Evening star., 1915-04-04

was being contemplated against the Penn
Company. "It's only moonshine,' he
thought in relief. "It's only boy joshing
girl Dropping his ear attachment to the
floor, he interrupted the tGtea-tGte.
OH, Mr.. Slydc!" exclaimed Wheeler in
- surprise as he saw the aged financicr
approach, while the young stcnographer
tripped lightly away.
"Eh-eh," began the old man. "Ive
called, Mr.. Wheeler, because I've wished to
have a talk with you for sometime. | adj
mire your pluck, young man. You're the
only one | ever saw who had the courage to
defy Gorton am your fricnd-at least |
wish to be
Il appreciate your attitude very deeply,
Mr. Slyde,' responded the president.
"Not that | am criticizing Mr. Gorton,'
added the factor "He is very great imam
cer. But it is inevitable that he will defeat
you at the coming meeting
AT any rate, purpose to sit tight until
he does remarked Wheeler chccrfully.
"Yes-oh yes commented Slyde, gazing
vaguely into vacancy. "But wish to help
you. You know how it is down here,-a
president of a railroad who once opposes his
management is a ruined man. And | fear,
once you are put out Of office, you will bear
resentment against us-naybe even against
me-"
Certainly not against you, Mr.. Slydc.
HIM, very good; but one can never tell.
Now have a little interest, quite small
one, in an industrial concern the Carbol
Chemical Company 1t has not been con-
Quoted in accordance with presentday ethics.
feel that forceful young man like you,
keenly alive to the public temper, could do
wonders with its management. | am i'll
position to offer you the presidency of that
company, MIR. Wheeler The factor re-
garded the other with a pcnetrative glance.
"Your proposal is a very interesting one,
observed Wheeler musingly.
Il am prepared to offer you a salary of
fifty thousand dollars year
The president reflected for a moment. Il
shall take it into consideration he replied
slowly; provided, of course, that | am de-
posed from the presidency of the Penn Rail
road
"Oh, yes, yes, to be sure, that is under
stood said the factor hurricdly. Every
WE'LL then, we are agreed upon it? Good
day, Sir, good day, and Slyde left the office,
casting, in passing a musing glance at the
auburn-haired secretary, who was seated
busily at work at her desk.
THE large board room in the Penn Rail
road office suite had been arranged to
meet the purposes OF the annual meeting.
Forty to fifty men were present. There was
much shuffling Of chairs, rusting Of papers,
and conversation carried on in undertoncs.
A buffet luncheon was being served.
Early that morning Webster, the secre-
tary of the road, had come in and chantcd
something to this effect, "In tn absence O
tn presd'nt, vice presid'nt, 'rother of'ccrs
Of tn road, |, as scc'try Of tn compny,
move that W org'nizc by s'lection of chair
man ETC., etc.
The officers Of the meeting were selected,
and the chairman, declaring quorum pres
ent, proceeded to the transaction of business.
Tellers were appointed, and each side began
to check up its proxies. The work had pro-
cecded for some hours.
Usually this annual caucus was passing
formality; but this time there was witnessed
variation of the cut-and dried procedure.
For the first time in many years there was a
rival ticket in the field Wheeler ticket
contesting the Gorton nominations The
dummies were fighting the financcrs. Stock
holders OF the company had been bombarded
with requests from the opposing factions for
their support, and vicious campaign had
ensucd in Wall Street in scramble for the
proxies controlled by brokerage houses. SO
there were to be seen at this gathering many
unfamiliar faces. those of individual share
holders, owners Of small lots of stock, whom
curiosity or righteous Indignation had drawn