Evening star., 1915-02-28


still sticks to that type Of hard-boed lid. Centrally
they're short-stemmed old ginks who seem to think
the high crown makes EN- loom up taller. Maybe
so; but where they find back-number hats like that
is beyond me.
Then there was the buff-cochin spats and the wide
ribbon to his eyeglasses. Beyond that don't know
as there anything real freaky about him. rich
colored old gent he is the pink in his cheeks shadin
off into deep mahogany tint back of his ears, maxim
his frosted hair and mustache stand out some prom
nent
He'd been shown into the private office a call for
Mr.. Robert; but as l was well heeled with work of
my own | didn't glance up from the desk until
hears this scrappy openin of his
Bob Ellins you young scoundrel what the blighted
beatitudes does this mean?" he demands.
Naturally that gets stretchin my neck, and
turns just in time to watch the gaspy expression
Mr.. Roberts face fade out and turn into chuckle
@Why, Mr. Baard!' says he, extendin' the cordial
palm. u had no idea you were this side. Really!
| understood, you know that you were settled over
there for good, and that"
$50 you take advantage of the fact, do you, make
president of Of your fool companies" says Bal
lard. @AIy imbecile attorney just let it leak out
What do you mean, eh?7
Mr. Robert pushes him into chair and shrugs his
shoulders. at rather liberty, admit, says he;
zone of the exigencies of business however When
meddlesome administration insists dissolving into
its component parts such extensive organization
ours-well, we had to have lot of presidents in a
hurry. Really, we d1Cn th1nk you m1nd, Mt BAL
lard and had intention Of botherng you with the
details"
4Huh!- snorts Mr.. Ballard. @And what is this
precious corporation of which I'm supposed to be the
head?s
4Why, Mutual Funding says Mr.. Robert.
Funding, eh?' comes back Ballard snappy. "What
tommyrot! Bob Ellins, you ought know that
haven't the vaguest notion as to what funding is
did and at my time of life, Sir, don't propose
to learn
aOf course, of course" says Mr.. Robert soothin
3Quite unnecessary too. You adequately and
efficiently represented, Mr.. Ballard by private
retary who has mastered the art Of funding, mutual
and otherwise, until he do it backward with one
hand tied behind him. Torchy, will you step here a
moment?"
aStopl7 says he. @I' not listen word of it. I'd
have you know, Bob Ellins, that have worried along
for sxty-two years without having been criminally
implicated in business affairs The worst I've done has
been to pose a dummy director your rascally
board and to that my letter of credit renewed
every three months. Use my name if you must; but
allow me to keep clear conscience. I'm going in
for chat with your father, Bob, and he mentions
funding shall stuff my fingers in my and run. He
won't, though Old Hickory knows me better. This
his door? All right. Thanks. Hah, you old free
booter In your den, are your WE'LL well!-
At which he stalks into the other office and leaves
Mr.. Robert and me GRIMM at each other.
I1S1ENED like you was IN Dutch tor a minute or
there, says |. 4Case of the cat comm back eh?"
aFrom Kyrle Ballard says he, zone expects the
expected Only need not worry about his wanting
to become the acting head of your department To-
next week he is quite likely to be off again,
bound for remote of the earth, hobnob
with the native rulers thereof participate in their games
of chance, and invent punch especially suitable
for that particular climate"
aGee!7 says l. 4That's my idea of perfectly good
Copyright. by se~en Ford. rights