consisting of as many artisans as could be crowded on the job without standing on one anothers feet, began to construct the elaborate bridge which was to connect the two stores, and Mr. Trimmers publicity department was already securing column after column of space in the local papers, some of it paid matter and some gratis, wherein it appeared that the son of old John Burnit had proved himself to be a live, progressive young man a worthy heir of so enterprising a father.
CHAPTER V WHEREIN BOBBY ATTENDS A STOCK-HOLDERS MEETING AND CUTS A WISDOM-TOOTH
The alterations, expansions, new departments and publicity will compel the command of about that much money, Mr. Trimmer patiently explained; and while we could appropriate that amount from our respective concerns, we ought not to weaken our capital, particularly as financial affairs throughout the country are so unsettled. This is not a brisk commercial year, nor can it be.
Yes, admitted Bobby, Ive heard something of all this hard-times talk. I know Nick Allstyne sold his French racer, and Nicks supposed to be worth no end of money.
Exactly, agreed Mr. Trimmer dryly. This sixty thousand dollars worth of stock, Mr. Burnit, I am quite sure that I can place with immediate purchasers, and if you will leave the matter to me I can have it all represented in our next meeting without any bother at all to you.
Very kind of you, I am sure, agreed Bobby, thankful that this trifling detail was not to bore him.
And so it was that the Burnit-Trimmer Merchandise Corporation was incorporated at five hundred and sixty thousand dollars. It was considerably later when Bobby realized the significance of the fact that the subscribers to the additional capitalization consisted of Mr. Trimmers son, his son-in-law, his head bookkeeper, his confidential secretary and his cousin, all of whom had also been minor stock-holders in the concern of Trimmer and Company.
It was upon the day preceding the first stock-holders meeting of the reorganized company that Bobby, quite proud of the fact that he had acted independently of them, made the formal announcement to Johnson and Applerod that the great consolidation had been effected.
Beginning with to-morrow morning, Mr. Johnson, said he to that worthy, the John Burnit Store will be merged into the Burnit-Trimmer Merchandise Corporation, and Mr. Trimmer will doubtless send his secretary to confer with you about an adjustment of the clerical work.
Yes, sir, said Mr. Johnson dismally, and rose to open the filing case behind him. With his hand in the case he paused and turned a most woebegone countenance to the junior Burnit. We shall be very regretful, Mr. Applerod and myself, to lose our positions, sir, he stated. We have grown up with the business from boyhood.
Nonsense! exploded Applerod. We would be regretful if that were to occur, but there is nothing of the sort possible. Why, Mr. Burnit, I think this consolidation is the greatest thing that ever happened. Ive been in favor of it for years; and as for its losing me my position Pooh! and he snapped his fingers.
Applerod is quite right, Mr. Johnson, said Bobby severely. Nothing of the sort is contemplated. Yourself and Mr. Applerod are to remain with me as long as fair treatment and liberal pay and personal attachment can induce you to do so.
Thank you, sir, said Mr. Johnson dryly, but he shook his head, and from the file produced one of the familiar gray envelopes.
Bobby eyed it askance as it came toward him, and winced as he saw the inscription. He was beginning to dread these missives. They seemed to follow him about, to menace him, to give him a constant feeling of guilt. Nevertheless, he took this one quite calmly and walked into his own room. It was addressed:
When a man devils you for years to enter a business deal with him, you may rest assured that man has more to gain by it than you have. Aside from his wormwood business jealousy of me, Silas Trimmer has wanted this Grand Street entrance to his store for more than the third of a century; now he has it. Hell have your store next.
here, Governor, protested Bobby aloud, to his lively remembrance of his father as he might have stood in that very room, I call this rather rubbing it in. Its a bit unsportsmanlike. Its almost like laying a trap for a chap who doesnt know the game, and, rankling with a sense of injustice, he went out to Johnson.
I say, Johnson, he complained, its rather my fault for being too stubborn to ask about it, but if you knew that Mr. Trimmer was trying to work a game on me that was dangerous to the business, why didnt you volunteer to explain it to me; to forewarn me and give me a chance for judgment with all the pros and cons in front of me?
From the bottom of my heart, Mr. Burnit, said Johnson with feeling, I should like to have done it; but it was forbidden.
He already had lying before him another of the gray envelopes, and this he solemnly handed over. It was addressed: