Evening star., 1929-11-17


time John was here he said something that dis
turbed me. And then he's written me two or
three notes that disturb me. I've told you
you're no business man. r"
what was it he said?"
"I couldn't repeat it. dear, but it was more his
manner than his words. hate to have you
think I'm silly, only-Id feel lot better II
you'd get out of it."
'T>HE doctor petted her. eyes, my dear, you're
silly. Johns as overworked as am, right
now, and it's perfectly natural for him to spill
over-especially to you"
But she continued to harass him until, IN
mid-January, his pose flew away from him and
his colleagues ordered him to take a long vaca-
ton. To finance 1t he had to dispose of some
Of his chemical stock and he sent for Bradburn.
Even to the doctors unsuspicious eyes Brad
burn seemed i'll at ease. But this was appar-
emily explained in Bradburn's first sentence.
"IT tell you. DOCTOR" he said, that we've
had hard shedding, and for the moment your
stock isn't worth what you paid for 1t. But
you get in touch with the local brokers and get
their best bid and then I'll pay you three points
more than anybody else will. Is that fair2"
The doctor was grateful, but he was somewhat
startled to learn that the best bid was IL. Be-
tween IL and so there is q considerable differ
ence.
WELL said the broker, cautiously. didn't
you see their statement, first Of the year? I
don't say it won't straighten out in the long rum
but the price is H."
The doctor sold Bradburn 500 shares at Il,
and assured his wife that the company's
troubles were transient, and that his own conf
dence would some day make him a millionaire
Her swift reaction included plea and VOW
The VOW was that she would never speak to
John Bradburn again as long as she lived. The
plea was for the doctor to Iquidate his capital
while he had the chance. But her vehemence
sent him into relapse and delayed their sail
ing for the south of France, and-as he feebly
reminded her-hs return to a lucrative prac-
tice.
Long before his vacation was done, however,
he perceived that hts practice would never
again support his family. Furthermore. the
California climate was now recommended for
him. But he needed funds and he had nothing
In the world but $500 shares of Bradburn
common.
He sold Bradburn q sizable block at IL; but
when, later he telegraphed from Los Angeles,
the best local quotation was 71a, so that Brad
burn paid only 105. at last the doctor cleared
out his entire holdings at 10 In order to have
fixed income. On this fixed income and scat
tering of meager fees the Fernies lived doggedly,
and Mrs. Fernie never again reminded her hus-
band that he was no business man. She didn't
have to- Because for the first few seasons it
would have hurt too cruelty and after that 1t
would have been too tragic For in 1914 that
stock was returning per cent and then there
was q war.
Six years after the armistice the Fernies both
died In the same month, which was the same
month that Bradburn Chemical scared to 40
on the New York Stock Exchange-and cheap
at that
TEN years later; fair and warmer; the ba-
rometer rising, and the clock running well
into the afternoon; the scene hbrary-the Ii
brary of John Bradburn, the president of Brad
burns Chemical Works, Inc.
The president was sitting at fiat-topped ma
hogany desk and regarding his son, the secre-
tary Of the works, who was frowning into
-leafed book of production sheets. Between
the two men there was a strong resemblance,
but the secretary had the milder eyes and q
jaw which was the more becoming because 1t
wasn't quite squarely mitered.
The president, regarding his son. smiled COM
placently. splendid youngster, Philip-in-
dustrious, amenable, intelligent and affection
ate. What more could a father want?
He glanced at his desk clock and was about
to speak when suddenly his expression became
extraordinarily hard and blank.
His son looked up quickly. Foot bothering
you, father?"
TITS all over" said the president shortly
'Why, this interview with-what's his name?
Kent? Noel Kent? 1t was for 8, wasn't It?
And it's 10 minutes Of Well, I'll give you q
useful tip, Phil. When a man really wants to
sell he's right on the dot. That's my expert
ence"
The secretary preserved his frown. Then
from the tone of that letter you showed me
I've got hunch that Noel Kent's going to be
late"
"What?" Mr.. Bradburn sorted out sheet
from the pile on his blotter. You don't sup
pose this ballyhoo means anything, do you?
"If ne wouldn't sell, then what's he coming
out here for? No, Phil, he is coming out, SO
it's only a matter of terms And If he's on
time they're my terms. That lands exactly