The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-04-27
CHAPTER VII.

RESIDENT MARLEY smiled as
he met Bozzam. The two gen
tlemen agreed the weather was
I'm afraid you're too late, Marley
laughed Bozzam. "Our subscription
list is ready to close"
Il have all the street railway stock
care for" laughed Marley in return
Il only came up to take your meas
ure for the battle"
1T ought not to be so fierce," re-
piled BoZZam, in the usually friendly
manner of men who are about to
cut each others commercial throats
There should be room for two good
car systems in this town."
Not on the same Streets" objected
Marley. Don't you think 1t rather
foolish to parallel our lines, Mr.. Boz
zam! The route, as published. looks
like malice to me-"
Il have no voice in that matter,
declared Mr.. Bozzam, eying his caller
narrowly. You should see our ma
jority stockholder about that"
Il see." unused Mr.. Marley. "Whe
is your principal stockholder?"
Il believe the gentleman's name /.
Sledge-Benjamin F. sledge." Bozzan
informed him. with a smile. "Perhap:
you've heard Of him.
Yes. have" admitted Marley
whose smile was more or less strained
Friend Of yours, I believe" suggest
ed Bozzam. still smiling, ano still
studying Mr.: Marley's countenance in
terestedly.
Not extensively So" denied Marley
"1ndeed!' exclaimed Bozzam, will
a splendid assumption of perplexity
You know. ! find it very difficult t,
unraveI the personal, political an,
commercial relationships of all 20,
fellows. Frankly, have believed un
til now that you were in on the game
Gamer repeated Marley.
Il mean that thought you were t
benefit by the formation Of this ney
company" exclaimed Bozzam with o.
apparent trace OF confusion.
"Benef1tw exploded Marley. why
it has all but broke me. Do you thin
it's any benefit to a man to have hi
only valuable holdings reduced fro1
par to thirty-fveT
by George. I'm shocked!' sympa
thized Bozzam. "Why, thought 70
and Sledge were in perfect understand
ing"
Il don't know where you acquire
that absurd impression, but it is el
tirely wrong" asserted Mr.. Marie.
with much vehemence. "Mr. Slede
would do everything in his power I
hurt me-"
And ! presume that you would d
him a like favor if you had the u
portunity," grinned Bozzam.
Il would not say that" hastily r
turned Marley, feeling that be ha
enough trouble ON his hands.
You're thinking it, though" laugl
ed Bozzam. -,
MIR. Marley flushed slightly. but ke]
discreetly silent. ......
Il thought so." Bozzam chuckle
"MIr. Marley. how much Of the sto<
Of. the reorganized company do "
own?"
:: 1.-TWO thousand six hundred al
twenty-five shares" ...-..., -. J.
"A little over a fourth" comment,
Bozzam and drew a sheet of writil
paper toward him, on which he figur,
for moment ITO gain control ),
would need, 2.376 shares additional
he announced. How many of Il
4 stockholders would vote with you in {
emergency ?" siA'.3z<: Il, ..;;=s= ,,..lseY.<~.
!. Mot very many" confessed Marie
NATURALLY q share OF our trouble
blamed to me, and ana not very, pc
sular at present"
Certainly not agreed Bozza
"Fussing with pikers isn't safe, ar
how. You'd better buy. the Stock:
Buy it" protested Marley. Gre
Scott, man, what do want wi
more of it?" 49,. ....-
: Would you like to win out On, Il
little game of Sledge's?" ;:s;.,a -.,.,:
"Show me how" demanded Marie.
+ '.How active are you willing to be
inquired Bozzam Are you willing
jump through hoop?''
{. ~I'Il do anything that is lawful +
. Then. you'll go the lint. smil
Bozzam, "Your first step will be
buy those two thousand odd shares
thirty five Let's see" He figured
+ out. 4"1'hey will cost you a little o.
$4,000" ...Es,sstez-.z.s:91 .;ss.}}s, II, J,
II haven't the money" confess
( MARLEY. "Sledge has cleaned me .
of both cash and credit"
/ aBorrow It on your stock" 49,
~ can't borrow over twenty on it.
couldn't raise enough emmy total
! encountered stock
Bozzan walked TO the window &
/; looked down into the street for SO
! little time. during which Marley wat
! d him In silent wonder. struggii
! against his rising hope.
Il think l can raise loan for y
] If twenty" Bozzam reported as t