Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-22

he told his neighbor.
II don't understand it. but it's
skin game" announced the crooked
nose man. "Who is this fellow, any
how?'
Mr.. Marley turned to Mr.. Bozzam
with the frank smile Of gentleman.
And how much would your company
consider merely nominal figure:' ne
inquired, with smoothness.
1.-TWO hundred and fifty thousand
dollars cash." stated Bozzam lightly.
Young Daniel B. Atkins Immediately
moved to accept that price.
MOP hotly yelled Bert Glider
II second tie motion" announced At
torney Tucker.
1T has been moved and seconded
that we purchase the franchises and
good will Of the street car company
represented by Mr.. Bozzam for the
sum of S250,OOo cash." stated Presi-
dent Marley, looking about him with
cool aloofness. Are there any re-
marks?"
of them-and out Of the battle Presi-
dent Marley recognized Attorney Tuck
err
Attorney Tucker begged leave OF the
chair to ask Mr.. Bozzam just one ques-
ton and received it
Have you named your bottom fg-
ure? he wanted to know.
Positively declared Mr.. Bozzam.
with vast flrmness.
zone more question. Are you en-
powered to close this deal?"
II am" replied Mr.. Bozzam. ~ have
a 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
| to our troubles. We have the cash
| to purchase these franchises. which will
give US a practical monopoly of the
! city's street car business. We can Ell
| Their increase our capitalization or issue
| bonds to pay for our extensions. and.
| in the meantime, the moment we con-
clude this deal our stock jumps back
to par"
Loud cries of Question" came from
all over the hall. and little Henry Pc
tiers, after the demand had started.
shouted louder than anybody.
Young Daniel B. Atkins wanted to
make a speech and was granted that
privilege.
He was more enthusiastic about pay
ing out that S250000 than anybody,
and being professional whooper-up.
be used his clarion voice and silver
tongue to such good advantage that
the throng was with difficulty restrain
ed from rushing up to Bozzam and
paying him the money on the spot.
In defiance Of the madly expressed
ident Marley recognized Bert Glider,
Move to amend the resolution to
read fifty thousand in place of two
hundred and fifty" he shouted.
Second the motion" yelled a big
mouthed young man sitting next to
him.
Mr.. President" exclaimed Mr. Boz
Fam. rising to his feet. that amend
ment is positively useless"
A frantic hubbub arose The hall
was a sea of open mouths. Little
Henry Peters held his mouth omen
wider than any stakeholder present.
One could see his tonsils perfectly
He was helping TO howl down Bert
elders absurd amendment
! President Marley tapped his gavel
energetically.
! Il perceive that it is useless TO
waste time on speeches against this
amendment he announced Are
there any remarks to be made in favor
of it? The chair will permit FIVE min
utes for sucn argument" He waited
a moment No one arose. Attorney
Tucker stood up.
''If the chair please he began.
Are you about to speak in favor of
this amendment" interrupted the
chair.
No" replied Attorney Tucker
The chair refuses to recognize the
gentleman" announced the president.
1.-The secretary will take a roll call
vote on the amendment"
They endured that as men do. only
venting their emotions by the vehe.
mence Of their NO" on the roll call
vote. A scant few had the temerity to
vote Eyes" and were nearly mobbed
for their daring. The most Of them
kept their eyes on Bozzam in fearful
anxiety lest. offended by this proceed.
ing. he might withdraw his generous
offer and walk out, leaving them doom.
ed to extinction by his mighty rivalry.
ALBERT T. Glider" called the score
tary. "a thousand shares"
Yes" voted Bert and curled both
sides Of his mustache, looking across at
Sledge and grinntng. He had the in,
tense satisfaction of seeing sledge
turn, but was disappointed after all
Sledge did not look at him, but at
Hunt.
There followed another wilderness OF
"No's'' voted by holders of from i've
to hundred shares each.
; B. Franklin Marley" called Hunt
and this time he caught Sledge's eye
Il ,020 shares
Yes" voted Marley, with a snarling
ly triumphant laugh at Sledge, a laugh
which showed his teeth and made his
nose an acute triangle down over them
like the point Of a pen.