The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1914-11-12
CHAPTER xxx.

ed that his plans had work.
ed so extremely we'll. "Why,
you are trying to take advantage OF
what you consider to be my necessity"
Mr.. Spooger was not indignant.
merely hurt in his tenderest feelings.
"You are most unjust" he complained.
II am only correctly gauging the mar
ket value Of the stock to your monopo-
ly. have labored to obtain it for
YOU, and the laborer is worthy Of his
hire
"A hundred and twenty-five isn't Ia
borer's profit; it's robbery" protested
Wallingford.
that you paid even less than that
for it.
Par is the price," Blackie patiently
explained. II have always said that
II l ever owned stock In anything
wouldn't sell it for anything but par.
l like the sound of the word"
ut doesn't sound half so we'll as
say, SIS cash." insinuated Mr.. Spoo-
ger. laughing like one giving away
groceries.
par" repeated Blackie gently. but
firmly. and lighted cigarette. "At
that III only sell you fifty shares.
understand that Jim Wallingford's
buying up this stock, and l wouldn't
run the risk of much Of it falling into
his hands, He'd put my friend Bess-
mer right out of his own shop and
turn it over to the trust"
II am not an agent nor emissary COR
any one" stated Mr.. Spooger. much
outraged Il am investing or specu-
lating. if you wish to call it SO, for my
own benefit entirely"
Blackie had particular reasons OF his
own for doubling that but be did not
think it wise to say so.
Fifty shares or nothing. and at par"
he asserted stoutlys III l sell more
than that I'll sell all. If ] have to
weaken my majority of stock want
to get out entirely"
Nh Mr. Spooger stilled the pea-like
q thumping Of his heart. Would yoll
a seriously contemplate selling all?" he
llsasked quietly.
u IA "Well, you see," hesitated Blackie,
4, looking mournfully about the shop and
over at Bessmer's Office. ~ like this
but Pm poor person, and to sell out
at par would mean big profit Oh my
investment wouldn't sell to Jim
Wallngford. though don't think
he'd even come to me to buy it."
This being the strict truth. Blackie
had a perfectly clean conscience when
he said it.
"I'll take those fifty shares at par"
Mr.. spooger slowly observed, after
thinking long. long time. III were
you | would not say anything to Mr..
Bessmer about it just now. Suppose
come over tonight and see you at your
hotel
make it tomorrow morning at 10
o'clock" amended Blaczie. II am not
> coming to the shop tomorrow fore
: noon"
r Mr.. Spooger was busy writing him
e out a check Here is $4,000 for your
v fifty shares he stated, holding it with
e both hands for impressiveness. Just
think how little those fifty shares cost
a you and how much profit am giving
d you! Multiply that by the balance of
e your stock and think it overr
q II don't like to leave this place."
mourned Rlackie. I'm teaching two
l. of the boys over in the shipping room
Il to dance the double clog"
Mr.. Spooger returned to Waling-
). ford's hotel triumphantly.
q Il can get fifty shares of that
i. stock" he announced. delighted to
. give Wallingford SO much pleasure.
but you'll have to raise the price to
II $135."
h. Wallingford eyed him with secret
? sorrow that he was doing the man no
D. HARM ITS extortionr' he protested.
3 II can't get it for you for less" de-
n clared Mr.. Spooger. seemingly sad that
y. such was the case
II don't believe l want 1t at ALL"
-, suddenly decided Wallingford.
- "Why not?" demanded Spooger in
breathless fright.
", because you have only fifty shares
-. of it. My instructions are to obtain
=, control. and I'm beginning to be dis
=, . couraged about it"
:. "You buy this fifty shares at the
~ price l named, anG I'll tell you some
&c good news" promised Eli, with ex-
y, ultant playfulness.
II. "Do you mean that you can get all
>. of it?' asked Wallingford eagerly.
Ct ~ believe that l cam" jubilated Eli
vi and rubbed his hands over and over
:" each other.
" "Then I'll pay you 1886 for this fifty
~ with pleasure" and WaIingford jerked
\" ont his pocketbook.
~ Mr.. Spooger was so'ry he had said
:. that he could obtain merely the fifty
-. shares, for he had the certificate In
~ his pocket. However, he had made i,
~ an early motto that If he could moi
- entirely avoid evil he would avoid al
appearance of evil
az "I'll be back in ten minutes" he
he .,+o+,a ..vor,1 ho r;oh+ horo vo,,,,