The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-07-15

H
 of directors meeting.
 " On the following day a
 similar telegram came from the gentleman in Ontario.
 MT. Wallingford called board of di- rectors' meeting.
 On the second day after that sfnni- lar telegram came from the gentleman in Arkansas.
 MT. wanineford called board of di- rectors' meeting.
 On the second day after that, again, Mr. Bezazzum himself came into the factory clad In the most violent silk sweater procurable.
 Mir. Wallfngford not only called a board of directors meeting on this spe cial occasion, but he spent sn entire day in tan and brought them to 1t, limp and pittful as they were
 Mir. Bezazzum, more violently in famed than his unspeakable sweater, was a tornado Of righteous wrath, whom Mir WaIlingford endeavored, with no success at all to placate with eoothing words and fond promises.
 .sHToI P shr1ekeds A1r Bezazzun toRH have the law on yez, begobl You ss,ro5ntsed Tne delivery On certain date. | have me 800 min engaged and 10 houses to put them in. I could have had the houses elsewhere. But, by cheniny blaSs my confidence cen diss skinner concern an they turn me down! Pm agin you-see2 Tomor row, by heck, I'll stack you up in front of s $200,0O0 damage suit 50 help mel And that goes!'
 waliingford, in panic at Blaclie's audacfty, but approaching far less than BIaclxie how much the panic of his nunbed board of directors could safely be trodden upon and jerked to bits and gorily juggled with, just did save himself from an attack of heart failure and drew himself together for his cue.
 9sBut, my dear man. he expostulat- cd; ssnny dear Mir Bezazzum, you must realize that, as far as intent goes. we are entirely innocent in this affair. We delivered the goods to you on time, and we cannot be held for anything on that score In a spirit Of fairness, however, we will do this much: We will pay the freight both ways, taIe back the 800 portable houses and repay your 10 per cent advance deposit tn cash. Isn't that fair, MT. Bezaxzum 2,'
 ssHear, heart" cried Hickey Saunders h tone which tried to be exhi1arat- ing. 'sThat's a eportin' offer. MT. Be xazzum.''
 Mir. Bezazzuna's answer to that sport ing ofeer was immediate, picturesque and violent. He had contract calling for the delivery of the goods to him within certain specified time, and de- livery to a carrying agent from which he could not obtain the goods upon the proHer of the agreed price for their re- lease was no delivery to him, in fact, common sense or law. In the mean time, relying upon this company, he had h good faith hired a regiment of men for whose operations, in his behalf, these portable houses were necessary, and these men, under contract, looked to him for their pay. He had good and valid claim. for damages, sustain able in any court, for a sum so large that 1t staggered even Wa1lingford when Mir. Be7azzum had the careless impudence to mention it. Mir. Bezaz- gum intended to press his claim in the highest courts in the land. so help him Moses. and there was no possible com promise Hold on, though! There might-fhat is, 1t was just barely pos sfble that there might-be a way out.
 Hope. dim, vague, distant, gIimmer- ing hope, the barest flicker and spark of hope blushed faintIy upon the far distant horizon for five disconsolate gentlemen in trade It might be bare ly possible that, if the Speckled Bass company, retaining its 10 per cent ad- vance payment, were to reHnquish the goods in settlement of MT. Bezazzum's $ damage claim Well, gentlemen, there you were, and what were you going