The Lamar register., 1919-01-29

The president was fairly pushed to
the ropes, and he showed 1t.
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 hlandest oil could have been
no sinoother than his tone.
"Is that right, Dexter?"
"That's the way II looks to 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 unquestlon-
ing in any partners quarrel.
The president of tie 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;
thing"
And a checking balance for Imme-
diate necessities for another?' sug-
gested the banker.
With all his trained astuteness-
trained In KinZie's own school, ut
that-Smith could not be sure that the
gray-faced old Westerner was not set
ting final trap for him, after ALL But
he took the risk, saying. with "A decent
show of Indifference: "Of course it
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
from II pigeonhole 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. Baldwin's word was
worth something. and 1t might be dis
astrors to let these two get away with
out anchoring them solidly TO the
Brewster City National.
"Sign this. you two." he said. ~
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
nt II. II 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.
eve don't want this at all, Mr.. Kin
zie. unless the banks goodwill comes
with IT," he said with becoming grav-
ity.
"Tll stand by you" was the brusque
rejolnder. But it's only fair to YOU
both to sny that you've got the biggest
kind OF combination 20 buck you
n national utilities corporation with
the strongest sort of political backing"
II 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. II you please. Mr..
Kinzie. and we'll transfer 1t later. It's
quite possible that we shn'n't need It,
hut we are willing TO help out II little
on your discount profits. anyway. Fur
ther along, when things shape them
selves up a bit more definitely, you
shall know all there Is TO know. and
wen give you Just as good a chance
| TO make money as you'll give US"
When they were safely out OF the
bank and half square away from 1t,
Dexter Baldwin pushed his hat back
and mopped his forehead. ''They say
man can't sweat ht this altitude" he
remarked. I'm here to tell you,
Smith. that I've lost ten pounds In the
last ten minutes. Where In the name
of jumping Jehoshaphat did you get
your nerve, boy? You made him be
lieve we'd got outside backing from
somewhere"
81 didn't say anything like that. did
Ir
mo: but you opened the door and he
walked In"
That's all right; I'm not respoe-
sible for Mr.. Kinzie's Imagination.
We were obliged to have a little nd-
vertlsing capital: We couldn't turn
wheel without 1t. Put me In touch
with good business lawyer. and I'll
start the legal machinery. Then you
can get into your car and go around
and interview your crowd, man by
man. I want to know exactly where
we stand with the old stockholders be-
fore we make any move In public. Can
you do thatf'
Baldwin lifted his hat and showed his
fingers through his hair.
"I reckon can: there are only sixty