Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1916-08-10

effect upon the subject. The noting
was apparently satisfactory, since he
went on with the steady assurance Of
one who sees his way clearly.
"That brings us down to business,
Brouillard. / don't mind admitting
that had an object In asking you to
dine with me this evening. It's this:,
we feel that in the reorganization Of
the power company the government,
which will always be the largest con-
sumer, should be represented in some
effective way; that its interests should
be carefully safeguarded. It is not so
easy as 1t might seem. We can't ex-
actly make the government q stock
holder"
NO." said Brouillard mechanically
The underdepths were stirring, heav.
ing as II from mighty ground
swell that threatened tidal wave of
Overturnings.
I'VE are going to make you the gov
eminent director, with full power to
Investigate and to act. And we're not
going to be mean about 1t, either. The
capital stock Of the company is ten
millions. with shares Of a par value
of one hundred dollars each, full paid
and nonassessable. Don't gasp; we'll
cut nice little melon on that capitali-
zation every thirty days, or my name
isn't Cartwright"
But / have no money to invest"
was the only form the younger mans
protest took.
I'VE don't need your money" cut in
the financier with curt good nature.
What we do need is a consulting en-
gineer man who, while he is one Of
US and identified with US, will see to
1t that we're not tempted to gouge our
good Uncle Samuel"
Brouillard smoked in silence for a
full minute before he said: "You know
as we'll as do, Mr.. Cartwright, that
1t Is an unwritten law of the service
that civilian employee of the govern
ment shall not engage In any other
business"
mo, / don't" was the blunt reply.
"Supposing your father had left you
hundred thousand dollars to invest In
stead of debt Of that amount-you
see, l know what load your keen
sense of honor is making you carry
suppose you had this money to invest,
would your position in the reclamation
service compel you to lock it up in q
safety vault?"
Certainly not, but II the department
should learn that 1 am stakeholder
in a company from which 1t buys its
power"
There wouldn't be word said-not
one single word. They know you in
Washington, Brouillard, better per-
haps, than you think they do. They
know you would exact a square deal
for the department even If 1t cost you
personal money. It's your duty and
part of your job as chief of construc-
ton. And we'll leave the money con-
sideration entirely out of 1t If you like.
You'll get stock certificate, which
you may keep or tear up or throw into
the wastebasket, just as you please. II
\ you keep it and want to realize on It
at any time before you begin to put
the finishing forms on the dam, I'll do
this: I'll agree to market it for you
at par. Now let's quit and go and find
Gene. She'll think we've tippled our
selves under the table,"
"One moment" said Brouillard. IT
couldn't serve as your engineer, Mr..
Cartwright, not even in a consulting
capacity. Call 1t prejudice or anything
else you please, but simply couldn't
do business in an associate relation
with your man Hosford."
Cartwright had risen, and he took
his guest confidentially by the button
hole.
do you know, Brouillard, Hosford
gets on my nerves, too? Don't let that
influence you. Well let Hosford go.
We needed him at first to sort of knock
things into shape; it takes a man Of
his caliber in the early stages Of a
project like ours, you know. But he
has outlived his usefulness and we'll
drop him. Let's go upstairs"
Late In the evening Brouillard
passed out through the cafe Of the
Metropole on his way to his quarters.
There were few late diners at the
tables, and Bongras, SNUG and compla-
cent in evening regalia, was waddling
about among them like q glorifled
head waiter.
Holding the engineer for moment
at the street door, I'll been wanting
to h-ask you" whispered the French
man with quick-hung glance for the
diners at the nearest Of the tables,
"doze hood-when she is coming,
M'sieu' Brouillard?
when we get the dam completed"
you'll bet money hon dat?-h-all
de money you got?"
"Why should you doubt it?"
Moi, don't doubt nottings; make
de grass to be cut vile de sun is shine
But I'll been hearing somebody say
dat maybe-so dis town she grow 80 fas
and so beeg dat de government is not
going to drown her."
who said that?"
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