Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 7, 1928 — page 71: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

FAIR EXCHANGE. “Tam very much afraid, gentlemen, that Colonel Brewer is getting too old, too infirm to hold the position of pres- ident of the Benton City National Bank any longer,’ went on Hilton bluntly. “T need not tell you that this state- ment causes me a great deal of distress. No one is better aware of the long and splendid service Brewer has rendered to the bank; But, to be frank, this is the day of youth! “As you all know, the Interstate Bank and Trust Company have opened a branch here and are looking forward to active competition with us. “Their officers are all young and right up to the minute when it comes to modern banking methods. They have introduced many new ideas to obtain the good will of the people—and they’re making their presence felt al- ready, I tell you! “We must meet fire with fire! Cyrus Brewer, as you all know, is a strict advocate of old-fashioned bank- ing methods. In former days they were all right—but they won’t go now! “And in this connection, I call your attention to the bank robberies at Dixon and Medville. In both those cases the bank officials were well past their prime—entirely unable to cope with alert bandits. They even let a mere slip of a girl rob them with im- punity ! “ Not only to forestall undue loss of earnings through competition with the Interstate, but for protective purposes, I believe we should have a much younger man at the head of this bank- ing institution. “ Gentlemen, I wish to submit a res- olution in which we request Colonel Brewer to resign as president—on a pension, of course. I have the names of several men whom—” “But,” broke in Mark Burroughs, “vou don’t realize what you’re propos- ing. Why, it would almost be the end of the colonel if we let him out. This bank is everything to him. And he’s 211 only sixty-eight. Aside from an oc- casional attack of rheumatism he’s just as good as he was thirty years ago.” “JT agree with you, Mark,” said Samuel Louderback, when the other had finished speaking, “‘ but, of course, business is business—”’ “Yes,” interrupted Hilton, “ and there is absolutely no place for senti- ment in the banking business. The whole question before you, gentlemen, is whether or not Cyrus Brewer is cap- able of running this bank against our new competition, and against that ever- menacing specter, the underworld. “I maintain that he is mof, and that unless we get a new and much younger president, we’re due to lose thousands of dollars in deposits before many months.” “I motion,” said Hannibal, “ that this matter be given due consideration and taken up again at our next meet- ing. sanction ousting Brewer until he’s once more back in his usual good health, fully prepared for such a blow as it would be to him.” “I second that motion,” said Bur- roughs. : “Me, too,” spoke up Louderback. “Inasmuch as no formal resolution has been made to be put to a vote,” said Hilton grumpily, “I suggest that we consider this as an informal discussion and do not enter the subject in the minute book. Naturally, I will abide by the wishes of the majority, although I warn you that this matter will have to be settled, sooner or later.” TI. CoLoneL Cyrus BreEwER entered the bank the next morning fully aware of all that had taken place at the board of directors’ meeting. Louderback had told his wife about the “ax” hovering over the colonel’s head, and Louderback’s wife had im- mediately told Mrs. Lafferty, her next- door neighbor. JOOKS One thing is sure, I shall never (ECO A MICE (E(o)|