Prescott High School - Hassayamper Yearbook (Prescott, AZ)

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new company and the consequent development of the coun- try’s resources. They dilated on the fact that the lower rates for electricity woidd bring it within the reach of all and that hitherto dormant industries would spring into life. When the news of the securing of a franchise from the city reached Mr. Taylor he sat up and took notice. His at- tempt to reach the damsite with his car was without success and he did the greater part of the journey on foot. He very nearly took his son by surprise, coming onto him as he was working with the surveyors. With a hasty “Keep mum,” he dodged into the brush and stayed there until his father re- turned to the city. That evening the subject was brought up and Mr. Taylor said they had a great thing and that the only hope for his company was to form some sort of working agreement with the new company as competition was out of the question on account of the little expense of producing power by water as compared to steam. Dan said very little besides that he thot it would be good policy for Mr. Taylor to see the representative of The Tug River Power Company before they had things too far settled, believing a better bargain could be secured now than later on. Following his son's advice, which was his own mind on the subject, Mr. Taylor went next morning to the oiffices of the Tug River Power Company and entering found Mr. Albert Phillips apparently the busiest man in the world, lie finished writing a note and then whirled around to see who his caller might be. Mr. Taylor introduced himself and continued, “I understand you are representing the Tug River Power Com- pany.” “Yes, sir, answered Albert, “I am their representative at present: is there anything I can do for you?” Mr. Taylor then came to the business at hand with an inquiry as to what plans the company had as to entering the field, and also as to what manner the two companies could combine, stating at the same time, “You know, Mr. Phillips, as well as I, what com- petition will mean to both of us.” A1 replied, “We realize that fully, and for that reason I am privileged to make you a price on the property just as it stands now. “And what is that price?” Mr. Taylor asked, somewhat nervous but out- wardly cool. “Well, you have probably seen the site and realize what we have there; we also realize that and have set our price at a figure which we consider just and proper.” Our price is $100,000 just as the property stands.” “Whew!” exclaimed Mr. Taylor. “That is pretty steep, considering that there is nothing hut the site and no work done.” “Well, Mr. Taylor, we are not, you understand, putting this prop- erty on the market. We are giving you a chance to save yourself and the proposition lies entirely in your hands.” 26

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getting to say, “How do you do,” in his hurry to put the mat- ter of the patent for the damsite before Mr. Sherman. The Senator readily took the matter up and promised him that he would put it right thru, that it wasn’t such a hard matter, and he would be returning to Washington about Friday. “So far so good,” thot Dan, and now the next thing was to set about devising means whereby he could sell the site and fulfill his father’s proposition. And right here came the Wallingford idea again. He would see Albert Phillips, his lawyer friend, and see about forming a company, “a la Wal- lingford,” and then sell out to his father. He grinned to him- self as he imagined how sold his Dad would feel, and then sobered somewhat as he thot of how much there was yet to do. The next day he and Albert got together in the latter’s offices and the young lawyer was tickled at the prospect of forming the company. He liked the high-finance idea and besides he wanted to see Dan get his heart’s desire. All the details for the forming of the company were arranged and all they lacked was the patent from Congress. The days seemed to drag. Dan had regained his spirits, and his father congratulated him on his sensible attitude. Dan only mum- bled his thanks. His hardest job was keeping his secret from Marthina. She came very nearly getting angry, but he pre- vailed on her to be a little patient, that perhaps he would have a surprise for her before long. So she remained satis- fied ; something told her that Dan would have a great surprise, although she little suspected its real nature. On Monday morning of the next week Dan received a letter from Senator Sherman enclosing the title to his site and also word that if Dan needed any further help just to say so. After the seeming delay to their marriage nothing had been said to the Senator about it, so he was ignorant of how he was furthering the boy’s interests altho there would probably have been no hesitation on his part. With his title to his site in his possession Dan and Al- bert got together in earnest in the formation of the Tug River Power and Development Company with a list of stockholders gotten out of a popular magazine. Albert was a live member and he played the publicity part strongly. The painter was called in and the imposing title “Tug River Power and De- velopment Co.” was added to Albert’s door. He even went further and secured a franchise from the city for the privi- lege of stringing wires for power and light thru the city. Upon securing this, with Albert’s help, the newspapers started in to make a great ado about the new power company. Great headlines appeared in the papers heralding the birth of the 25

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Mr. Taylor knew that they had him and tried to bargain, but A1 Phillips, now in his glorv by having one of the country’s money powers in his grasp told him flatly that no price ex- cept the first named could be considered. Mr. Taylor told him he would return in the afternoon to give his final answer. As he had said. Mr. Taylor was at the offices of the Power Company at two o'clock. They came right to the point and quickly the deed was arranged and Mr. Taylor had just signed away one hundred thousand perfectly good dollars when a commotion was heard in the outer office and Dan and Toots burst in. “Oh. I beg your pardon.” Dan exclaimed, seeing that he was interrupting. Mr. Taylor saw his son and asked, “What are you doing here?” A1 gave him the wink and Dan said. “Why, T came down to teil Albert to raise the price of the Power Company site to two hundred thousand.” “What have you got to do with it?” exclaimed Mr. Taylor, surprised. “Oh, nothing, Dad, except that I am it. princi- pally.” Mr. T avlor turned to where his check had disappeared but only saw Albert handing it to Dan with a broad smile on his face. “Dan. do you mean to tell me that all this scheme is yours?” “Yep, Dad, you know I had to have something back of me besides a job so I could have 'loots, and, well, I guess I have got it.” “Yes, I guess you have,” said Mr. Taylor, savagely. “Now, Dad, please don’t get mad; I am a pretty good fellow and 1 will let you have the power site for the amount of this check in the new and greater enterprise, The Tug River Power and Development Company, capital one million, successors to the Southwestern Power Company, and oh, yes, I get the job as superintendent,” and Dan laughed, watching for a sign as to how his father received the plan. At this Mr. Taylor began to see the humor in the situation and turning to Marthina. who stood at one side, an interested spectator, said, “Dan is a pretty smart boy, after all, eh?” and Marthina only smiled demurely and nodded assent. Then to Dan. “Well, bov, you stung me all right, but your whole proposition looks good, you can call in the preacher any time and you are to be the boss when we build the new power- house up the river; the work will begin immediately. Dan grasped his father’s hand and next grabbed Marthina in a de- delighted hug. A1 just stood there and grinned like a big schoolboy. Dan suddenly became conscious of what he was up to and blushed furiously as he turned to the other two: “Say, Dad,” he said, with a sudden thot. “1 have got to pay my lawyer, and he laughed. ' Don t worry, I 11 tend to your lawyer, confound him ! e will need a legal depart- ment now and Albert will be it,” and Dan. Marthina and Al- bert joined in a riotous dance of jov with Mr. 1 avlor a smiling spectator. C. HAROLD HOWARD, ’13. 27