Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-13
CHAPTER XIII (Contlnued)

yer. with no capital but an empty con
science and silver tongue, was the
first individual since Marley to Offer
q CLEAN of hope.
He admitted all that the preceding
gentlemen had said. and believed, him
self that the company was reduced &c
. pauperism unless something radical
could be done. He had believed this
SO thoroughly that he had lain awake
nights, trying to evolve plan for their
salvation.
He had evolved ia scheme where
by the company could not only raise
its stock to par but place 1t at a pre-
MUM; whereby the company could be-
come a monopoly, and extend its bust.
ness to meet the growing demands OF
the city, and become again seven per
cent dividend concern, capable of pill
ing up again tremendous construction
surplus. On his own responsibility ne
had gone to the organizer of the rival
new company, and had labored with
him for hours, to persuade him to come
to this meeting, and lay before 1t a
rather novel, but 1ife-saving PROPOSE
ton. Would the stockholders permit
him to introduce the eminent promoter
and organizer Mr.. Bozzam, who would
present his proposition in person?
The stockholders would. They said
30, with so vociferous and almost tear
full clamor that President Marley
could scarcely make himself heard to
obtain formal vote on the proposition.
Mr.. Bozzam entered, with his hair
not too smoothly brushed. nor his
clothes not so immaculate but that he
looked businesslike, and sat down
quietly in the seat courteously offered
him by President Marley. He was a
wiGe.shouldered man, with pleasant
countenance and good forehead, who
looked as if he had muscles under his
coat, and he was we'll liked by the con-
course. Little Henry Peters judged
that he was keen business man. but
square and said SO.
"Wagh." nasaled the tow-haired
neighbor. II wouldn't trust anybody"
"How many shares of stock have you
got?" asked little Henry.
Three" boosted the wattle-necked
one. my brother-in-law give 'em to
me-"
Mr.. Marley introduced the caller in
a few neat, aseptic words. He had
met Mr. Bozzam socially, and only hop
ed that he would prove as pleasant
commercially
Laughing gracefully at this clever
turn Of speech, Mr.. Bozzam continued
the introduction himself, stating exact
ly who and what he was-an organizer,
representing a group of eastern cap
italists, devoted to the promotion and
extension of the street railway indus
tries Back of his hackers were GER
tain huge electrical, steel and car
building industries. 1t had been his
pleasure to organize, and to put in
shape for immediate construction OPP
thriving city. They were ready to be-
gin laying rails at once, but it had been
earnestly represented to him that the
manufacturing interests of his group of
capitalists would be just as we'll served
by permitting the new lines to be erect
ed by the old company and after
conference with his principals, 1t had
been decided that if the Ring City
Street Railway Company wished to mo-
nopolize their legitimately anticipated
profits this could be done by the pur-
chase of their franchises, and good will
at purely nominal figure.
A buzz of satisfaction followed this
offer, and little Henry
Peters was for purchasing the fran
chises Immediately.
I'D have lost all my years of saving
II I'd sold my stock at thirty-f1ve,' he
told his neighbor.
81 don't understand it, but it's skin
game" announced the crooked-nose
man. "Who is this fellow, anyhow
Mr.. Marley turned to Mr.. Bozzam
with the frank smile Of a gentleman.
"And how much would your company
consider a merely nominal figure?" he
inquired, with smoothness.
1.-TWO hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars cash." stated Bozzam lightly.
Young Daniel B. Atkin Immediately
moved to accept that price.
mo-" holly yelled Bert Glider
II second the notion announced At
torney Tucker.
1T has been moved and seconded
that we purchase the franchises and
good will of the street car company by
Mr.. Bozzam, for the sum of two hun.
dred and fifty thousand dollars, cash,
stated President Marley, looking about
him with cool aloofness. Are there
any remarks?"
There were, perfect pandemonium
Of them, and out of the battle President
Marley recognized Attorney Tucker.
Attorney Tucker begged leave Of the
chair to ask Mr.. Bozzam just one ques-
ton. and received it.
Have you named your bottom fig
ure?" he wanted to know.
"Positively!" declared Mr.. Bozzam,
with vast firmness. e
Zone more question:: Are you en-
powered to close this deal?' f.
g! ann replied Mr.. Rozzam. Il have
4 free hand
Sledge almost looked at the genial
promoter.
Then we must pay the price, fer
vently asserted Attorney Tucker. 'This
IS a CLEAN of hope in the darkness, a
way out of our difficulties, solution
% our troubles. We have the cash to
purchase these franchises, which will
give us a practical monopoly Of the