The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-02-10
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Sledge walked into Marley's Office
with his parlor smile, the recently out
lived one which belonged of right to
the red rose he wore, and he sat down
before he began to speak His usual
method was to deliver his messages
standing.
''We ought to figure a consolidation, %
he suggested.
Marley considered that statement
carefully. He was, beginning to learn
that he really needed caution in deal
ing with Sledge.
Zone of us might be gobbled up he
sagely concluded. GAS understand it,
you own 75 per cent of the new COM
pany, while I only hold bare majority
OF the old one. It would scarcely be
possible that in a consolidation would
still have control"
WED have to pool our stock for
either one to hold it, agreed S1edge.
Marley looked at him wonderingly.
ct don't quite understand the advan-
tage to you in this,'' he puzzled Frank
~, Mr.. SIedge, I'd have to see that adj
vantage before could consider the
NATTER
There amt any" s1edge confessed
ST want to protect you If everything's
All right molly was just OVER
Yes; she said she was going to see
you" replied Marley, clutehing eager
1y at the straw.
II thought shed get enough stated
S1edge. and he chuckled. ''She's a
! smart girl.''
YES; she isl assented Marley. won
dering just how much she had said to
make such a remarkable change in
Sledge. "a consolidation would proba-
bly, be very sensible thing. It would
enable us to plan extensions, lines and
loops which would increase our reve-
nues tremendously, with no possibility
OF dividing the patronage. Moreover,
mere announcement of such a move
would add Immediately to the market
value of the stock in both companies"
Eve consolidate after the marriage
amended Sledge. eve get all ready
now
"Any time you say readily consent
ed Marley "I'l meet with you and ar
range the details tonight
s'Naw!" refused Sledge. "Theater to-
night"
with MollyY' inquired Marley,
wanting to smile.
Molly and Fern Ferns nice kid"
"An right; tomorrow night, then,''
U
fixed on the commercial opportunity :
Daytime corrected Siedge f'Tm
busy nights Say, Marley, is that game
between Molly and Bert called clear
onfTs
Did Molly say so?'' evaded Marley.
mo-" Sledge hesitated 'Is ft?''
That's entirely Mo1ly's affair."
ST believe you,'' conceded S1edge, and
again he chuckled as he arose to go.
! is there any objection to giving out
a hint of this consolidation 90 asked
Marley, with an instant thought that
at the very least this new turn would
enhance his price with the syndicate
which had proposed to buy him out
"Hunh-uhv' assented Sledge. 'sYou
better see Davis about your mortgage.
He won't extend, but he'll hold off
tsHn go over right away answered
Marley, anxious to take advantage of
that offer also as quickly as possible.
wait till tomorrow ordered Sledge
and stalked out, having but very little
time to waste
His way lay directly past the Grand
Opera House, and he stopped at the
ticket window.
give me box for tonight" he
grunted.
the tickets in his pocket.
Don't mention tt returned the
treasurer as nonchalantly and walked
back to the manager of the company.
What kind of a show is thss7s' asked
sIedge.
.saottenP' the ticket man Informed
E3m. ITS highbrow stuff, Hamlet y
''aunhg' grunted Sledge. ANY nau-
sic?'
Orchestra. Ophelia sings, but you'd
think she was having her teeth fixed
''Hunhg' observed Sledge again, and
walked out.
Two blo1.ss up the street, on his way
to the Occident, he stopped at an auto
I mobile saIesroom.
This working?" he inquired, point
ing to the shining big Limousine which
occupied the center of the floor.
"Au it needs is gasoline replied the
salesman.
t'Put some red roses in that flower
: thing, and send it up sledge directed.
'About dinner timer" surmised the
salesman. Possibly I'd better send it
up before, Mr.. SIedge. 1t has some i'm
provements your man might want TO
look into"
I'm send Billy down." decided
Sledge.
He turned to go when, in the ad-
joining window, he caught sight of
little, low, colonial coupe, with seating
capacity for three. 1t was of an ex-
quisitely beautiful shape, with small.
latticed window panes and dainty lace
curtains. He walked slowly toward
It, his habftually cold gray eyes bright
ening, and as he stood haf@-- . as