install. lie made the Councilmen think
this was part of his system inc was
showing and he made the telephone
people think the visitors were invcs-
tors studying the Chicago system In
order to Introduce it elsewhere.
Arnold had to draw rather literally
on his slsinnint friend to meet the OK
penses OF that Chicago trip. 1t Is
wonderful how much perfectly normal
mo On,
find to entertain them when some ono
else is Paying the freight That hut
cher's appetite was remarkable. and
considering that he could not hear a
word OF what was being said on tho
stage. II was surprising how much
that wheelwrght enjoyed the thea
tres
That Chicago trip was so gloriously
successful that Arnold wrote q highly
enthusiastic letter to the money shark
Ducey, too. felt perfectly at ease He
was proud of Arnold, and rather proud
Of himself. They went to the Council
meeting with the knowledge that they
had done their work well, but when
tho franchise was voted on they had
the shock of their lives
Seven voted for 1t aud seven against.
II required a two-thirds vote TO carry
Ducey seemed stunned Get up and
say something" pleaded Arnold.
"Argne with 'em. Try to get them to
reconsider"
mo, no: it's no use" replied puccy.
Somebody has becn al work and upset
everything
Then I'll talk to them myself" de-
clared Arnold.
You can't No one is allowed 20
speak without permission said Du-
cey.
Arnold hod no experience as a,
speaker. but he had nerve. He walked
through tho main aisle until he reached
| the clerks desk. Thon no turned.
"Gcntlcmen' lie said, III want PERMITS
sion to ask some question. This mat
ter is OF vita! concern 10 your city"
Some one put a motion that tho
| privilege be extended and 1t carried
Instantly Arnold. with his arm rest