CHAPTER XXVI
Fortunately for the situation which had so suddenly confronted him,Bryce Cardigan had Mr. Buck Ogilvy; and out of the experiences gainedin other railroad-building enterprises, the said Ogilvy, while startled,was not stunned by the suddenness and immensity of the order so casuallygiven him by his youthful employer, for he had already devoted to thematter of that crossing the better part of the preceding night. Alsohe had investigated, indexed, and cross-indexed the city council with aview to ascertaining how great or how little would be the effort he mustdevote to obtaining from it the coveted franchise.
"Got to run a sandy on the Mayor," Buck soliloquized as he walkedrapidly uptown. "And I'll have to be mighty slick about it, too, or I'llget my fingers in the jam. If I get the Mayor on my side--if I get himto the point where he thinks well of me and would like to oblige mewithout prejudicing himself financially or politically--I can get thattemporary franchise. Now, how shall I proceed to sneak up on that oilyold cuss's blind side?"
Two blocks farther on, Mr. Ogilvy paused and snapped his fingersvigorously. "Eureka!" he murmured. "I've got Poundstone by the tail on adownhill haul. Is it a cinch? Well, I just guess I should tell a man!"
He hurried to the telephone building and put in a long-distance call forthe San Francisco office of the Cardigan Redwood Lumber Company. Whenthe manager came on the line, Ogilvy dictated to him a message which heinstructed the manager to telegraph back to him at the Hotel Sequoia onehour later; this mysterious detail attended to, he continued on to theMayor's office in the city hall.
Mayor Poundstone's bushy eyebrows arched with interest when hissecretary laid upon his desk the card of Mr. Buchanan Ogilvy,vice-president and general manager of the Northern California OregonRailroad. "Ah-h-h!" he breathed with an unpleasant resemblance to a bonvivant who sees before him his favourite vintage. "I have been expectingMr. Ogilvy to call for quite a while. At last we shall see what we shallsee. Show him in."
The visitor was accordingly admitted to the great man's presence andfavoured with an official handshake of great heartiness. "I've beenhoping to have this pleasure for quite some time, Mr. Poundstone," Buckannounced easily as he disposed of his hat and overcoat on an adjacentchair. "But unfortunately I have had so much preliminary detail toattend to before making an official call that at last I grew discouragedand concluded I'd just drop in informally and get acquainted." Buck'salert blue eyes opened wide in sympathy with his genial mouth, todeluge Mayor Poundstone with a smile that was friendly, guileless,confidential, and singularly delightful. Mr. Ogilvy was a man possessedof tremendous personal magnetism when he chose to exert it, and thatsmile was ever the opening gun of his magnetic bombardment, for it was asmile that always had the effect of making the observer desire to beholdit again--of disarming suspicion and establishing confidence.
"Glad you did--mighty glad," the Mayor cried heartily. "We have all, ofcourse, heard of your great plans and are naturally anxious to hearmore of them, in the hope that we can do all that anybody reasonably andlegally can to promote your enterprise and incidentally our own, sincewe are not insensible to the advantages which will accrue to this countywhen it is connected by rail with the outside world."
"That extremely broad view is most encouraging," Buck chirped, and heshowered the Mayor with another smile. "Reciprocity is the watchword ofprogress. I might state, however, that while you Humboldters are fullyalive to the benefits to be derived from a feeder to a transcontinentalroad, my associates and myself are not insensible of the fact that thesuccess of our enterprise depends to a great extent upon the enthusiasmwith which the city of Sequoia shall cooperate with us; and since youare the chief executive of the city, naturally I have come to you toexplain our plans fully."
"I have read your articles of incorporation, Mr. Ogilvy," MayorPoundstone boomed paternally. "You will recall that they were publishedin the Sequoia SENTINEL. It strikes me---"
"Then you know exactly what we purpose doing, and any furtherexplanation would be superfluous," Buck interrupted amiably, glad todispose of the matter so promptly. Again he favoured the Mayor with hisbright smile, and the latter, now fully convinced that here was a youngman of vast emprise whom it behooved him to receive in a whole-heartedand public-spirited manner, nodded vigorous approval.
"Well, that being the case, Mr. Ogilvy," he continued, "what can weSequoians do to make you happy?"
"Why, to begin with, Mr. Poundstone, you might accept my solemnassurances that despite the skepticism which, for some unknown reason,appears to shroud our enterprise in the minds of some people, we haveincorporated a railroad company for the purpose of building a railroad.We purpose commencing grading operations in the very near future, andthe only thing that can possibly interfere with the project will be thedeclination of the city council to grant us a franchise to run our linethrough the city to tidewater."
He handed his cigar-case to Mayor Poundstone and continued lightly: "AndI am glad to have your assurance that the city council will not drop acold chisel in the cogs of the wheels of progress."
Mr. Poundstone had given no such assurance, but for some reason he didnot feel equal to the task of contradicting this pleasant fellow. Ogilvycontinued: "At the proper time we shall apply for the franchise. It willthen be time enough to discuss it. In the meantime the N. C. O. plans apublic dedicatory ceremony at the first breaking of ground, and I wouldbe greatly honoured, Mr. Mayor, if you would consent to turn thefirst shovelful of earth and deliver the address of welcome upon thatoccasion."
The Mayor swelled like a Thanksgiving turkey. "The honour will be mine,"he corrected his visitor.
"Thank you so much, sir. Well, that's another worry off my mind." Withthe tact of a prime minister Buck then proceeded deliberately to shiftthe conversation to the weather and asked a number of questions anentthe annual rainfall. Then he turned to crops, finance, and nationalpolitics and gradually veered around to an artistic word-picture ofthe vast expansion of the redwood-lumber industry when the redwood-beltshould be connected by rail with the markets of the entire country. Hespoke of the magic effect the building of such a line would have uponthe growth of Sequoia. Sequoia, he felt convinced, was destined tobecome a city of at least a hundred thousand inhabitants; he rhapsodizedover the progressive spirit of the community and with a wave of hishand studded the waters of Humboldt Bay with the masts of the world'sshipping. Suddenly he checked himself, glanced at his watch, apologizedfor consuming so much of His Honour's valuable time, expressed himselffelicitated at knowing the Mayor, gracefully expressed his appreciationfor the encouragement given his enterprise, and departed. When he hadgone, Mayor Poundstone declared to his secretary that without doubtOgilvy was the livest, keenest fellow that had struck Sequoia since theadvent of old John Cardigan.
Half an hour later the Mayor's telephone-bell rang. Buck Ogilvy was onthe line. "I beg your pardon for bothering you with my affairs twice inthe same day, Mr. Mayor," he announced deprecatingly, "but the fact is,a condition has just arisen which necessitates the immediate employmentof an attorney. The job is not a very important one and almost anylawyer would do, but in view of the fact that we must, sooner or later,employ an attorney to look after our interests locally, it occurred tome that I might as well make the selection of a permanent attorney now.I am a stranger in this city Mr. Poundstone. Would it be imposing onyour consideration if I asked you to recommend such a person?"
"Why, not at all, not at all! Delighted to help you, Mr. Ogilvy. Let mesee, now. There are several attorneys in Sequoia, all men of excellentability and unimpeachable integrity, whom I can recommend with theutmost pleasure. Cadman look up the relatives of a public official!Well! Forward, men, follow me--to Henry's office."
Henry Poundstone, Junior, proved to be the sole inhabitant of one ratherbare office in the Cardigan Block. Buck had fully resolved to give hima retainer of a thousand dollars, or even more, if he asked for it,but after one look at Henry he cut the appropriation to two hundred andfifty dollars. Young Mr. Poundstone
was blonde and frail, with largeround spectacles, rabbit teeth, and the swiftly receding chin of theterrapin. Moreover, he was in such a flutter of anticipation over thearrival of his client that Buck deduced two things--to wit, that theMayor had telephoned Henry he was apt to have a client, and that as aresult of this miracle, Henry was in no fit state to discuss the sordidsubject of fees and retainers. Ergo, Mr. Ogilvy decided to obviate suchdiscussion now or in the future. He handed Henry a check for two hundredand fifty dollars, which he wrote out on the spot, and with his brightwinning smile remarked: "Now, Mr. Poundstone, we will proceed tobusiness. That retainer isn't a large one, I admit, but neither is thejob I have for you to-day. Later, if need of your services on alarger scale should develop, we shall of course expect to make a newarrangement whereby you will receive the customary retainer of all ofour corporation attorneys I trust that is quite satisfactory."
"Eminently so," gasped the young disciple of Blackstone.
"Very well, then; let us proceed to business." Buck removed from asmall leather bag a bale of legal-looking documents. "I have here," heannounced, "agreements from landowners along the proposed right of wayof the N. C. O. to give to that company, on demand, within one yearfrom date, satisfactory deeds covering rights of way which are minutelydescribed in the said agreements. I wish these deeds prepared forsigning and recording at the earliest possible moment."
"You shall have them at this time to-morrow," Henry promised.
The head of Henry Poundstone, Junior, was held high for the first timesince he had flung forth his modest shingle to the breezes of Sequoiasix months before, and there was an unaccustomed gleam of importance inhis pale eyes as he rushed into big father's office in the city hall.
"By jinks, Dad!" he exulted. "I've hooked a fish at last--and he's awhopper."
"Omit the cheers, my boy. Remember I sent that fish to you," his fatheranswered with a bland and indulgent smile. "What are you doing forOgilvy, and how large a retainer did he give you?"
"I'm making out deeds to his rights of way. Ordinarily it's about afifty-dollar job, but without waiting to discuss finances he handed meout two hundred and fifty dollars. Why, Dad, that's more than you makein a month from your job as Mayor."
"Well, that isn't a bad retainer. It's an opening wedge. However, itwould be mere chicken-feed in San Francisco."
"Read this," Henry urged, and thrust a yellow telegraph-form under theMayor's nose. The latter adjusted his glasses and read:
Imperative building operations commence immediately. Local skepticisminjurious and delays dangerous. We must show good faith to our New Yorkfriends. J. P. M. insists upon knowing promptly where we stand withSequoia city council. See them immediately and secure temporaryfranchise, if possible, to enable us to cross Water Street at B Streetand build out Front Street. Your arrangement with Cardigan for use ofhis mill-dock and spur for unloading material from steamer ratified byboard but regarded as hold-up. If your judgment indicates no hold-upon permanent franchise, commence active operations immediately uponacquisition of permanent franchise. Engage local labour as far aspossible. Cannot impress upon you too fully necessity for getting busy,as road must be completed in three years if our plans are to bear fruitand time is all too short. Impress this upon city council and wireanswer to-morrow.
HOCKLEY.
This telegram, as the Mayor observed, was dated that day and addressedto Mr. Buchanan Ogilvy, Hotel Sequoia, Sequoia, Calif. Also, with a keeneye to minor details, lie noted that it had been filed at San FranciscoSUBSEQUENT to Ogilvy's visit to him that afternoon.
"Ah-h-h!" breathed His Honour. "That accounts for his failure to bringthe matter up at our interview. Upon his return to the hotel hefound this telegram and got busy at once. By Jupiter, this looks likebusiness. Henry, how did you come into possession of this telegram?"
"It must have been mixed up in the documents Ogilvy left with me.I found it on my desk when I was sorting out the papers, and in mycapacity of attorney for the N.C.O. I had no hesitancy in reading it."
"Well, I do declare! Wonder who Hockley is. Never heard of that fellowin connection with the N.C.O."
"Hockley doesn't matter," young Henry declared triumphantly, "althoughI'd bet a hat he's one of those heavy-weight Wall Street fellows andone of J.P.M's vice-presidents, probably. J.P.M., of course, is the manbehind."
"Who the devil is J.P.M.?"
Henry smiled tolerantly upon his ignorant and guileless parent. "Well,how would J. Pierpont Morgan do for a guess?" he queried.
"Hell's bells and panther-tracks!" Mayor Poundstone started as ifsnake-bitten. "I should say you have hooked a big fish. Boy, you'velanded a whale!" And the Mayor whistled softly in his amazementand delight. "By golly, to think of you getting in with that bunch!Tremendyous! Per-fect-ly tree-mend-yous! Did Ogilvy say anything aboutfuture business?"
"He did. Said if I proved satisfactory, he would probably take me on andpay the customary retainer given all of their corporation attorneys."
"Well, by golly, he'd better take you on! I had a notion that chapOgilvy was smart enough to know which side his bread is buttered on andwho does the buttering."
"If I could guarantee Mr. Ogilvy that temporary franchise mentionedin his telegram, it might help me to get in right with J.P.M, at thestart," his hopeful suggested. "I guess it would be kind of poor tobe taken on as one of the regular staff of attorneys for a Morgancorporation, eh? Say, they pay those chaps as high as fifty thousanddollars a year retainer!"
"Guarantee it!" his father shouted. "Guarantee it! Well, I shouldsnicker! We'll just show J. P. M. and his crowd that they made nomistake when they picked you as their Sequoia legal representative. I'llcall a special meeting of that little old city council of mine and jamthat temporary franchise through while you'd be saying 'Jack Robinson!'"
"I'll tell you what let's do," Henry suggested. "I'll draw up thetemporary franchise to-night, and we'll put it through to-morrow at,say, ten o'clock without saying a word to Mr. Ogilvy about it. Then whenthe city clerk has signed and attested it and put the seal of the cityon it, I'll just casually take it over to Mr. Ogilvy. Of course he'll besurprised and ask me how I came to get it, and--"
"And you LOOK surprised," his father cautioned, "--sort of as if youfailed to comprehend what he's driving at. Make him repeat. Then yousay: 'Oh, that! Why, that's nothing, Mr. Ogilvy. I found the telegramin those papers you left with me, read it, and concluded you'd left itthere to give me the dope so I could go ahead and get the franchise foryou. Up here, whenever anybody wants a franchise from the city, theyalways hire an attorney to get it for them, so I didn't think anythingabout this but just naturally went and got it for you. If it ain'tright, why, say so and I'll have it made right.'" Old Poundstone nudgedhis son in the short ribs and winked drolly. "Let him get the ideayou're a fly bird and on to your job."
"Leave it to yours truly," said Henry.
His father carefully made a copy of the telegram.
"H'm!" he grunted. "Wants to cross Water Street at B and build outFront Street. Well, I dare say nobody will kick over the traces at that.Nothing but warehouses and lumber-drying yards along there, anyhow.Still, come to think of it, Pennington will probably raise a howl aboutsparks from the engines of the N. C. O. setting his lumber piles afire.And he won't relish the idea of that crossing, because that means awatchman and safety-gates, and he'll have to stand half the cost ofthat."
"He'll be dead against it," Henry declared. "I know, because at theWednesday meeting of the Lumber Manufacturers' Association the subjectof the N. C. O. came up, and Pennington made a talk against it. He saidthe N. C. O. ought to be discouraged, if it was a legitimate enterprise,which he doubted, because the most feasible and natural route for a roadwould be from Willits, Mendocino County, north to Sequoia. He said theN. C. O. didn't tap the main body of the redwood-belt and that his ownroad could be extended to act as a feeder to a line that would build infrom the south. I tell you he's dead set against it."
"Then we won't tell him an
ything about it, Henry. We'll just pull offthis special session of the council and forget to invite the reporters;after the job has been put over, Pennington can come around and howlall he wants. We're not letting a chance like this slip by us withoutgrabbing a handful of the tail-feathers, Henry. No, sir--not if we knowit."
"You bet!" said Henry earnestly.
And it was even so. The entire council was present with the exceptionof Thatcher, who was home ill. His running mate Yates was heartilyin favour of doing all and sundry of those things which would aid andencourage the building of the much-to-be-desired railroad and offeredno objection to the motion to grant a sixty-day temporary franchise.However, he always played ball with the absent Thatcher and he wasfairly well acquainted with his other colleagues on the council; wherethey were concerned he was as suspicious as a rattlesnake in August--inconsequence of which he considered it policy to play safe pendingThatcher's recovery. Rising in his place, he pointed out to the boardthe fact that many prominent citizens who yearned for such a road asthe N. C. O. had warned him of the danger of lending official aid andcomfort to a passel of professional promoters and fly-by-nights;that after all, the N. C. O. might merely be the stalking-horse to areal-estate boom planned to unload the undesirable timber holdings ofthe Trinidad Redwood Lumber Company, in which event it might be well forthe council to proceed with caution. It was Mr. Yates' opinion that forthe present a temporary franchise for thirty days only should be given;if during that thirty days the N. C. O. exhibited indubitable signs ofactivity, he would gladly vote for a thirty-day extension to enable thematter of a permanent franchise to be taken up in regular order.
This amendment to the original motion met with the unqualified approvalof the Mayor, as he was careful to announce for the benefit of the othermembers of the Solid Four. The fact of the matter was, however, thathe was afraid to oppose Yates in such a simple matter through fear thatYates might grow cantankerous and carry his troubles to the SequoiaSentinel--a base trick he had been known to do in the past. Afterexplaining the advisability of keeping secret for the present the factthat a thirty-day franchise had been granted, His Honour, with theconsent of the maker of the original motion and the second thereof,submitted the amended motion to a vote, which was carried unanimously.
At eleven-thirty Thursday morning, therefore, young Henry Poundstone,having worked the greater part of the previous night preparing thedeeds, delivered both deeds and franchise to Buck Ogilvy at thelatter's hotel. It was with difficulty that the latter could conceal histremendous amazement when Henry casually handed him the franchise. True,he had slipped that fake telegram among the contracts as bait for Henryand his father, but in his wildest flights of fancy had not looked forthem to swallow hook, line, and sinker. His fondest hope, at the time heconceived the brilliant idea, was that Henry would show the telegram tohis father and thus inculcate in the old gentleman a friendly feelingtoward the N. C. O. not unmixed with pleasurable anticipations of theday when Henry Poundstone, Junior, should be one of the most highlyprized members of the legal staff of a public-service corporation.
When he could control his emotions, Mr. Ogilvy gazed approvingly uponHenry Poundstone. "Mr. Poundstone," he said solemnly, "I have met somemeteoric young attorneys in my day, but you're the first genuine comet Ihave seen in the legal firmament. Do you mind telling me exactly how youprocured this franchise--and why you procured it without explicit ordersfrom me?"
Henry did his best to look puzzled. "Why," he said, "you leftthat telegram with me, and I concluded that you regarded it asself-explanatory or else had forgotten to mention it. I knew you werebusy, and I didn't want to bother you with details, so I just went aheadand filled the order for you. Anything wrong about that?"
"Certainly not. It's perfectly wonderful. But how did you put it over?"
Henry smirked. "My dad's the engineer," he said bluntly. "If thirty daysain't enough time, see me and I'll get you thirty days more. And in themeantime nobody knows a thing about this little deal. What's more, theywon't know. I figured Colonel Pennington might try to block you at thatcrossing so I--"
Buck Ogilvy extended his hand in benediction and let it drop lightly onHenry Poundstone's thin shoulder. Henry quivered with anticipation underthat gentle accolade and swallowed his heart while the great Ogilvy madea portentous announcement.
"My dear Poundstone," he said earnestly, "I am not a man to forgetclever work. At the proper time I shall--" He smiled his radiant smile."You understand, of course, that I am speaking for and can make you nofirm promises. However--" He smiled again. "All I have to say is thatyou'll do!"
"Thank you," said Henry Poundstone, Junior. "Thank you ever so much."