The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-03-24
The
Wreckers
BY
FRANCIS
LYNDE
oopyrish, By Ohas. scribnsrs sons
CONTINUED from Page q

1T Isl but luckily 7 can build rail-
roads as well as operate them; ana
there are other countries besides the
United States Of America. I'm on my
way home to Illinois for little visit
with my mother and sisters; and after
that / think | shall close with an
offer I've had from one of the Ca
madam companies"
Good boy! !" chuckled the Chicago
magnate. "In due time we might
hope to be reading your name In the
newspapers-'Sir Graham Norcross,
D.S.0.,' or something of that sort.
Then, with a sharp return TO the sort
of gritting seriousness: you've been
riding over the Pioneer Short Line
since early this morning, Graham:
what do you think of itT'
! couldn't see the boss smile, but |
could figure il pretty well when he
said; There may be worse managed
worse neglected pieces of railroad
track in some of the great transcon-
tinental lines, but If there are !
haven't happened TO notice them
| suppose it is capitalized to death
like many of the others"
Fictitious values doubtless have
something to do with II ut tbs pres
ent stage of the game" Mr.. Chad
wick admitted ut has always been
a good earning property, being largely
even yet, without much local COM
petition But from the day II was
completed its securities have figured
In the market only for their specu-
lative values. The property itself has
never been considered, save as
means to an end the end being TO
enable one bunch of the Wall Street
gamesters you speak of to make
killing and unload W another
bunch"
The old story" said Mr.. Norcross.
I'VE are humping over the net re-
suit, right now Mr.. Chadwick went
on. pioneer Short Line is practical
~ in the last ditch. The stock has
slumped to forty and worse; Shalfer.
the general manager and the only
able man we have had for years, has
resigned In disgust; and If something
isn't done tomorrow morning in Portal
City, | know of at least one minority
stockholder who is going to throw the
whole mess into the courts and try
for receivership."
Mr.. Norcross looked up quickly.
Are you the minority stakeholder,
Uncle Johnf" he asked, letting him
self use the name by which Mr.. Chad
wick was best known in the wheat pit.
II am-more's the pity. | had a
little lapse Of sanity one fine morning
a few years ago and bought in for an
investment. I've done everything
could think Of, Graham. to persuade
Breck Dunt0n and his Wall Street ac-
completes 10 spend just one dollar in
ten OF their reorganization and re-
capitalization stealings on the road
itself. but it's no good. Dunton has
been making an inspection trip over
the system with dozen or 50 Of his
New York cronies. It's a junketing
excursion. pure and simple, but while
they're here they'll get together and
20 through the form Of picking out
new general manager. I'm on the
board and they had 70 send me notice.
though it's an even bet they hoped
Ia stay away"
"Are YOU really going 10 spring The
recelyership on the Dunton people to-
morrow
I'm going 10 give DunJOn his
chance He can appoint the man
uant appointed as general manager.
with fun power 10 act aud ratify a
Utue plan I've got up ms sleeve for
providing a hit of working capital Tor
the road. or-he can turn me down "
rAnd Il be does urn you DOWN
-Thep IS George. til see # can't
persuade the courts p ont the prop
IS uu bankruptcy and ineaH my
nan as receiver
Z daat envy your man h.s 500
either vas around not TIE ieast iffle
uorsel 5 fhe world ssid ihe boss
quietly And then ~Who s. be-
Uncle lebBT'
Tie wheat king gave great laugh
Don't cell me Faa haven't guessed
-" b. ehuckled You're the man.
Graham
Egt n5w ar. Norrross had some
.lag 70 saz fg- hlmself sitting gp