II

In the course of a few weeks Joe Kent began to feel that he was making

some progress. The business was no longer a mysterious machine that

somehow produced money for his needs. It became a breathing, throbbing

creature, sensitive to the touch, thriving with attention, languishing

with neglect. It was a delicate organism, wonderfully responsive to the

handling. Every action, every word, every hastily dictated letter had

far reaching results. Conscientiously and humbly, as became a beginner,

he came to the study of it.

He began to meet his men. Not those with whom he came in daily contact

in the office; but his foremen, tanned, weather-beaten, level-eyed

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" perfectly

adequate contributions to conversation, who consumed his proffered

cigars, kept their own opinions, and went their several ways.

Kent was conscious that he was being held at arm's length; conscious

that the steady eyes took note of his smart shoes, his well-pressed

clothes, and his smooth 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 the conversation he tried

to make were not the questions and conversation which his father would

have addressed to them. But he was building better than he knew.

Many old friends of William Kent dropped in to shake hands with his son,

and one morning Joe was handed the card of Mr. Stanley Ackerman.

"Tell him to walk in," said Joe.

Mr. Ackerman walked in. He was tall and slim and gray and accurately

dressed. Mr. Ackerman's business, if his varied pursuits might be thus

consolidated, was that of a 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 identified in one way and

another with a dozen financial and industrial concerns. He was the

confidential friend and twin brother of Capital; and he was smooth, very

smooth.

His handshake expressed tender, delicate sympathy.

"I should have called sooner, Mr. Kent, after the recent melancholy

event," said he, "but that I feared to intrude. I knew your father very

well, very well indeed. I hope to know his son as well--or better. These

changes come to us all, but I was shocked, deeply shocked. I assure you,

Mr. Kent, I--was--shocked."

"Sit down, won't you?" said Joe. "Have a cigar?"

"Not in the morning, thank you," said Ackerman. "My constitution won't

stand it now. Don't mind me, though."

He watched Joe strike a match. His gaze was very keen and measuring, as

if the young man were a problem of some sort to be solved.

"And how do you find it going?" he asked. "Quite a change for you, to be

saddled with a big business at a moment's notice. If I recollect, you

were at college till very recently. Yes? Unfortunate. Not that I would

deprecate the value of education. Not at all. A most excellent thing.

Fine training for the battle of life. But at the same time scarcely a

practical preparation for the duties you have been called on so suddenly

to assume."

"That's a fact," said Joe. "Just at present I'd trade a couple of the

years I spent there for one in the office. However, I'm learning slowly.

Doing the best I can, you know."

"No doubt, no doubt," returned Ackerman cordially. "If I had a son--I am

sorry I haven't--and Providence in its inscrutable 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 I would wish him to face the world.

Bravely and modestly, as you are doing. No doubt you feel your

responsibilities, eh?"

"Well, yes," Joe admitted. "I have my experience to get, and the concern

is pretty large. Naturally it worries me a little."

"Ah," said Mr. Ackerman thoughtfully, "it's a pity your father never

took action along the lines of a conversation I had with him a few

months ago. I expressed surprise that he had never turned his business

into a joint stock company, and--rather to _my_ surprise I confess, for

he was a little old-fashioned in such matters--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. Looking back at that conversation," said Mr.

Ackerman with a gentle sigh, "it almost seems as if he had a

premonition. I assure you that he spoke with the greatest earnestness,

as if he had thought the matter over carefully and arrived at a definite

conclusion. And yet I suppose nothing has been done in that direction,

yet?"

No, nothing had been done, Joe told him. In fact, this was the first

intimation he had had that such a thing had entered his father's

thoughts.

That, said Mr. Ackerman, was too bad. It was a great responsibility for

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

share it, and they would have an active interest in advising properly.

"Meaning that the advice I get now isn't proper?" asked Joe, with just a

little tightening of the mouth.

"Meaning nothing of the sort," Ackerman hastened to disclaim. "Don't

misunderstand me. But you must admit that it is irresponsible. In the

long run you pay the piper."

"That's true enough," Joe admitted. "In the end it's up to me, of

course."

"Just so," said Mr. Ackerman. "That is what your father foresaw and

intended to provide against. If he had been spared a few months longer I

believe he would have formed a company, retaining the controlling

interest himself, so that you might have had the benefit of the advice

of a board of experienced directors."

Joe Kent was quite sure his father would not have done anything of the

kind, but he did not say so.

Ackerman bestowed on him another measuring glance and proceeded:

"You see, Mr. Kent, business history shows that, generally speaking, the

collective wisdom of half a dozen men is greater than that of the

individual. The exceptions only prove the rule. The weak points in any

proposition rarely get past half 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 business properly.

Why,"--here Mr. Ackerman became prophetic--"I venture to say, Mr. Kent,

that if this business of yours were turned into a joint stock company

and the proper gentlemen interested, its volume would double in a very

short time."

"Perhaps so," said Joe doubtfully.

"Why not do it?" said Mr. Ackerman, seizing the psychological moment. "I

would take stock myself. I think I know of others who would. And as to

forming and organizing the company, I need not say that any small

knowledge I may have of such matters is entirely at your service."

"Very good of you," said Joe. "It's a new idea to me. I don't think,

though, that I quite like it. This is 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.

Of course I understand I'd have votes according to what stock I held,

but it wouldn't be the same thing."

"Nominally different only," Ackerman assured him. "Very properly you

would retain a majority of the shares--that is, a controlling interest.

Then you'd be made managing director, at a 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 of experienced men and consequent freedom from a good deal

of worry. If I were in your place--speaking as one who has seen a good

many ups and downs in business--I should not hesitate."

But in spite of this personal clinching argument young Kent did

hesitate. And this hesitation so much resembled a plain mulish balk that

Mr. Ackerman was a trifle disconcerted. Nevertheless he beamed upon the

young man with tolerant good nature.

"Well, well, a new proposition," said he. "Take time to think it

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

brought in would permit the business to expand. It would pay off the

debts----"

"Debts!" said young Kent icily. "What debts?"

"Why--ah"--Mr. Ackerman was again slightly disconcerted--"you must be

aware of the mortgages existing, Mr. Kent."

"I am," said Kent, "but how do you know about them? What business are

they of yours?"

"Tut, tut!" said Ackerman reprovingly. "I read a weekly commercial

report, like other men. The mortgages are no secret."

"I beg your pardon," said Kent. "I shouldn't have spoken as I did. Fact

is, I'm a little touchy on that subject."

"Needlessly so," said Ackerman. "Most of my own property is mortgaged,

and I don't consider it a disgrace. I can use the money to better

advantage in other ways. Well, as I was saying, the new capital would

expand the business, the advice of experienced gentlemen would make

things easy for you; and if the property was put in at a good, liberal

valuation--as of course it would be--your holding would be worth more

than it is to-day."

"That is, the experienced gentlemen would water the stock," said Kent.

Mr. Ackerman reddened a little. "A liberal valuation isn't water," he

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

you too much. Of course, they would desire to be perfectly fair."

"Oh, of course," said Kent. "Well, Mr. Ackerman, I don't think we need

discuss the matter further, for I've decided to keep on paddling my own

little canoe."

"Think it over, think it over," Ackerman urged.

"I have thought it over," said Joe. "You see, Mr. Ackerman, I may not

know much about this business, but I don't know any more about any

other. So I might as well stick to it."

"The plan I have outlined"--Ackerman began.

"I don't like," Kent put in, smiling. "My position is this: I want to

handle this business myself and make a success at it. I expect to make

mistakes, but not the same mistake twice. I'm awfully obliged for your

interest, but to be told what to do by a board of directors would spoil

all my fun."

"Fun!" echoed Mr. Ackerman, horrified. "My dear sir,

business--is--not--fun!"

"It is for me--about the bulliest fun I ever had in my life," said young

Kent. "I never played a game I liked as well."

Mr. Ackerman shook his head sadly. The young man was hopeless. "I

suppose," he said casually, as he rose to go, "that in the event of a

syndicate offering you a fair price for the whole concern, lock, stock,

and barrel, you wouldn't sell?"

"No, I don't think so," Joe replied.

"Ah, well, youth is ever sanguine," said Mr. Ackerman. "Your energy and

confidence do you credit, Mr. Kent, though I'm rather sorry you won'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 wish

you luck. If I can assist you in any way at any time just let me know.

Good morning. _Good_ morning! Remember, in _any_ way, at _any_ time."

Joe, from his favourite position at the window, saw Mr. Ackerman emerge

from the building and begin his dignified progress down the street.

"I didn't like his stock proposition," he thought, "but I guess he isn't

a bad old sport at bottom. Seems to mean well. I'm sorry I was rude to

him."

Just then Mr. Ackerman, looking up, caught his eye. Joe waved a

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

return the friendly salute, and smiled upward benignantly.

"The damned young pup!" said Mr. Ackerman behind his smile.