The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1912-10-04


ly another time, probably.
From anyone else, Dad, that
would sound like an invitation to
have drink. But if I've got to choose
right off, it's only fair to begin at
the bottom and peddle. bananas as
you suggest" said Jimmie gaily.
The old man leaned forward grim
ly. ''All right, selling bananas it il;
iI'll take you at your own word. And =
he added bluntly, eff you go back on
it now-well-"
''The banana business -
Jimmie recognized, trifie late, that
he had really passed a crisis. In the
momentary whirl and adjustment of
ideas, an impossible picture arose in
his mind of young man and a two
wheeled cart piled high with sprawl
ing yellow fruit: "Oh, I say, Dad,
that's only a joke :" he exclaimed.
your joke, amt it You make a wish,
just like a story-book, and here I am
like the fairy godmother that makes
it come true-like that y" He crack
ed his big knuckles in illustration
But the harshness died out of his
voice as he went on: why, Jim
ME, son, I don't care what it isyoure
in; but I'll put you at the top O. the
heap You needn't worry about
pushing a cart through the streets
u did that, or pretty much that, when
I started. But you'll start right
big business modern ideas, and all
that sort Of thing. Bananas ! BY
CAD, I'll show the world what the
banana business ought to be !"
Ho 11nohod q hutton 11ndor tho r.iTRa
of the big desk, and the faded little
secretary popped into the sanctuary.
Fix up a room for Jim outside some
till it's ready. The faded secretary
slid noislessly out.
Jim, you'll come downtown with
me mornings after this. Your bust
ness at first will be to sit tight
mostly to stop, look, and listen, as
the railroad signs say. You can go
up home now and tell Ma that your
salary will be what she thinks your
allowance should be-now that you
won't have time to spend it."
Jimmie accepted the state Of at
fairs with an easy adaptability, though
still a trife dazed at the swiftness
with which events had crystalized.
"All right, Dad Hooray for the
banana business if you say so-this
automatic choice is a great load off
my mind. Want me to 90 home by
way Of the docks and pick up few
bargains in leftover bunches?"
You don't know enough" retort-
ed the old man CURLY. 1 don't
reckon you know enough about bust
ness to start anywhere but at the
fy n1o +rnn
ton for an instant.
eff anybody cares enough to know,
you might say that you are the Sec
rotary of the Consolidated Tropical
Fruit Products Development Com
pany"
Jimmie whistled. Swell name
that, Dad When l can reel out an
offhand inspiration like that, I'll be
qualified to sit among the big guns,
too. After this I'll never be able to
look a banana in the eye without
taking off my hat to it."
The old mans harsh features soft
ened again, and he walked across
and laid his heavy-knuckled hand on
the younger mans shoulder. why,
Jimmie, son, there's no greater world
to conquer than that of modern bust
ness. You've got brains-ain't |
your father ?-and with me back of
you We'll found one O. these financial
what-d'ye-ca1-'ems destinies no
yn-asties-that's it, dynasties. I'll
show you Tell Simmons l want to
see him." he concluded abruptly as
they reached the door together
Before the old man had returned
to his desk Simmons, the drab little
Office secretary, was again at his ell
bow. "Mr. Jim said you wished to
see me, sir p
YES; everybody gone Well, call
up Griscom and tell him to meet me
at the club this evening; important.
Get Foote Oh the wire-tell him to be
there, too"
Griscom was chief of the old mans
staff of permanent counsel, and Foote
was his chief consultanto on legal mat
tiers of Importance. Big-boned,
gaunt, and taciturn, after Gorem's
own pattern, Foote had risen by the
sheer force of a cold and powerful
brain from the shady twilight zone
where he had been the chief legal
bulwark of a long-dead political
gang, until he was now almost
symbol of adroit legal and intellectual
ability The old man had once remark
edit was the nearest he ever came
to a compliment: ''Foote don't waste
any time telling me what the law
won't let me do; he shows me how to
60 ahead and do it !"
ITO be continued