Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-08-03
|Wallingford:|
/ In His Prime
j. By GEORGE RANDOLPH CHESTER
CnnYri1hf 1Q12 nv fha Rohhs
By GEORGE RANDOLPH CHESTER
Copyright. 1913. BY the Bobbs-
Merrill Co.
CHAPTER v.
The End Of the Company.
NU YALLINGFORD called board
N/ OF directors meeting.
" On the following day a
CHAPTER v.

-
.AA of directors meeting.
" On the following day q
similar telegram came from
the gentleman in Ontario.
Mr.. Wallingford called board Of di.
<ectors' meeting.
On the second day after that SINH.
Jar telegram came from the gentleman
dn Arkansas.
Mr.. Wallingford called board Of d.
fectors' meeting.
On the second day after that, again,
mr.. Bezazzum himself came into the
factory clad in the most violent silk
sweater procurable.
Mr.. wallingford not only called a
board Of directors meeting on this spe-
'cial occasion. but he spent an entire
day in taxi and brought them to 1t.
limp and pitiful as they were.
Mr.. Bezazzum, more violently In
famed than his unspeakable sweater,
twas q tornado of righteous wrath,
whom Mr.. wallingford endeavored.
with no success at all. to placate with
soothing words and fond promises.
''No!" shrieked Mr.. Bezazzum. corn
have the law on yez, begob! You
promised me delivery on a certain
date. have me 800 min engaged and
Inc houses to put them In. could have
had the houses elsewhere. But by
cheminy, blaze my confidence cen
.diss skinner concern an they turn me
down! I'm agin you-see? Tomor-
row. by heck. I'll stack you up in front
of q $4,000 damage suit, so help me!
And that goes!'
Wallingford, in panic at Blackie's
audacity, but approaching far less
than Blackie how much the panic OF
his numbed 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.
.'But, my dear man." he expostulat-
ed; my dear Mr.. 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
I'VE cannot be held for anything on that
score. In q spirit Of fairness. however,
we will do this much: We will pay the
freight both ways, take back the 300
portable houses and repay your 10 per
cent advance deposit in cash. Isn't
that fair, Mr.. Bezazzum?"
Clear, hear" cried Hickey Saunders
in a tone which tried to be exhilarat'
ing. That's sportin' offer. Mr.. Be
zaxxum..
Mr.. Bemzzum's answer to that sport
ing OFFER was immediate, picturesque
and violent. He had contract calling
for the delivery of the goods to him
within a certain specified time. and de.
livery to carrying agent from which
be could not obtain the goods upon the
proffer Of the agreed price for their re-
lease was no delivery to him, In fact,
common sense or law. In the mean
dime, relying upon this company, be
had in good faith hired 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 sum so large
that It staggered even Wallingford
when Mr.. Bezazzum had the careless
impudence. to mention 1t. Mr.. Bezaz'
gum intended to press his claim in the
highest courts in the land. so help him
Moses, 1and there was no possible com
promise Hold on, though! There
mightAthat is. it was just barely pos
sible that there might-be way out.
Hope. dim. vague, distant, glimmef
Ing hope, the barest flicker and spark
of hope blushed family upon the far
distant horizon for five disconsolate
gentlemen in trade. 1t might be bare
4 " possible that, il the Speckled Bass
company, retaining its 10 per cent ad
vance payment, were to relinquish the
goods in settlement of Mr. Bezazzum's
damage claim Well, gentlemen, there
you were, and what were you going