The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-10

to offer you but the stock, ana that
may not be worth the paper it Is
printed on II Jasper Grierson has
made up his mind to break me-"
sit down again and let US thresh
it out" said Griswold. How much
of a socialist are you, Raymer?"
The young ironmaster sat down,
gasping a little at the sudden wrench
ing aside of the subject
why. / don't know; enough to
want every man to have a square deal,
l guess"
Including the men in your shops?"
Putting them first" was the prompt
correction. ut was my fathers pol
icy. and 1t has been mine. We have
never had any labor troubles
you pay fair wages?
I'VE do better than that. A year
ago introduced modified plan Of
profit sharing"
Griswold's eyes were lighting up
with altruistic fires.
Once in a while, Raymer, a thing
happens so fortuitously as to fairly
compel a belief in the higher powers
that our fathers included in the word
Providence" he said. almost solemn
ly. You have described exactly an
Industrial situation which seems to me
to offer a solution of the whole vexed
question Of master and man, and to
ho q sood couinu uh;oh % hound 20
be followed by an abundant and most
humanizing harvest. Ever since
began to study. even in a haphazard
way, the social system under which
we sweat and groan. I've wanted in
on q job like yours. still want in.
Will you take me as a silent partner,
Raymer? I'm not making it q con-
dition. mind you; come here any time
after ten o'clock tomorrow, and you'll
ind the money waiting for you. But
l do hope you won't turn me down."
Raymer was gripping the arms Of
his chair again, but this time they
were not unpfeasantly electrified.
III / had only myself to consider,
shouldn't keep you waiting second"
he returned, heartily. But 1t may
take a little time to persuade my
mother and sister. II they could only
know you-why can't you come out to
dinner with me tonight"
For the only reason that would
make me refuse; l have a previous
bidding. But I'll be glad to go some
other day. There is no hurry about
this business matter; take all the time
you need-after you have made Mr..
Grierson take his claws out of YOU"
Raymer had filled the borrowed pipe
again and was pulling at 1t refiectively.
About this partnership; what would
be your notion?" he asked.
"The simplest way Is always the
best. Increase your capital stock and
let me IN for as much as my ninety
thousand dollars will buy" said the
easily satisfied investor. wen let
1t 60 at that until you've had time
to think 1t over, and talk 1t over with
your mother and sister,"
The iron founder got up and reached
for his hat.
"You are certainly the friend in
need, Griswold, II ever there was one,"
he said, gripping the hand of leave.
taking as If he would crack the bones
in 1t. But there is one thing I'm
going to ask you. and you mustn't take
offense-this ninety thousand; could
you afford to lose tor IL It your
whole stake in the gamer"
Griswold's smile was the ironmas.
ter's assurance that he had not of.
Tended.
1T Is practically my entire stake-and
can very weil afford to lose It IN
the way I have indicated. You may
call that paradox. if you like. but
both halves of II are true"
Then there is one other thing you
ought to know, and I'm going to tell
1t now, Raymen went ON. I'VE do q
general foundry and machine business,
but good fifty per cent of our profit
comes from the Wahaska and Pine
boro railroad repair work. which we
ho'O hou CNCt SlhC0 tuo IO6u was
opened"
Griswold was smiling again. "Why
should ! know that particularly" he
asked.
Because 1t is rumored that Jasper
Grierson has been quietly absorbing
the stock and bonds of the road, and
If he means to remove me from the
map
Il see." was the reply In that case
you'll need a partner even worse than
, you do now. You can't scare me of
. that way Shall look for you at ten
tomorrow"
AT ten to the minute" said the
rescued plunger; and he went down
stairs so full of mingled thankfulness
and triumph that he mistook Doctor
Farnham's horse for his own at the
hitching post two doors away. and was
about to get into the doctors buggy
before he discovered his mistake.
tro BE Continued
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