Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1914-02-05

world"
We are talking about profits, mo-
about the gum said Broadway. and
Josie burst into q ripping laugh which
he felt sure was OF the sort which
tinkles among angels when something
makes them happy on the golden
streets.
There vas that In this speech which
penetrated to the depths of the judi
cial system; 1t served as light to SHOW
the Judge what might be going on.
Although he had been comfortably set
tied for a long hours chat about a sub
ject which intensely interested him, he
rose abruptly and stood looking down
at them.
Welt" said he, and laughed. you
talk it over, now, with Josie. PM
guess I am a poor hand where figures
are concerned" He moved slowly
toward the door, and smiled at every
step. II want to ask nom about some
thing, anyway"
Jackson Jones was really embar-
raised for a moment when he found
himself alone with this old friend of
his youth, this simple little country
girl. But he knew 1t wouldn't do; he
was certain that it was absurd. To
kill time he referred back to what the
judge had said about the gum.
"Can you beat that?" he inquired.
"The best chewing gum in the worldi"
She looked at him with the serious
light of real reproof in her incompar-
able eyes. 81 don't think there's any
doubt about it, Mr.. Jones. The trust
people realize it. If they don't, they
certainly wouldn't be willing to pay
a million dollars for it."
They're willing to pay more than
that for it." he told her, feeling for
the first time a real interest in the
conversation. Before that he had been
absorbed only by the conversationalist.
Twelve hundred thousand they've Of
fered."
She was not pleased. ct didn't think
you knew that" she confessed. eThey
made that offer to your uncle several
months ago."
But what I've got to find out is
this: Am I in a position to hold out
against the trust for a bigger price?
You see, a friend of mine advises me
to hold out. Is business good, right
now?"
"Why, yes. We did over a hundred
and twenty thousand dollars last
month"
This was exciting news, and 1t x
cited him. "a hundred and twenty
thousand dollars worth of business
last month! Can / go down to the
bank and get that money now?"
She laughed at his commercial igno-
rance. "Why, certainly not!"
For an instant his heart sank as he
contemplated saying what he felt that
he must say, sank doubly deep be-
cause he felt that the confession he
must make might possibly disturb the
good opinion of him which he hoped
he had renewed in her peculiarly lucid
mind. But there was something in her
eyes that gave him confidence. And
there was nothing for it but confess
sion.
you don't understand" he ventured
stumblingly. "This is-er-between
US. The fact is-I'm broke! I am in
debt! I must get some quick money
and I want to know how much you
have in bank, right now"
"Our cash b~alance?"
yes"
She thought deeply for a moment.
Then she looked up with a smile Of
triumph. "over eighteen thousand
dollars, I should say"
He was dismayed. "Only eighteen
thousand dollars! And you did a
business of a hundred and twenty
thousand dollars last month";"
His manner worried her. "T hope
you're not thinking seriously Of going
over"
Going ove whereof"
TO the trust"
why? Don't you think the price
they offer is big enough?"
ct isn't a question Of price, Mr..
JONES'" she said, with flashing eyes,
"ft's the principle Of the thing"
you'll have to explain that to me-
"Why, think of what you're se1ling!"
she exclaimed. ct is the thing your
grandfather worked for and handed
down to YOU father; the thing that
he worked for and handed down to
you; the thing that you should work
for and hand down to your children,
then to their children, and SO on and
0 Why, think of what you're sell
ing!"
He was a little dazed, but, still, he
surely needed money. g" don't see
where there's any sentiment connect
ed with the thing"
you don't!" She gazed at him, as.
tonished, and rose and stood beside
the table, looking down at hirx
would you ruin the town in which
you were born? Why, your grand.
father was the founder of this town,
Mr.. Jones! Would you see seven hun.
dred men and boys turned out Of their
employment? Would you see the very
bread and butter taken from the
mouths of families?'
He felt he must defend himself. ex.