The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-02-19
CHAPTER XVII.
An Informal Meeting.


1t must surprise those simple folk,
their like. were they TO return TO life
at this advanced day and gaze upon
the admirable republic which they fan
cied TO be founded on immutable prin-
ciples. AS in politics to-day those
principles would seem proved to have
been not quite immutable. so, in com
merce, men and methods would APP
pear wholly different from those
known in that earlier day. For in.
stance, in commercial matters, the
men Of that day would now find in
daily application a fourth dimension
Of affairs once wholly unknown; the
sixth sense of the modern business
man, a delicatcly differentiated faculty
evolved in the holy OF holies where
events cast their financial shadows far
in advance of themselves. John Jay.
or any financier of Revolutionary time,
very likely lacked in that regard, and
had but five senses.
This keen sense of prophecy, prop.
erty of modern leaders in finance. was
not lacking in the case of the directors
of the International Power Company.
all and several; and more especially
several. Capitalists hunt in packs
but only up to a certain point. The
sauve qui peut has small chivalry
about 1t even in the holy Of holes.
Within a few days after the turbu-
lent scene which took place in the
quiet surroundings Of Graystone Hall,
there a held, quite informally. in
deed on a wholly impromptu basis. a
meeting of the greater portion of the
directors of the International Power
Company. 1t was q meeting not called
by the president, and the president
knew nothing of 1t. 1t was not set
for the usual headquarters in the
East; on the contrary, by merest
chance, these keen-Titted men me-
by accident in the western city where
were located the works and central
operating Offices OK the international
Power Company. They made their stop
ping place, as usual, at the National
Union Club, where they were less GER
tain to become the prey OF prying re.
porters-a breed detested above all
things by these and their like.
There was, this afternoon, casually
present, a certain ~gray-haired, full.
bodied man, of full beard and rather
portly body. He was speaking with
President Standby, of st. Louis, who
| cleo nv moroct ohopca banno,o L.
in town. To them presently came the
former general traffic manager of Mr.
Standley's own road, Alderman, also
present by merest accident. Two or
three others, moreover, by mere acct.
dent, joined them, figures which were
familiar at the long table in the New
York headquarters. They looked at
one another frankly, and laughed with.
out much reservation.
Well" said Alderman, after a time.
lets sit down and have a little pow.
wow-informally. you know"
The gray-haired man grinned pleas
antly again and said nothing, but drew
up a chair.
"Of course, you know" said Stand.
ley, as he seated himself. that our
dissatisfied friend. Van. Is here In
town today"
The full-bearded mar nodded. and
IN instant later jerked his head
toward the door. He's here in the
club, too" said he, and smiled. Just
happened In, / suppose" Indeed. as
they turned to look they saw advanc
ing. talking animatedly. a rather slen
der. youngish man of brown eyes and
pointed beard; none less than the dis
gruntled director who had long age
been so summarily handled by yohr
Rawn. president of the international
Power Company.
Hasn't he got the nose for news
thought" commented Standby admir-
ingly. Now. who told him there was
anything doing?"
He didn't need to hare anybody