The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-01
JOHN SMITHS THEORY
BY FRANK FllSoN.

down to his office. He had begun tC
earn enough income the year before
as a lawyer in the little manufactur
ing town, to justify him In claiming
| Mollie, whom he had loved since he
entered college, as his wife. But the
struggle was a hard one, and he had
only just been able to keep his home
together.
Then, . month previously, the
Adamson company had invited several
of the town lawyers to apply for a
salaried position as adviser. The
choice had really narrowed down to
two: himself and Herbert Johnson
And he knew in his heart that John
son was slated for the position.
II mere learning had counted. he
might have got 1t. But there were
other qualities. johnson was a man.
about-town, a frequenter Of the best
hotel, where he dined and met people.
But, most important Of all, johnson
was acquiring reputation as a man
who took hard cases. The Adamson
corporation would undoubtedly prefer
q man who was willing to attempt to
drive through the law. If 1t could be
done, to a lawyer who had his own
ridiculous scruples.
However" he said to Mollie. II be-
lieve there Is a good future for law
yer whose honesty will be so generally
recognized that it will 60 far toward
winning him every case in which he
appears"
And she had agreed. But that did
not help him toward the $4,000 posi-
ton with the Adamson corporation.
And that income, in addition to his
other work, doomed larger and larger
as the days went by.
Then he was stunned to receive an
invitation to call upon the corpora
ton.
In his best suit. which Johnson
would have scorned to wear, except
for gardening. perhaps, he made his
way to the big factory downtown and
was shown into the room Of the presi-
dent, George Adamson. fussy look
down and examined him with very
critical gaze.
But Mr.. Adamson thawed percepti-
bly, when his visitor answered the
searching questions that he put to
him. There John Smith knew that he
was on safe ground. His credentials
were certainly better than Johnson's.
and Adamson acknowledged himself
as highly pleased.
Nov let US come to practical de-
tails" he said. For instance-an old
inventor out in Dayton has a patent
that we are very anxious to secure. It
is an improved method Of manu-.
featuring gas furnaces, and II we
had It 1t would cut the cost Of produc-
ton Is per cent. The old man Is a
crank and has an inflated value Of his
property. He won't sell for less than
q million, which would mean no extra
profit to US for three years. Morally
we are justified in taking his patent
and manufacturing according to its
specifications. for the good Of the
country. It Is intolerable that one
know that he could not hope to find
the money to sue. Anyway. the case
would run for years, and all the while
we could be manufacturing. Very
well! But now. suppose he moved for
an injunction to prevent us manufac-
turing while the suit was pending.
How would you 60 about stopping it,"
PAY him his million dollars or
stop manufacturing" answered Smith
quietly.
Old Adamson glared at him. "You
?"-he beloved.
That would not be party to such
case" answered Smith. mo doubt
you can find men who would. am
afraid | am not the man you need.
Good-day, sir" And he walked out Of
the ONCE.
you'll hear from us tomorrow" he
heard the irate old man below after
him. But the threat passed over his
head. An hour later he was telling
Mollie all about II.
Dear. you did Just right" she said
But he saw the tears which she
vainly tried to conceal. and presently
she was weeping unreservedly upon
his knee.
The next morning when he saw a
letter from the Adamson people beside
his plate he remembered the presi-
dents threat. He laughed scornfully
as he opened It. What could the old
man do? II he threatened him he
would promptly bring suit for dam.
ages. or defamation Of character. He,
John Smith. did not intend to allow
that old rutiian to ride roughshod over
him.
He opened the envelope. Next mo.
ment he dropped the letter with a cry.
"Mollie! He's offered me the Job"
he cried in exultation. Then:
But I can't take 1t. dear. I wouldn't
work for such people,"
Let me read it. dear" said hi prac-
teal wife,
She took up the letter and read II.
Then, silently, she laid II before her
husband.
Dear Sir" he read. 1--WE shall con.
slider ourselves fortunate IL YOU will
consent to act as our legal represen.
tative at salary of $4,000 for the
first year. 1t may interest you to
know that Of the Ave lawyers before
whom We placed our test question
you were the only one who answered
It In manner satisfactory to u.s. Our
business has always been conducted
according to the best traditions OF
American business life, and we have
use only for an honest man"