Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-01-16

OUeEe pOCKefbOOK.
and the mild eyes of Mr.. spooger took on
the passing expression of twin needles.
"of course they will not sell stock to you
at the factory" he conjectured, watching
hungrily as Waliingford counted out the
money, and noticing thirstily that the sub
traction OF THIS amount made scarcely any
Not n share" laughed Wallingford. They
know who am, and what wants moreover.
1 don't imagine the new assistant manager
would sell to anyone who would sell to me"
Possibly not" unused Mr.. Spooger IT
have heard that Mr.. Daw is very curious
He paused. now. as his fingers touched the
money. and nothing more was breathed by
either gentleman until he had counted It
three times. and felt each bill. and held it
IF I should secure some Of his stock. I
suppose you would be in the immediate mar
ket for ~" he suggested. after he had de.
posted the money in his safe and twirled
AT the present moment" declared MT
Wallingford, with a trace of vindictiveness
have every share Of the Bessmer stock taken
away from Mr. Daw."
Blackie Daw. who had in perfection what
Is known the healer's touch, was ex-
tracing with huge magnet. an iron fling
Eli spooger called, and he positively refused
TO talk business in the emergency hospital
tern room back Of his desk. The workman
came out with him, by and by, bandaged,
y.
Il wish TO talk with you quite in private
just by two selves began Mr.. Spooger
with kind playfulness. drawing Blackie on
you might enable me to increase my
little investment in this establishment; that
-, ySu mSdH the price s OF the stock sS low tS
air of one comforting a favor
Il haven't much 20 SELL" Blackie told
him, looking decidedly uncomfortable. II
couldn't possibly let go OF enough to weaken
MI Bessmer's control of the company"
Mr.. spooger was shocked that he should
even conceive such idea. mo one, am
sure. would wish to injure Mr.. Bessmer. who
10 very honest. Woodworking business
man He had the respect and even affection.
OF the entire community, Including myself.
II you, chose to sell any OF the stock, how
much would you want for itT
Par" announced Blackie affably.
my dear young man. expostulated Mr..
spooger in stern but kindly tones The
stock has never been worth more than nifty
per cent. and I'll guarantee that you paid
even less than that for It."
"Par." repeated Blackie. gently but firmly.
and lit a cigarette. AT that. I'll only sell
you nifty shares. understand that Jim
wSilingford,s buying up this stock and, ana
into his hands. He'd put my friend BesSmer
right out Of his own shop. and turn It over
IT am not an agent or emissary for any
one, Stated Mr.. Spoogsr. much outraged II
am am investing =, or speeSi1ting II you wish to
Blackie had particular reasons of his own
for doubling that but he did not think IL
Fifty shares or nothing and at par" he
asserted stoutly. III sell more than that,
TIL sell ALL II have to weaken my ma
1ority OF stock, want to get out entirely"
Mr.. spooger stilled the psa-like humping
OF hls heart. would you seriously con-
template selling allT' he asked quietly.
We'll, you Gee," hesitated Blackie, look
Ing mournfully about the shop. and over At
Bessmer's ONCE: IT like this business ana
ss s ana the men but I'm poor person.
pront on my investment 1 wouldn't sell 10
Jim wallingford. though don't think he'd
This being the strict truth, BlaOk,. h.a 4.
psrtectly clean conscience when he said r.
I'll take those atty shares. at par" Mr..
bpooger slowly observed, after thinking a
long. long time. III were you. would not
say anything to Mr.. Bessmer about it just
now suppose l come over tonight. and see
MT spooger was busy writing him out =
your nfty shares" he stated. holding IL with
both hands for impressiveness. Just think
how little those nifty shares cost you, and
now much pront am giving you! Multiply
that by the balance of your stock. and think
Mr.. spoogsr returned to waliingford'a no.
tel triumphantly.
II can get you nifty shares of that Stock
he ann SS Ssish ta to give wsningfCrd
the price to a hundred and thirty-nve dol
wallIngford eyed him with secret sorrow
that he was doing the man no harm. It's
sxtortion" he protested.
named. and I'll tell you some good news"
promised ELI with exuitant playfulness
do you msen that you can secure all Of
itr' asked Waningford eagerly.
7 believe that can" Jubiiated ELL and
rubbed his hands over and over each other
Then III pay you a hundred and thirty
inEford Jerked out his pocketbook.
Mr.. SpOoger was sorry he had said that
he had the certificate IN his pocket How
ever. he had made IL an early motto that, IL
he could not entirely avoid evil. he would
It'll be back In ten minutes" he stated.
You'll be right here, won't your and he
sS sR,sht hsSs% waiIinsferS sssureS him
q half. III I can secure the remainder Of
TO raise the price above hundred and
thirty-nve," he suggested, being quite GER
tain that this was the limit which Wailing-
Il should say you would not raise the
careless, but I don't mean any harm 70
win you pay a hundred ana thirty-nvsr'
6poOger wanted TO be assured.
lars a share for every share Of Bsssmer
stock that you sell me from now on" Wall
ingforc truthfully answered,
VII
An English gentleman with broad checked
clothes. monocle. flowing yellow mustachsa
and tive young and beautiful ladies' one
brown eyed and one blue. dropped into town
that evening ana asked numerous questions
about the Bessmer plant; Its reliability. Its
capacity, its expansion and every other lead
lions in the places where they would most
rapidly circulate, he called on Mr.. WallinG-
s ford, and held = lens ionf secret conference:
Eetiating for munitions Of war TO be made
at the Bsasmsr plant