The Alaska citizen., 1911-02-27
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it should be completed, and BODby himself. for few days. was com pelled to spend most of his time there During the first week after the granting of the franchise Bobby called Johnson 10 him.
 MT. Johnson" said he quite SC yerely. you have been so careful and so faithful in all other things that dislike to remind you oi an overlooked duty"
 I am sorry. sir said Johnson, What is it?'
 You have neglected 10 make out a note for that fiye-thousand-dollar loan. Kindly draw il up now, pay able in ten years. with interest at four per cent after the date of maturity"
 But. sir" stammered Johnson, the stock is worth par now"
 Would you like 10 keep it?''
 I'd be a fool to say I wouldn't, sir. But the stock is not Cnly worth par. it was in the old Brightlight; and I received an exchange of two for one in the New Brightlight, which is also worth par this morn ing; so hold twenty thousand dollars worth of stock.
 Tt cost me five thOusand.' in sisted Bobby, and well settle at that figure"
 T don't know how to thank you. sir" tremhled Johnson. but he stiff ened immediately as Applerod intro duCed himself into the room with a bundle of papers which he laid upon the desk.
 T beg your pardon, MT. Burnit. began AppIerod but l have five thousand dollars I'd Ike 10 invest in the New Brighuight Company if you could manage it for me
 I'm sorry, Applerod," said Bobby, but there isn't a share for sale. II was subscribed to the full capitali- zation before the incorporation pa pers were issued"
 Applerod was about to leave the room in deep dejection when John son. with a sudden happy inspira- tion. called him back.
 "I think know where you can buy five thousand" said Johnson; but you will have to hurry to get it."
 "Where?" asked Applerod eagerly, while Bobby went 10 the window to conceal his broad smiles.
 Just put on your hal and gc right over to Barrister" directed Johnson; and take a blank check with you I'll telephone him, 10 save time for you. The stock is worth par, and that lonesome fifty shares will be snapped up before you know ir"
 'YYou will excuse me Till l go up town. Mir. Burnit?" inquired Apple rod and hustled out eagerly.
 He had no sooner left the build ing than Johnson grabbed Bobby s telephone and called up Barrister.
 This is Johnson,' he said 10 the old attorney. T have just sent Applerod over 10 you 10 buy fifty shares of Brightlght at par. Take his check and hold it for delivery of the stock. I'll have il over tC you within an hour, or as soon as l can have the transfer made. It is my stock. but I don't want him to know it."
 Hanging up the receiver old John son sat in the chair by Bobbys desk and his thin shoulders heaVed with laughter.
 "Applerod will be plumb crazy when he finds that out" he said ITO think that I have fifteen thous- and dollars worth of this stock that didn't cost me a cent, all paid for with Applerod's own five thou sand dollars"
 Johnson laughed so hard that fin ally he was compelled to lay his head on the desk in front of him, with his lean old fingers over his eyes.
 Thanks to you, Robert; thanks to you' he added after little silence.
 Bobby. turning from the window. saw the thin shoulders still heav- ing. There was glint of moisture on the lean hands that had toiled for so many years in the Burni' service. and as Bobby passed he placed his hand on old Johnson's bowed head for just an instant, then went out leaving Johnson alone.
 It was Applerod who, returning triumphantly with Barristers prom ise of the precious block of New Brightlight for delivery in the af- ternoon. brought Bobby copy of his own paper containing so much startling news that the front page consisted only of a hysteria of head lines. Sudden proceedings in bank ruptcy had been filed against the Consolidated Illuminating and Pow CT company. These proceedings had revealed the fact that Frank L.. Sharpe. supposed to have left the city on business for the company had in reality disappeared with the entire cash balance of the Consoli- dated. This disappearance had i'm mediately thrust the Middle West Construction company into bank ruptcy. By Stones own acts the Stone enterprises had crumbled and fallen, and all his adherents were ruined
 Out of the chaos that the start ling facts he was able to glean created in Bobby's mind there came a thought of Ferris, and he immed- lately telephoned him, out at the site of the new c. E. x w. shops, where the ground was already brok- en, that he would be out that way.
 Half an hour later he took Fer ris into his machine and they whlrl- ed over to the waterworks site, where the work had stopped as abruptly as if that scene of anima- tion had suddenly been stricken of plague and died. On the way Bobby explained to Ferris what had happened.
 You were the lowest legitimate bidder on the job, l believe,' he