The Dickson County herald. (Dickson, Tenn.) 1907-1979, 1917-07-27
Copyright hy chas. scripnsr's Soaa
CHAPTER ix--continued.

ting at. Our banker cant run with the
hare and hunt with the hounds. You'll
excuse me II I say that you haven't
been altogether fair with T.naanyoni
Ditch. or with Colonel Baldwin, Mr..
Kinzle. A friendly banker doesn't
help sell ourhi customer. You know
that. as well Al DO. Still. you did
It."
Kinzie threw up his hands and tried
to defend himself. lit was a straight
business transaction. Mr.. Smith, As
long as we're IN the banking business
we buy and sell for anybody who comes
along"
mo. we don't. Mr.. Klnzie: we ppp-
tect our customers first. In the pres
ent instance you thought your Gus
toner was dead one anyway. 30 1t
wouldn't make much difference II you
should throw another shoyelful Of dirt
or so onto the coffin. Wasn't that the
way Of IT."
The president was fairly pushed TO
the ropes, and he showed II.
ANSWER me one question. both of
you" he snapped. Are you big enough
to fight for your own against Stantons
crowd?"
you'll see: and the sight Is going
to cost you something" said Smith.
and the blandest oil could have been
no smoother than hts tone.
rs that right, Dexter7"
That's the way X looks 10 me,
Dave" saId the ranchman capitalist,
Who whatever might be his limitations
In the field Of high finance, was not
lacking the nerve TO fight unquestion-
Ing in amy partners quarrel.
The president Of the Brewster City
National turned back to Smith.
what do you want. Mr.. Smith," he
asked, not too cordially.
Nothing that you'd give US, | guess
a little business loyalty. for one
thing"
And checking balance for imme-
date necessities for anothcrf' sug.
gested the banker.
With all his trained astuteness---
trained IN kinzles own school. at
that-Smith could not be sure that the
gray.faccd old Westerner was not set.
ting final trap for him. after all. But
he took the risk, saying. with decent
show Of Indifference: "0f course II
would be more convenient here than Ia
Denver or Chicago. But there Is no
hurry about that part Of It,"
The president took slip Of paper
from a plgeonhole and wrote rapidly
upon II. Once more his optimism was
locking horns with prudent caution. II
was the optimism however. that was
driving the pen Raldwin's word was
worth something and II might be dis
astrous to let these two get away with
ont anchoring them solidly to the
Brewster City National.
"SiSn this, you two" no said. II
don't know even the name OF your new
outfit yet, but I'll TAKE chance on one
piece OF two-nane paper, anyhow"
STnth took up the slip and glanced
ot II. Ii was an accommodation note
Tor twenty thousand dollars. With the
moncy fairly In hts hands he paused
70 drive the nall of Independence
squarcly before he would begin.
I'VE don't want this at ell Mr.. Kin
Eie, unless the banks goodwill comes
with H." he said with becoming gray
tty.
ri, stand by you" was the brusQue
rejeinder. "But It's only fair 10 You
both TO say that you've got the biggest
kind OF combination 70 buck you-~-
a national utilities corporation with
the strongest sort o. political backing"
II doubt X you can tell Us anything
thar we don't already know" said
Smith coolly, as be pu, his name on
the note aud when Baldwin had
signeds LET this 20 to the credit OF
Timshyoni Ditch. II you please, Mr..
kinrie, and wen transfer /, later. It's
quite possible that we sha'n't need II,
hut We are willing 70 help OUT little
On your discount profits, anyway. Fur
Their along. when things shape them
selves up hit more definitely. you
shall know all there is to know, aud
we'll give ron just as good chance
10 make money as yca'u give us"
Whea they were safely out of the
hank and half u square away from II,
Dexter Baldwin pushed his Ia, back
ard nsopp,,! his forehead. ''They say
man can't sweat at this altitude" he
rernssked I'm here to tell You,
Smith. that I've lost ten pounds In the
last ten minutes. Where In the name
NJ Jumping Iehoshaphat did ycn get
your nerve. boy? Yna made him 10
neve we'd got outside hacking from
somewhere"
Il didA', say anything like that. did
IL =.
No; hu. you cpeaei the door and he
walked IN
That's all right: Tn not respon-
Ssb.s fer Mr. Kinxie's imagination.
We were obliged 10 have a l,,'ie adj
vertislnc capitol; we couldn't turn
waesi without il, Put uae in touch
n