The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1914-07-23

. " On the following day 8
similar telegram came from
the gentleman in Ontario.
Mr.. Wallingford called board of di
rectors' meeting.
On the second day after that SINH
lar telegram came from the gentleman
in Arkansas.
Mr.. Wallingford 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.
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 it
limp and pitiful as they We're.
Mr.. ReZazzum, more violently in
famed than his unspeakable sweater
was a tornado of righteous wrath
whom Mr.. Wallingford endeavored
with no success at all. to placate with
soothing words and fond promises.
emo" shrieked Mr. Bezazzum. "Oi'l
have the law on yez. begob! You
promised me delivery on certain
date. have me 300 min engaged and
no houses to put them in. l could have
had the houses elsewhere. But, by
cheminy, I 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 a 100000 damage suit, so help me.
And that goes!''
Wallingford, in panic at Blackie's
audacity, but approaching far less
flan 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
we cannot be held for anything on that
score. In spirit of fairness, however,
we will do this much: We will pay the
freight both ways, take back the 800
portable houses and repay your 10 per
cent advance deposit in cash. Isn't
that fair, Mr. Bezazzum?"
"Hear, heart" cried Hickey Saunders
in a tone which tried to be exhiarat-
ing. '"rhat's sportin' offer, Mr.. Be-
zazzum.'
| Mr.. Bezazzum's answer to that sport
ing offer was immediate, picturesque
and violent. He had a contract calling
for the delivery of the goods to him
| within a certain specified time and de-
livery to Il carrying agent from which
lie 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
time, relying upon this company, he
had in good faith hired a regiment of
men for whose operations, in his behalf,
these portable houses We're 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 Il sum so large
that it staggered even Wallingfortl
when MI. Bezazzum had the careless
impudence to mention it. Mr. BezaZ-
yum 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, thought! There
might--that is, it was just barely pos
slble that there mi@ht-he a way out.
Hope, dim, vague. distant, glmmer-
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
ly possible that if the Speckled Bass
company, retaining its 10 per cent adj
vance payment, We're to relinquish the
goods in settlement of Mr.. Bezazzum's
damage claim Well, gentlemen, there
you were, and what were you going
to do about it or were you going to
stand suit, buhgosh!
AT last there's somethin tuiIly
sportin'," Hickey plucked up his spirits
enough to announce. "1s It correct,
gov'nor, that this gentleman will just
take the 300 portable houses and go
back home to BeZap, or Bezibber, or
wherever 1t is, and never-er-never
modest us again?"
CHATS his only term" vociterated
Mr.. Bezazzum.
''rhen it's perfectly easy" declared |
Hickey, 50 relieved that he could pluck
with interest at the mustache which |
would not come. "We don't want the |
bloomin' bungalows, do we, felows?'
The unanimous assent to this was a
closely concerted groan, but the groan
was emphatic.
"Then.' went on Hickey. still bright