The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-08-05
Wallingford In His Prime
By GEORGE RANDOLPH CHESTER
Copyright, 1913, by the Bobbs-
 Merrill Go.
Iconanued.l

T had right to know this, 1nd1g@ nantly declared MT. Scauop. Why didn't you tell mei"
 Because you'd have kidded him to death" WaIIingferd answered for him. T suppose your new models are up at the house. MT. Bang? If MT. Scaaop will let you off I'll go mp there with you and look at them"
 -90f course he can go,'' said MT. Gcal- lop hastily. 'sIH go along"
 In Ed Bangs woodshed they inspect ed the crude coils and bars which form ed Mr. Bangs latest model of his sun engine. and Pete Scallop looked coldly upon the dynamometer which present ly registered it's coeficient of power la the early winter sunIight.>
 T don't see where you've made any Improvement" he criticised with much dlssatisfa action. Tt was heater look ing machine the last time saw it, and it ran bicycle wheel"
 WaIingfprd chuckIed, closing his eyes and heaving his big shoulders. That was one of my stock selling tricks. '' he confessed 'sThat wheel was so delicately balanced that we. had to keep gnats off the rim for fear they might start it spinning backward. Moreover, I dattened the steel spokes Of that bicycle wheel and set them di- agonaIly. so that the wind would help it.
 .sYou hear him.. gentlemenP' cried Mir. scalIop. clutching at his teeth. ssHe admits that he tricked us.'s
 Vas clever. wasn't it ~ agreed Wal Ifngford, pausing to admire himself. Look at this dynamometer. though, Mr. Scallop. The machine is the same size. and that little needle is more than fOur times as far around the dial as it was the last time saw test MT. Bang has been making steady progress with pltifuIly inadequate means. and [ for one believe that he will solve his problem Do you think sop asked Mr. Bang. with pathetic eagerness. Sometimes I believe I'm a mere drunkard over this thing. and ought to quit 1t"
 Don't you do it' Wallingford heart fly and sincerely encouraged him. Plugging away like that at anything is bound to win, and when you hit it you'll make ms all miIlionaires. Bring your model down to the stochholders' meeting at the hotel tonight Dinner will be served at [. but I'd like to have you there little earlier. must hus- tie now; Eve lot to do.D
 They found MT. Steele, in a red era vat and gray waistcoat, waiting anx- aeusly for them at the hotel. WalIine- ford saw him first and thanked his lucky stars for that He jerked BIackfe into the first entrance to the bar and handed him $100.
 xodr part in this opera buffet will be to keep this Steele person conspicu- oHsly hidden he directed. q have to work fast and he'd make me stut- Blaclie look the money nstiessly. Do you mind if I give him knockout drops ?" he inquired.
 Poison him if you want to- con sented Waliingford and, going out upon the side street from the bar. slipped Into the ladies' entrance and upSthe rear stairway to the governors suit where he telephoned to the stock hdlders of the long torpid Bang Sun Engine company, inviting them to the banquet that night and Do the special meeting. This exciting and sometimes almost aofous duty performed and an appointment made by telephone with certain Mir. Gettitt, he once more slipped down the rear stairway.
 MT. Gett1tt was superintendent of the electric light plant and was a thick necked party with an acute alcoholic aura. It's treat to see you, Wal lingford," ]" he declared. with fervor q heard you was in town before you tele- phoned. and figured right away fheresd be something in it for me. You stung me the last time with nothing but stock. and there's no market for waste paper any more I'll take cash this dnaes thank you
 Youm take share in nice busi- ness" WaIlihaford corrected him. ssThe city owns the electric light plant, be- Heve9
 Tt thinks 1t does
 s-That makes your position political. one Does the board of aldermen make any restrictions on your con- Hactssg
 eve are all bretherz,- MT. Getutt c0mplacAnfiy affirmed
 waalingford drew paper pad to- ward him and produced a lead pencil
 The dear friends and fellow stock holders Of Mir. Wallingford came to the meeting with snickering determine ton to skin him alive and hang his hide uEon the outer wall to dry if he SC much as hinted at involving them h penny Of expenditure They had sat with him. to their cost, at just 9nch dinners as this; so when the cof- fee came and MT. Wallingford after seeing that each man was served, pick ed his napkin from his lap and laid it beside his plate, they nudged one another and said:
 ssNow we get it Grip your pocket book He's going to make a speech"
 He dId He had been surprised and pained upon his return to find that. in his absence. his motives and even his integrity had been questioned. True. he had sold them some of his own stock in the Sun Engine company and had left the city, but they must re member that they had been much more eager to buy 1t than he had been to sell.
 He's got us there,' 9 mumbled She'll 11o5stxo,. s4f s4E,<a NTaxrffa fsf1frors' hank fo