The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-02-19
How Henry's Scheme to Grab
the Darbey Company
Was Frustrated.
WAS REVEALED BY ACCIDENT
Dishonest Agent of the Trust was
Exposed and Compelled to Take
Some of His Own
Medicine.
By RICHARD SPILLANE.

(Ccpyright Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
Mr.. Darbey considered the Darbey
Manufacturing company his own, al
though he owned only onethird Of
the 100000 stock He had started
the concern, carried it along some
troublesome years, put up the build
ings in which its product was made
and personally engaged every man
employed by the company. He was
Woodworking and rather obstinate. He
made knives, forks, spoons, etc Flat
ware is the trade term for such stuff
as distinguished from hollow ware,
the name applied to metal pitchers,
urns, cups, etc.
Some years the company paid dlvl'
dends. Some years 1t did not. When
the trust was formed Mr.. Darbey had a
chance to be taken in, but, despite the
advice Of some Of his stockholders, he
declined The terms offered by the
trust were not attractive. In addition,
he preferred to be Independent. He
objected to trusts.
Mr.. Darbey looked after the manu-
featuring end and the selling end. He
tried to look after everything. Some
men are that way. Business was none
too good for him after the trust got
well under way. He felt its competi-
ton keenly. He had trouble occasion
ally in meeting his pay roll. FIRE.
quently he had to ask the indulgence
of the banks. The more he went to
his bankers, the more they shook
their heads and advised him to reduce
the cost of production or economic
SO that he would not have to borrow.
When Mr.. Darbey went out on a
selling trip he usually visited New
York. One of the men at the Hard
ware club was Peter Henry. They
discussed the condition of the trade,
had luncheon together and occasional
ly visited show. They were quite
congenial. Every time Darbey came
to New York Henry suggested that
Darbey make him selling agent for
the manufacturing company.
Wanted to Be Selling Agent.
"You ought to give all your time
and attention to the manufacturing
end he would say. "You are good
salesman, but you ought to stay at
your factory. | can do better for you
at the selling end than you can do for
yourself"
Darbey would smile, but would not
answer.
This went on for several seasons,
Henry all the time becoming more and
more pressing in his suggestion about
the selling agency. Darbey had a
suspicion that Henry had connec.
ton with the trust, but was not quite
sure. Henry never would admit it.
One spring when Darbey started
on his usual selling trip he and Henry
met, as was customary. Darbey was
rather downcast. His banks had
warned him they would not carry him
much longer unless conditions i'm
proved. Conditions were not improv.
Ing and there were no signs that they
would. Darbey spoke without reserve
and explained the whole situation to
Henry. That gentleman said little I'M
til Darbey finished. Then he spoke
plainly.
You cannot 60 on this way, Oar
bey," he said. "You will have to d.
as l have told you many times 70,
must devote your attention to tn,
manufacturing end You will have t,
make me the New York selling agent
will take over all your product an,
market 1t. That will relieve you il
money matters.
i will make prompt payments and
If necessary, make such advances a
you require. The way you are goin,
there Is nothing but disaster to result
1t Is all very we'll for you to think 70,
can run this concern in the old way
but you cannot. You will have to con
form to modern methods. You pe,
sonally cannot both manufacture an,
sell. You are all right for manufac
turing, but you are not all right 70
selling. Now we had better talk owe
the arrangements for marketing you
stun through me-"
Henry Had Bought Control.
Darbey didn't like the tone of Hen
rvs speech and said so.
You are talking as IL you were Civ
ing orders instead of advice" he said
Henry smiled systematically.
Il am giving ORDERS" he said. "
have right to-"
What" exclaimed Darbey.
THAT Is what said" was Henry
rejoinder. Il have bought control O
your company. have been pickin,
up the stock for some time. | got |
cheap. You are working for me nov
and I want this business conducted
according to my IDEAS
Darbey gasped.
Henry continued: II mean 10 con
duct this business on business lines
not as one-man concern. You car
look after the shop up in Connecticut
I will look after things down here
You will be relieved of all anxiety.
am going to charge 20 per cent fol
selling. How does that strike you?"
1T is outrageous" said Darbey. Il,