The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-08-20
WaIlingfor(l In His Prime
Ry dEoadE RANDOLPH CHESTER
tcontln7n;sd.l
Copyright, 1913. by the Bobbs-
 Merrill Go.

4G0lAAA44 StAs1s Es5 You might enable me to increase say little investment in this establish 4nent that is, if you made the price of the stock low enough, suggested MT spooger. with the air of one conferrfng a favor.
 T haven't much to sell, Rlackie r1ld him. looking decidedly uncom- fortable couldn't possibly let go of enough to weaken MT. Bessmerss control of the company '
 MT. Sp0oRer was shocked that he should even conceive such an idea. s'So 6nssS am sure, would wish to in- Jure MT Bessmer who is very hon. est hard working business man. He has the respect and even affection Of the entire community. including my self, If you chose to sell any of the stock. how much would you want Or it.
 Par, announced BlaclSie affably
 My dear young man. expostuiate 1dr Spooger in stern but kindly tones. .'the stock has never been worth more than 50 per cent. and I'll guara ntee. that you paid even less than that for It.
 Par is The. price Blaekie patiently explained q have always said that if ever owned stock in anything I. wouldn't sell 1t for anytl,1ng but par. I like the sound of the word.
 1t doesn't sound half so well as, says $I5 cash. fhsinuated Nfr. spoo- ger. laughing like one giving away. groceries
 ssEsafs z repea ted Blackxs gently. but firmly ana lighted cigarette At that r II only sell you fifty shares
 
 buying up this stock, and wouldn't run the risk of much of 1t failing Into his hands. He'd put my friend Bess- 1ner light out lof his own shop and turn ft exer to the trust, z, am not an agent nor emissary for any ones stated MT. spooger, much. outraged t'I am investing or specu- lating, if you wish to call it SO. for my own benedt entirely '
 Blackie had particular reasons Of his own for doubtang that, bmt he dic not think 1t wise to say so. &aFdfty shares or nothing. and at par, z he asserted stoufly If sell ncre. than that I'H sell all. If have to weaken my ma Jor1ty Of stock want. Eo get out entirely. z
 Mr sp6oger stif1ed the pes like thumping Of his heart Would you
 
 asked quietly
 Well you see,'' hesitated Biackie, looking mournffl lly about the shop and over at BessmeFis office. teI like this business. and Bessmer, and the men, but I'm poor person, and to sell ont at par would mean big profit on nay invest tment- wouldn't sell to Jim Wallingford though don't think 2 he'd even come to me to buy it. 2
 This being the strict truth. Blaclxie had perfectly clean conscience when he said 1t
 ssE'l1 take those fifty shares at oar,'' Mir. Spooger slowly observed, after thinking long. long time. ssIf I were you would not say anything to Mfr Bessmer about it just now Suppose I eon1e oyer tonight and see you at your hotel.
 Make it tomorrow morning at 10 O'Clock. amended B1aekie 1T am not coming to the shop tomorHow fore noon MT. Spooger was busy writing him out cheek Here is $5.00O for your fifty shares. he stated, holding it with both hands for impressiveness Just think how little those fifty shares cost you and how much profit am giving you NuIHply that by the balance of your stock and think 1t overv' T don't lise to leave this place., noHrned BIaekie Tin teaching two of the boys over in the shipping room to dance the double clog
 Mir. spooger returned to Wasling 1ordis hotel triumphantly
 can get fifty shares Of that stock. he announced delighted to give WallIngford so much pleasure t'but you'll have to raise the price to s185.''
 allingford eyed him with secret sorrow that he was doing the man no harm @It's extortIont., he protested.
 can't get 1t for you for less. de clared Afr. spooger, seemingly sad that such was the case
 don't believe I want it at aII.s'' suddenly decided Wallingford.
 Why not s demanded Spooger in breathIess fright
 Because you have only fifty shares of it My instructions are to obtain control. and I'm beginning to be dis outraged about ft-'
 You buy. this fifty shares at the price I named, and I'll tell you some good news, promised Eli, with ex- ultant playfuIness.
 ssDo you mean that you can get all or 1t a'' asked WalIingford eagerly
 ssI believe that can," jubilated Eli and rubbed his hands over and over each other.
 ssThen I'll pay you $135 for this fifty with pleasure 7 and Wallingford jerked ont his pocketbook
 Mfr Spooger was sorry he had said that he could obtain merely the fifty shares, for he had the certificate in his pocket. However, he had made it an carly u1ctfo that if he could not entirely avoid evil he would avoid all appearance of evil.
 ssPll be back in ten minutes" he stated. You'll be right here, won't you And he eyed Wa1lingford's pocketbook anxfously.
 sRight here. Wa1lingford assured