The Boss of Wind River

s. It became a breathing, throbbing creature, sensitive to the touch, thriving with attention, languishing with neglect. It was a delicate organism, wonderfully responsive to

logging bosses, silent for the most part, not at all certain how to take the "Old Man's" son, and apparently considering "yes" and "no"

cheeks. He did not know that the same critical eyes also noted approvingly his broad shoulders, deep chest, and firm jaw. He felt that the questions he asked and

o shake hands with his son, and one morning J

to walk in

Director of Enterprises. He was on all sorts of directorates from banks to hospitals. He had promoted or caused to be promoted many corporate activities. He was ident

pressed tender,

to intrude. I knew your father very well, very well indeed. I hope to know his son as well-or better.

you?" said Joe.

d Ackerman. "My constitution won't s

very keen and measuring, as if the young m

e at college till very recently. Yes? Unfortunate. Not that I would deprecate the value of education. Not at all. A most excellent thing. Fine tra

uple of the years I spent there for one in the office. How

wisdom saw fit to remove me-we never can tell; as the Good Book says, Death comes like a thief in the night-that is how

erience to get, and the concern is pretty

-he said he had been thinking of doing so. He observed, and very truly, that he was as capable of managing his own affairs as any board of directors, but that if anything happened to him, such experienced advice would be of inestimable benefit to you. And then he spoke of the limited liability feature as desirable. Look

t, this was the first intimation he had had tha

or a young man-too great. Now, a board of experienced directors would

isn't proper?" asked Joe, with ju

claim. "Don't misunderstand me. But you must admit that

e admitted. "In the end

d been spared a few months longer I believe he would have formed a company, retaining the controlling int

r would not have done anything of

him another measuring

lf a dozen experienced men. And then we must remember that influence makes for success. Naturally the influence of half a dozen representative men helps to get business as it helps the business to buy cheaply, and as it helps to transact bu

," said Joe

self. I think I know of others who would. And as to forming and organizing the company, I ne

my business now, and I run it. If a company were formed I couldn't do that. I'd have to do as I was told.

good salary. No doubt that would be the arrangement. So that you would have an assured income, a dividend on your stock, and practical control of the business, as well as the advice

s hesitation so much resembled a plain mulish balk that Mr. Ackerman was a trifle

-take plenty of time. You must see its advantages. New capital brough

oung Kent icily

htly disconcerted-"you must be aware

do you know about them? What

I read a weekly commercial report, like

ouldn't have spoken as I did. Fact is

ge in other ways. Well, as I was saying, the new capital would expand the business, the advice of experienced gentlemen would make things easy f

ed gentlemen would wate

e replied. "Those who would buy into the concern wouldn't be apt to

on't think we need discuss the matter further, for I

think it over,

, I may not know much about this business, but I don't kno

ve outlined"-A

and make a success at it. I expect to make mistakes, but not the same mistake twice. I'm awfully o

an, horrified. "My dear

ever had in my life," said young Kent.

said casually, as he rose to go, "that in the event of a syndicate offering you

think so,"

n't entertain the company idea. We could make this a very big business on that basis. Perhaps, later, you may come around to it. Anyway, I

, saw Mr. Ackerman emerge from the building an

, "but I guess he isn't a bad old sport at bottom

careless, friendly hand. Mr. Ackerman so far forgot his dignity

up!" said Mr. Acker