The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-10-23

When those or HIS generation whose fathers had been able to provide a college education returned on the threshold of manhood to begin life, they found Warren Blake already in the eyes of his neighbors, a success, assistant cashier of the bank and own CT of certain small mortgages, but not at all boastfuI over it. He continued, even when Ae became cashier, modest ly unaware that he had become a model young man. He was a literal man who took all things seriously, his duty to his bank, his treasurership of the Presbyterian church. He was rarely known to laugh.
 After thirty five years acquaintance New Chelsea had found no explanation of him. It was admitted that even Judge Dunmeade, who had a liking for sonorous phrases, had failed with his triumph of the commonplace vir- tues" And it continued to choose Warren Blake as treaSarer for those organizations requiring such an officer, executcr of it's last wills and testa- ments and trustee of it's estates, of which trusts he always rendered prompt and exact accounts.
 And now, all New Chelsea knew, he and Stephen Hampden were organiz- ing a company of fabulous capitaliza ton to work the coal fields One morning in mid July Warren was as usual at his desk. The day had already become hot and stif1fng. ,The clerks at the counter grumbIed profanely at the rule, promulgated by Warren. that forbade them to appear coa tless. and glanced envious1y through the plate glass partition at the cashier, very handsome and cool looking in his light gray suit, socks and necktie to match. He was reading, with slow care that overlooked no syllable, the papers on the desk. When he had read them he arranged them in two neat lit tie piles, which he labeled Options Granted" and Options Refused. 7
 As this task was completed Stephen Hampden entered the bank, with a pleasant nod in reply to the clerks re spectful greeting. He made his way into the cashiers office.
 .sPhewi" he whistled, drawing a chair up to the desk. Its hot day, asn'f .ft2 Have you the options 2'
 Warren pushed the two piles of docu- noents toward him. At one Hampden merely glanced; the other, Options Refused" he opened and read rapidly.
  ties. Why won't they sign?"
 esThey want cash, not stock, for their coal.''
 "Did you point out to them the pros pectfye value of the stock and the ne cessfty of being all in one company to prevent price cutting and the opportu- nifty to improve the community by opening up new business g
 s'I did But we're not trying to im- prove the community; we're trying to make money for ourselves
 ssI,m afraid, Warren, you were the wrong man to. send after those op- tions.''
 ..I was,'' said Warren calmly. q told you so at first Pm not clever talker.''
 'I don't want to tie up any more cash i'm this than have to-. How would it work to send John Dunmeade after those options7 We could make him at torney for us and the company and give him stock. What do you think ?"
 Warren took several minutes to con sider this suggestion. "He can do it if any one can,s he said at last. "He is very popular amsng the farmers. Ev- erybody likes him like him, too, though he is always laughing at me"
 s'Eh? Why does he laugh at you T' Hampden inquired.
 sI don't know answered Warren evenly. T shall ask him sometime. Shall send for him2"
 'sYes."
 Warren opened the door and sent one of his clerks with the message. Then he sat down, staring thoughtfully at the smoke from Hampden's cigar. Hampden took up pad and pencil and began to make some calculations.
 He won't do it, Warren said sud- denly.
 why not?" Hampden looked up from his penciling.
 ssHe,s honest.r
 Aren't we honesta'. Hampden de nanded sharply.
 We're not-sentimental,' Warren answered calmly "He is. We're try ing to take advantage -1egitimateIy, Of course-of the farmers in a bargain. That's the thing he likes to fight''
 Not at all,'' Hampden contradicted coldfy. ''This is straight business proposition, and I guess he'll not be sentimental when we offer him, say, ten thousand-in stock. We can let him have that much without losing control.''
 '.I don't think he'll take it,'' Warren insisted without warmth. stAnd he isn't fool He doesn't need money. He's the sort that people take to, whe- ther he has 1t or not. Pm not like that I've got to have money to get peoples respect. You're that kind too-''
 s.Eh?" Hampden stared, half anus ed, half angered by Warren's matter of fact explanation. Warren was not in the habit of talking of himsef. Turn ed philosopher, have you? You'd better stick to banking, where you're at home
 A few minutes later John entered the bank. Hampden greeted him cordially.