Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1916-01-28
Bozzam felt his circulation stopping.

heavy upper lip to snarI at him VIM
dictively. "You cheap crooks thought
you could double cross me. You bought
stock in Bert elders name. You
loaned Marley enough to buy control
Any way you fix it you lose"
Bozzam reflected over that statement
carefully. He viewed 1t from every
angle. He twisted and slanted 1t and
turned it upside down to look at the
bottom. It was q fawless statement,
sound and solid in every particular. and
he admired it.
II believe everything they ever said
about you," he acknowledged and
laughed pleasantly. Nov, let's get
down to cases, Sledge. How can we
compromise this messY
Nothing doing. No double crosser
ever gets away from me-"
$50 I've been told" commented Boz
Fam. smiling with keen appreciation Of
some unlimited joke. 1T seems to me
this is now up to Moodson," and he
touched bell
A girl entered
"Send Mr.. Moodson in, please" said
Bozzom, and Sledge looked at his
watch.
Mr.. Moodson arrived and took q
chair opposite Sledge and on the other
side Of Bozzam, his mouth SO tightly
closed that one wondered how he could
induce himself to eat He looked at
his watch, but held the face toward
him like a poker hand and dropped 1t
stealthily back in his pocket, as If he
feared that some one might get the
time Of day away from him.
"Ive a queer little puzzle for you.
MoodsOn," said Bozzam cheerfully
"Mr. Sledge has determined to make
bonafide company out Of the Ring
City Rapid Transit, and of course will
not sell the franchises. He has put up
his $75O.OO0 and requests us to put up
our 100000 to complete the capitaliza-
ton. He knows that you financed the
drama at the recent stockholders
meeting; that you bought 1000 shares
of stock for $4,000 and loaned $4,000
on 100000 worth of Marley's. Now.
here is the case in q nutshell: If you
put up the 100000 to pay for the
stock in this new company it will drive
the other one out of business, and you
can get half cent pound for your
$4,000 worth Of stock certificates in
the old company. If you don't make
good on this subscription you get ex.
actly the same price for your old stock
as you would If you did. Now, what
is the answer, in view Of the fact that
Mr.. Sledge is absolutely implacable
and means to do US harm? l shall
leave you gentlemen to discuss the
question"
He left the two experts in silence,
facing each other glumly arross his
desk, and went into the adjoining
room, where he surprised the meek lit
tie stenographer by sinking on the arm
of bench and laughing noiselessly
until he grew purple in the face.
Timbers came in. looking much dis.
tressed for fat man. and surveyed
Bozzam in establishment.
"Slip me the good one" be begged
II need laugh worse than | ever
needed q drink OH the 18th of Janu
any,"
We've stnng Moodson! snorted Boz.
yum. For that matter. we all get
stung. but I'm willing to lose my end
Of 1t in order to see that inhuman ghoul
get his"
Timbers grinned to his full capacity.
which was much.
II didn't know you hated Old Gloom
as bad as I do. Where did he go to
die?"
Have a look" offered Bozzam.
pointing to the frosted glass partition.
In corner Of one Of the panes there
was little clear space made by the
scaling Of the glass, and to this Tim
bers applied his eye. Moodson's face
had turned sallow yellow and had
taken on an expression as If he had
just swallowed quinine, but beyond
this he had not moved, and neither
gentleman had said a word-Sledge.
sitting in comfortable enjoyment, wait
ing. and Moodson suffering intense
contraction of all his vital organs.
Timbers leaned against the wood
work to chuckle. Bozzam drew him
kindly away.
"Let me look" he requested. BE
sides. you're shaking the partition"
In quiet joy he watched the wordless
duel within for a moment, and then
he suddenly turned to the meek little
stenographer, who was placidly read
ing, and asked her to call up Marley.
What do you want with the fluff in
this pathetic hour?" inquired Timbers.
Hand him his" snickered Bozzam.
why does anybody get fussy with
Sledge? He turns one little trick and
unwhiskers the whole bunch of us.
clear down to the village heart.
breaker"
Fancy Bert?" guessed Timbers.
Where does that BARRIERS pride come
imp
II don't think son-in-law pulls off his
amusement park, does he?" Bozzam re-
minded him. reaching for the telephone.
Hello, Marley!' he called. I'm sur
prised to hear your voice."
"Why? inquired Marley stifly. be-
ing constitutionally opposed to any
thing in the nature Of flippancy and be-
ing always severe with Bozzam for
that very reason.
Because you're dead" Bozzam in.
formed him. Hadn't you heard it yet?'
II don't understand you" reproved
Marley. I'm very busy lust now. Mr..