The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-08-04

Copyright by Chas. Scribner's Sons
CHAPTER discontinued.

ing at. Our banker cant run with the
hare and hunt with the hounds. You'll
excuse me If l say that you haven't
been altogether fair with Timanyoni
Ditch, or with Colonel Baldwin, Mr..
Kinzie. A friendly banker doesn't
help sell out his customer. You know
that, as well as l do. Still, you did
st."
KinZie threw up his hands and tried
to defend himself. at was straight
business transaction, Mr.. Smith. AS
long as we're In the banking business,
we buy and sell for anybody who comes
along"
"No, we don't, Mr.. Kinzie; we pro
tect our customers first. In the pres
ent instance you thought your Gus
toner was dead one, anyway, so 1t
wouldn't make much difference if you
should throw another Shovelful 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 it.
ANSWER me one question, both of
you" he snapped. "Are you big enough
TO fight for your own against Stanton's
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 his tone.
els that right, DexterT'
That's the way It looks to me,
noyo coiH hn ronohmop canit0liSt
who, whatever might be his limitations
in the field Of high finance, was not
lacking the nerve to fight unquestion-
ing In any 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 !;
little business loyalty. for one
thing"
And a checking balance for immc-
diate necessities for another?' suG-
gested the banker.
With all his trained aStutcncss-
trained in kinzie's own school, at
that-Smith could not be sure that the
Sray-faced old WeSterner was not set
ting final trap for him, after all. But
he took the risk, saying, with decent
show of Indifference: "Of course 1t
would be more convenient here than in
Denver or Chicago. But there is no
hurry about that part of it,
The president took slip Of paper
fNiuonnhnlA anA rani1lV
upon II. Once more his optimism was
locking horns with prudent caution. 1t
was the optimism. however, that was
driving the pen. Baldwins word was
worth something. and II might be dis
nstrous to let these two get away with
out anchoring them solidly to the
Brewster City National.
"Slgn this you two" he said. 81
don't know even the name Of your new
outfit yet, but I'll take chance on one
piece of two-name paper. anyhow"
Smith took up the slip and glanced
ut 1t. 1t was an accommodation note
for twenty thousand dollars. With the
money fairly in his hands, he paused
TO drive the nail of independence
sQuarely before he would begin.
1--WE don't want this at all. Mr.. Kin
xie. unless the banks goodwill comes
with It," he said with becoming gray
ity.
"Tll stand by you" was the brusque
rejolnder. "But its only fair TO you
both to say that you've got the biggest
kind Of a combination TO buck you
a national utilities corporation with
the strongest sort of political backing
81 doubt II you can tell US anything
that we don't already know" said
Smith coolly, as he put his name on
the note; and when Baldwin had
signed: LET this go TO the credit OF
Timanyoni Ditch. If you please, Mr.
Kinzie. and we'll transfer II later. It's
quite possible that we sha'n't need II
but we are willing TO help out a little
on your discount profits, anyway. Fur
Their along. when things shape them
selves up a bit more definitely, you
shall know all there is TO know. and
well give you just as good q chance
10 make money as you'll give us"
When they were safely out of the
bank and half square away from il
Dexter Baldwin pushed his hat back
and mopped his forehead. They say
man can't sweat at this altitude" h,
remarked. I'm here 10 tell you
Smith that I've lost ten pounds in tht
last ten minutes. Where in the name
of jumping Jehoshaphat did you Sc
your nerve. boy? You made him be
lieve we'd got outside backing from
somewhere"
II didn't say anything like that, dis
IT.
No; but you opened the door and h
walked ill.,"
That's all right: I'm not respon
sible for Mr.. kinxie's imagination
We were obliged to have q little ad
vertising capital: we couldn't turn 6
wheel without it. Put ME in touch