The first move of that body, after opening the meeting in due form, was made by Mr. Harvey, who proposed that Mr. Silas Trimmer be constituted general manager of the consolidated stores at a salary of fifty thousand dollars per year, a motion which was immediately seconded by Mr. U. G. Trimmer.
Bobby was instantly upon his feet. Even with his total lack of experience in such matters there was something about this that struck him as overdrawn, and he protested that fancy salaries should have no place in the reorganized business until experience had proved that the business would stand it. He was very much in earnest about it, and wanted the subject discussed thoroughly before any such rash step was taken. The balance of the discussion consisted in one word from Mr. Smythe, echoed by all his fellow-members.
Question! said that gentleman.
You have all heard the question, said Mr. Trimmer calmly. Those in favor will please signify by saying Aye.
Aye! voted four members of the board as with one scarcely interested voice.
No! cried Bobby angrily, and sprang to his feet, his anger confused, moreover, by the shock of finding unsuspected wolves tearing at his vitals. Gentlemen, I protest against this action! I
Mr. Trimmer pounded on the table with his pencil in lieu of a gavel.
The motion is carried. Any other business?
It seemed that there was. Mr. Harvey proposed that Mr. Smythe be made assistant general manager at a salary of twenty-five thousand dollars
per year. Again the farce of a ballot and the farce of a protest was enacted. Where now was the voting power of Bobbys twenty-six hundred shares? In the directors meeting they voted as individuals, and they were six against one. Rather indifferently, as if the thing did not amount to much, Mr. Smythe proposed that the selection of a firm name for advertising and publicity purposes be left to the manager, and though Bobby voted no as to this proposition on general principles, it seemed of minor importance, in his then bewildered state of mind. After all, the thing which grieved him most just then was to find that people could do these things!
CHAPTER VI CONSISTING ENTIRELY OF A RAPID SUCCESSION OF MOST PAINFUL SHOCKS
Whats the matter? he asked, surveying the unwonted confusion in perplexity.
The entire office force of the now defunct John Burnit Store has been dismissed, thats all! blurted Applerod, now the aggrieved one. You sold us out, lock, stock and barrel!
Impossible! gasped Bobby.
Mr. Johnson glumly showed him curt letters of dismissal from Trimmer.
Wheres mine, I wonder? inquired Bobby, trying to take his terrific defeat with sportsmanlike nonchalance.
I dont suppose there is any for you, sir, inasmuch as you never had a recognized position to lose, replied Johnson, not unkindly. Did the board of directors elect you to any salaried office?
Why, so they didnt! exclaimed Bobby, and for the first time realized that no place had been made for him. He had taken it as a matter of course that he was to be a part of the consolidation, and the omission of any definite provision for him had passed unnoticed.
The door leading to his own private office banged open, and two men appeared, shoving through it the big mahogany desk turned edgewise.
What are they doing? Bobby asked sharply.
Moving out all the furniture, snapped Applerod with bitter relish. All the office work, I understand, is to be done in the other building, and this space is to be thrown into a special cut-glass department. I suppose the new desk is for Mr. Trimmer.
Furious, choking, Bobby left the office and strode back through the store. The first floor passageway was already completed between the two buildings, and a steady stream of customers was going over the bridge from the old Burnit store into the old Trimmer store. There were very few coming in the other direction. He had never been in Mr. Trimmers offices, but he found his way there with no difficulty, and Mr. Trimmer came out of his private room to receive him with all the suavity possible. In fact, he had been saving up suavity all morning for this very encounter.
Well, what can we do for you this morning, Mr. Burnit? he wanted to know, and Bobby, though accustomed to repression as he was, had a sudden impulse to drive his fist straight through that false circular smile.
I want to know what provision has been made for me in this new adjustment, he demanded.
Why, Mr. Burnit, expostulated Mr. Trimmer in much apparent surprise, you have two hundred and sixty thousand dollars worth of stock in what should be the best paying mercantile venture in this city; you are vice-president, and a member of the board of directors!
I have no part, then, in the active management? Bobby wanted to know.
It would be superfluous, Mr. Burnit. One of the chief advantages of such a consolidation is the economy that comes from condensing the office and managing forces. I regretted very much indeed to dismiss Mr. Johnson and Mr. Applerod, but they are very valuable men and should have no difficulty in placing themselves advantageously. In fact, I shall be glad to aid them in securing new positions.