Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-13

the bottom I think you'll find our afore
said Sledge as the principal owner
You're good barroom kidder but YOU
have skull of solid bone" gently chideo
Bozzam. "sledge slid from under every
share of his stock while he could extract
hundred for It. He may own a major.
lty Of it by and by, but he'll buy II In
for S5 or less and boost II to a hundred
after the old company has bought our
franchises, with the pretty quarter of o
million II got for that new stock. Then
he'll probably sell out and stampede II
again so lie can buy it up for 35."
Solid bone was right" acknowledged
Timbers. 81 suppose nobody owns that
stock just now"
Not enough of IL to do any good" de-
cided Bozzam
Maybe the wreck has the biggest nest
egg" suggested Timbers.
The wreCk2 Whom do you mean?"
The telephone bell rang. Timbers an
swered II, covered the transmitter with
his hand and turned to oozzam with n
grin.
Marley" he answered
Marley" repeated Bozzam. Tell him
TO come up. Timbers, duck" he directed
as soon as the invitation had been ex-
tended. "Moodson. l think I'll have to
be mysterious with President Fluff"
Mr.. Moodson arose amid vast silence,
looked at his watch and went away to
keep a deferred appointment with mel
ancholy solitude. Tlmbers jerked on his
collar with fat speed, removed the high
ball glasses into the bathroom, snatched
a towel, newspaper and a napkin from
the bed, patted up the pillows, grabbed
his hat and was gone.
MIR. Marley came in with smiling cor
dlality. almost equal to Bozzam's own,
and the two gentlemen agreed that the
weather was very fine.
I'm afraid you're too late, Marley
laughed Bozsam. "Our subscription list
is ready to close
II have all the street railway stock
l care for" laughed Marley in return.
"I only came up to take your measure
for the battle"
ut ought not to be so fierce" replied
Bozzam, in the usually friendly manner
of men who are about to cut each other 8
commercial throats. There should be
room for two good car systems In this
town"
Not on the same Streets" objected
Marley. Don't you think 1t rather fool
ish TO parallel our lines. Mr. Bo2zam?
The route. as published, looks like NAL
ice to me-"
"I have no voice in that matter de-
clared Mr.. Bozzam, eyeins his caller
narrowly. "You should see our majority
stockholder about that"
IT see," unused Mr.. Marley WHO
Is your principal stockholder|
II believe the gentleman's name Is
Sledge-Benjamin F. Sledse," Bozzam
informed him, with smile. perhaps
you've heard of him"
Yes, I have" admitted Marley. whose
smile was more or less strained.
Friend of yours, ! believe" suggested
Bozzam, still smiling, and still studying
Mr.. Marley's countenance interestedly.
Not extensively So" denied Marley
'Indeedr' exclaimed Bozzam, with a
splendid assumption of perplexity. You
know, find it very difficult to unravel
the personal, political an commercial
relationships of all you fellows. frank
", l have believed until now that you
were in on the game"
"Game?" repeated Marley.
II mean that I thought you were to
benefit by the formation of this new conf
pany," exclaimed Bozzam. with an ap-
parent trace of confusion
"Benefit!" exploded Marley. Why It
has all but broke me. Do you think
it's any benefit to a man to have his only
valuable holdings reduced from par to
thlrty-five?"
by George. I'm shocked" sympathized
Bozzam. "Why, thought you and Sledge
were in perfect understanding; that he
was working for your interests, and you
for his"
II don't know where you acquired that
absurd impression, but 1t is entirely
wrong" asserted Mr. Marley with much
vehemence Mr.. Sledge would do every
thing in his power to hurt me- as he has
proven to me in the last week"
And l presume that you would do him
a like favor, If you had the opportunity,
grinned Bozzam.
II would not say that" hastily returned
ha had enough
trouble on his hands, without mourning
any more by fool remarks.
You're think it. though" laughed Boz
zam,
Mr.. Marley flushed slightly. but kept
discreetly silent
II thought So" Bozzam chuckled. "Mr.
Marley, how much OF the stock of the
reorganized company do you own?"
1.-TWO thousand, six hundred and
twenty-five shares"
"A little over a fourth" commented
Bozzam, and drew a sheet of writing
paper toward him, on which he figured
for a moment. ITO gain control, you
would need two thousand three hundred
and seventy-six shares additional" he
announced. How many of the stock
holders would vote with you, in an
emergency"
Not very many" confessed Marley.
Naturally a share of our trouble IS
blamed to me, and l am not very popular
at present"
Certainly not" agreed Bozzam. Fuss
ing with pikers isn't safe, anyhow. You'd
better buy the stock. Sledge has very
kindly made 1t cheap for you"
Buy it," protested Marley. Great
Scott, man, what do I want with more
OF it?"
would you like to win out on this
little game OF Sledge's?"
SHOW me how" demanded Marley.
How active are you willing to be2" In
quired Bozzam. Are you willing to Jump
through a hoop?"
"Ill do anything that is lawful"
Then you'll go the limit" smiled Boz
zam. "Your first step will be to buy
those two thousand odd shares, at thirty
five. Let's see" He figured II out.
They will ask you a little over eighty
three thousand dollars"
II haven't the money" confessed Mar
ley "Sledge has cleaned me out of
both cash and credit"
Borrow II on your stock"
81 can't borrow over twenty on II.
I couldn't raise enough on my total un-
encountered stock"
Bozzam walked to the window, and
looked down into the street for some
little time. during which Marley watch
ed him In silent wonder. struggling
against his rising hope.
II think / can raise a loan for you. at
twenty" Bozzam reported as the re-
suit of his deliberation. "If that Is NOT
enough. 1 might have It arranged TO buy
the balance needed, nd vote 1t with
you"
"But what Is the planP' demanded
Marley. Il don't see what good control
OF a ruined company is going to do me;
nor why l should break myself buying