Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 314: what you’re looking at

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

THE AMERICAN SYNDICATE. ‘Senor Barber, I believe,” he said, presenting a card. | José Pino was the name on the card, and with his habitually quick estimate of strangers, Joe decided that this was a business man to whom should be granted every consideration that would be expected by a person of importance; so he ushered him forthwith into the private office. With a,good deal of characteristic Spanish circumlocution Senor Pino announced the purpose of his visit. He was a man of means, anxious to take his share in the rising business of Ponce. He had heard of the energetic American, and was hopeful that mat- ters might shape so that he could be interested eventually in the projected street. car line. Meantime, as invest- ment in that quarter might not be pos- sible, owing to the fact that his friend Don Octavio and others might see fit to retain all holdings for themselves, etc., etc., he had himself hit upon a pos- sible field for investment which he would like to submit to the Syndicate with a view to getting the manager’s Opinion on it. It had seemed to this worthy and ob- servant capitalist that, with the advent of men from the States, and the conse- quent growth of enterprises, there should be provided for the newcomers as well as for Porto Ricans themselves, a well appointed office building. “I have been in New York, Senor Barber,” he said, “and nothing im- pressed me more, I think, than the im- mense structures erected there for the uses of lawyers, bankers, agents and so on. We have nothing tn Ponce that even approximates to an office build- ing such as you Americans are familiar with, and I am inclined to think that perhaps one of comparatively modest proportions would not only prove an ornament to the city, but in course of a year or two become a handsome invest- ment.” Joe listened with the utmost defer- ence until Senor Pino had concluded. 395 Then he remarked: “ I commend your judgment, senor. The same idea has been in my mind for a considerable time.” Pino evidently did not know whether to be pleased or disappointed. There was no doubt that he had made his in- troduction of the subject roundabout and long, largely because he believed that the idea was new, and doubtless he shrank a little lest the manager of the Syndicate should condemn it as vis- ionary. Now it appeared that it brought nothing new to the Syndicate, and he feared that some other eager investors had got ahead of him just as Don Oc- tavio had with regard to the street car enterprise. ‘Then I suppose,” he said, hesitat- ingly, “that I am too late.” ‘‘I am not so sure about jt,” Joe answered. “The Syndicate is very busy, and it cannot bring all its affairs to a head at once. This matter of a fine office building, although it has been under consideration, has not yet been put in such form that local inves- tors may not have an opportunity to share in it.” Remarkably veracious this, for the high consideration given the scheme had been confined solely to the cranium of the Syndicate’s manager. ‘“T am delighted,” began Senor Pino, when the opening of the door to the main office caused Joe to rise and look in. He thought it might be his secretary returning with the mail. A young man stood near the-door, hat in hand, shoulders squared, heels together, the very embodiment of military punctili- ousness. ‘‘ Have I the honor to address Senor Barber?” he asked, 1n a tone that seemed to reduce the temperature of the room twenty degrees or so. Of course Joe knew what he was there for, and it was a serious enough matter, too; but the American was overcome by a sense nf tepupnance to