The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-12-08
THE POLLARDS OF WEST GAP
 By Henry Payson Dowst

Burgess has helped me. and I've been o New York. and He spoke for solid hour His plan was sane, well advised, feasible. If only the stockholders would listen to reason.
 .'The troubles wiIton,' said Pol lard. He's lined 'em up as opposi- ton. They think we're out to rob them. Hes filled them full of rosy dreams of uneold milions-old pro motion stuff. It seems never to lose it's potency. A boob will always put his money into something gauzy, and never learns anything by being stung once.
 He'M go and do it straight over again." Then. as if fearful that some new eavesdropper might hear, Pollard said in a low tone:
 1T happen to know he's toasted he'll clean up half a million in the next three months, gentlemen, we've got to head him some way.
 The news of the coming mass meet ing spread rapidly Clarke's name was mentioned as the leading speaker for the bondholders. The Review was quite sure the young Napoleon of finance would have something to say worth listening to, and hazarded the opinion that 8 debate between him and President Wilton of the w. G. would be well worth traveling miles to hear.
 And then, one day, MT. William D. Wilton sent note to the Millett House, asking the pleasure of a short visit from MT. Clarke Pollard. Clarke went to see the railroad man at the Iatters office.
 "Now. Pollard" said Wilton, abruptly, T want to know what you
 That will be disclosed at the meeting.''
 T decline to be present.
 Then we'll have to hold it without I there to present your case"
 My case is already presented. I am in perfect harmony with the stockholders. The road is going ranging for the financing in fact, as you doubtless know, hundreds of stockholders have promised me they would back the project. Their bond
 t'The bondholders are not threaten in ganything, MT Wilton. They simply want hearing, an oppOrtun- ity to put the plan up to all the is a matter that concerns the welfare of the entire region. The bonders only want to do what is best for the pub-'
 Listen, Pollard" said Wilton "I know all that line of talk. Why young man, I was handing out that kind of bunk before you were out of knick- erbockers. But you do it we'll I ad-
 
 come down here. You own twenty five thousand dollars worth of the bonds. Suppose we make a deal, whereby you are paid your money?"
 "1 don't get you-
 "I mean, if you'll go along with me- instead of with that bunch of yaps, I'll gladly pay you twenty-five thousand dollars for a years work, and at the end of a year I'll give you a chance to make ten times as much, if you're as smart as I think you are.'
 Nothing doing, wilton," said trust you, and in the second place, wouldn't turn my back on the bond holders. I take it that's what you want me to do. double cross my
 If you want to call it that, yes But if you don't. what do you ex- pect?"
 q expect. with a fair show. we'll You're a professional promoter. The way you make your money is out of promotion, not out of legitimate earnings of a property. This road for your services, valuable as they are."
 Cant it?" sneered Wilton. Well, it's going to. And you're not going to butt in and upset my game. warn you"
 'Then you won't come to the meet lrg2" ing to use your influence with your bondh olding friends to caN it off,
 Don't make me laugh, Wilton.'
 eff I am forced" said Wilton, scowling, ito get up there on the the population of this half-baked burg. somebody'll have to pay!''
 ''Them's harsh words, Nell" said Pollard smiling.
 sETbaxybra trI1p And pay more than any one. I'll put the people wise to the kind of four husher you are. Wall Street Napo- leon and all the rest of the lies you've the laughing stock of this whole val ley, just so sure as you step your foot on that platform
 Very good" said Pollard, calmly, 1 If you want to get personal, we'll open up that little matter of the Cliff ton Unified Railways Corporation back in"
 Good God!" cried Wilton. Pol
 The railroad man glared at his young opponent from eyes that began 1 to burn with the cold fires of hate. | not unmixed with fear. Then a | threatening leer curled his mouth.
 ''If you pull anything like that he l snarled, you'll never get over it. If | this things to be for blood, the man | with the strongest weapon wins. And [ win.''
 I'm not afraid of ridicule." return l ed Pollard. T was born and brought | up in this town. Folks know me. | They'll stand for a little newspaper l fluff about me; but suppose I give 'em | 3 little hint concerning your record-'
 Not on your Iife,'' roared Wilton. | You don't darei The minute you | spring anything like that, you're dead l in this town, where you were born | a1.d everybody knows youI Dead and | buried! Know why? Well, then I'll | ell you. Who got away with Mrs. Regents brooch 9"
 Pollard shook his head.
 How the devil would I know?" he demanded; but he was blufffng des- oerately, and behind his defiant ex- -erior he was sinking, sinking-"You wife!" screamed Wilton. And l | xnow iti''
 CHAPTER K.
 Ghosts.
 Clarke Pollard stared at President t