The Argosy, October 1906 — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

418 lidity, will give him-a confidence ‘in me that I could never gain at a lodging- house suited-to my present estate. ‘It is the SOCiDle of my cravenette coat over again.’ And it was evident that Barron was impressed. The small fry of promoters did not frequent the Hambletonian as a- rule; they were given pretty plainly to understand that their presence was not desired. - His tone-grew even more cor- dial than before. “Very well, Mr. Clarkson,” he said. “Very well; and’ I tell you frankly ‘I hope we shall be able to do business. A . man who will go to the trouble. of veri- _fying the practical details of. a proposi- tion. for himself, heedless of what people may think of him, as you have done in this instance, is the kind of fellow I want to put my money in with.” Nor did the young man’s blushes at this: umerited praise=pass for. anything more than modesty. With another: gra- _‘ciows bow and the expression of-a hope. that they would see a great deal more of each other-in the future, Mr. Barron “proceeded on his way up-town. 3 “ Well,” considered Horace, ‘ my capital will stand just one more day at the Hambletonian. I have got to swing Mr. night, or not at all; and if I am-going to do it, it behooves me to get a hustle on myself. “: There was a newsboy who haunted that corner, ‘and with whom Clarkson had struck up an acquaintance . during the morning. . Now, for a small stipénd, he arranged with this youth to look after the roaster during the day and to take it home with him in the evening.” As for himself, he had other fish to fry, and he put in a strenuous afternoon in the fry- ing of them. First he visited the City Hall, where from the license records he obtained a full list of the push-cart men of the town and the localities favored by them, and also learned incidentally that the bulk of the business was controlled by three wealthy Italians, who handled it on thé padrone system. With this pointer to guide him, he proceeded direct to this trio, and by ‘dint of his convincing address and his ability to speak to them in the commercial argot Clarence J. Barron into line to- 4 ®. “Valk about: an THE ARGOSY. of their own language, succeeded - in framing up a conditional arrangement with them whereby they agreed to eriter his combination. From them he also obtained; while not” seeming. to invite it, valuable information concerning average profits, cost of main- tenance, and the various details which a. prospective investor would need to know. A hint dropped by one of these men, too, sent him scurrying off in another di- rection, and despite denials and objec- tions he forced his way into the presence of the big Tammany leader who is the . power behind the official throne. Furthermore—wonderful. to relate—. he secured the all-important sanction of ~ this satrap to his scheme without guid pro quo, and solely by virtue of the fa- “vorable impression he made. In all these cases he* comprehénded that the cravenette, which he kept tightly buttoned up over his shabby suit, was a mantle of. protection to him. Its fault- less cut, the glimpse of ‘satin lining it~ afforded, the arema of prosperity: it gave : him, was more influential in securing him his cmidionchs than would have been a letter of introduction from one of the Vanderbilts. Doorkeepers and intermediaries ‘hesi- tated to question so important and dis- tinguished looking a personage, and ad- mitted him to the presence of their prin- cipals on his simple demand. Whereas, if he had once cast open those clasped flaps and shown the self-evident poverty beneath, he would have been: sent pack- ing in short order. ‘open sesame,” whispered Horace to himself gleefully. ‘Tam beginning to believe that on’ the ~ strength of this coat I could walk right — in and shake hands with the Czar of Russia:”’ : Yes, it was a busy and a profitable af- ternoon that he put in; but he felt that he could not afford to rest yet. The crowning stroke, for which all his labors so far had been. merely REpAtses. was still to be accomplished. Repairing to a telephone, he called up Mr. Barron and informing him that the way was open to enter the syndicate, asked the ex-steel king to meet him at — the Hambletonian at eight that_evening. Then he. put in an energetic fous and \ cboo ecomi (S.cO