Prescott High School - Hassayamper Yearbook (Prescott, AZ)

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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

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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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jJatrmt faints |ILLY BARR was in a contemplative mood. He lounged lli against the gallery railing of the hacienda, gazing idly about him, while a half finished cigarette smoked in his listless hand. He was lord of all he surveyed: the acres of fruitful coffee trees, the distant underbrush full of fat cat- tle, and this rambling, old dwelling. The ten years spent in Mexico had been years of peace and plenty, but now he was sick of it all. Luxurious, idle, superstitious Mexico was no place for a live American to waste away in. He longed in his heart for the noise and bustle of Broadway, the gay theatres, and pretty, white women. Maria was here, to be sure. She, of the soulful eyes, and smiling lips, but her peo- ple were not his people, nor her God his God. Poor Maria could not quite forgive the pagan Senor, who had dispossessed two plaster patron saints, and put two purring kittens in their shrines as a little surprise for her pious mother. This life was all very fascinating, but he must leave this country and get back to his own people, while the blood of youth ran warm. Tomorrow the coffee crop would be ready to harvest, and after that he would pack himself off to the States. Today was the first of December; by pushing things he could just make Xew York for Christmas. He had two hundred peons at work for him, who should finish the job in a week. “Senor,” a dulcet voice called up, and Billy, awakening from his reverie, glanced down into the smiling, brown face of his overseer. “What is it, Jose?” “I have the honor to inform the most estimable Senor, that his two hundred unworthy servants cannot perform their duties during the next week.” The devil!” Billy ejaculated, suddenly arousing out of his habitual good nature. “Whose feast is it now?” Jose puffed a moment at his cigarette, then answered blandly, “Tomorrow begins the great feast of our patron saint Luis, then Wednesday is that of his holy Mother. No peon would work this week.” “There would be precious little coffee harvested in Mexico, if more than two hundred and sixty-five of the days were feast days. But it’s up to you, Jose, to attend to this matter,” Billy answered with finality. “But. most estimable Senor, I can do nothing. The men are already leaving for their homes, and will not return for one week. But, Senor, fifty miles into the mountains 28