Blow the Man Down - A Romance of the Coast

He picked up his certificates and arranged them in one hand, as a player

arranges his cards.

"I have here ten shares, say, and each share is owned by a different

individual--all good men. You don't know them, but I do. They are

connected with our big interests. And I'm right here as a stockholder.

Do you realize, David, that instructing you to hold this meeting without

a single stockholder present is really asking you to do something that's

not strictly legal?"

"We usually do it this way," faltered Boyne.

"Exactly! Men like those who are running the Vose line are always asking

an innocent man to do something illegal. I'm going to come right to

the point with you, David. Those old moss-backs who have sent those

instructions are trying to wreck the Vose line. I want you to disregard

those instructions. I am anxious to be president and general manager

of the line. I want you to elect as directors these stockholders." He

tapped his finger on the certificates.

The young man was both frightened and bewildered. He turned pale. "I

can't do that," he gasped.

"Yes, you can. There are the proxies. It's up to you to vote 'em as you

want to. They allow full power of substitution, usual fashion!"

"But I can't disobey my instructions."

"I say you can, if you've got grit enough to make a good thing for

yourself."

"Such a thing was never done here."

"Probably not. It's a new idea. But new things are being done right

along in high finance. You ought to be up where big things are happening

every day. You stand in with me, and I'll put you there. You see, I'm

getting right down to cases on this matter with you, David. Vote those

proxies as I direct and I'll hand you five thousand dollars inside of

two hours, and will plant you in a corking job with my people as soon as

this thing calms down. I could have palavered a long time before coming

to business in this way, but I see you're a bright young fellow and

don't need a lot of hair-oil talk. I don't ask you to hurt anybody in

especial. You can elect the old treasurer--we don't want to handle the

money--this is no cheap brace game. But I want a board of directors

who will put me in as general manager until certain reforms can be

instituted so as to bring the line up to date. Five thousand dollars,

mind you, and then you'll be taken care of."