CHAPTER III
THE ROCKHAVEN GRANITE COMPANY
"Please step into my private office, Mr. Hardy," said J. Malcolm Weston,head of Weston & Hill, bankers, brokers, and investment securities, asstated on the two massive nickel plates that flanked their doorway, "Ihave a matter of business to discuss with you."
Ordinarily Mr. J. Malcolm Weston would have said, "You may step into myprivate office, Mr. Hardy," when, as in this case, he addressed hisbookkeeper, for Mr. Weston never forgot his dignity in the presence of asubordinate. It may be added that he never forgot to address a possiblecustomer as though he owned millions, for J. Malcolm Weston was masterof the fine art of obsequious deference, and his persuasive smile,cordial hand grasp, and copious use of flowery language had cost many acautious man hundreds of dollars. Mr. Weston can best be described asunctuous, and belonged to that class of men who part their names andhair in the middle, but make no division in money matters, merely takingit all.
When Winn Hardy had obeyed his employer's suave invitation and wasseated in his presence, he was made to feel that he had suddenly steppedinto a sunnier clime.
"It gives me great pleasure, Mr. Hardy," continued Weston, "to informyou that we have decided to enlarge your sphere of duty with us, and Imay say, responsibilities. Mr. Hill and myself have considered thematter carefully, and, in view of your faithful and efficient services,we shall from now on confide to you the management of an outside matterof great importance. Please examine this prospectus, which will appearto-morrow in all the papers of this city."
Winn took the typewritten document tendered him and carefully scannedits contents. To show its importance it is given in full, though withreduced headlines:--
THE ROCKHAVEN GRANITE COMPANY. CAPITAL, $1,000,000.00. Stock non-assessable. Shares $1.00 each. Par Value, $10.00. President, J. MALCOLM WESTON. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: J. Malcolm Weston of Weston & Hill. William M. Simmons, Member of Stock Exchange. William B. Codman, President National Bank of Discount. Samuel H. Wiseman, Real Estate Broker. L. Orton Brown, Secretary Board of Trade. Office of Company: Weston & Hill, Bankers, Brokers, and Investments.
PROSPECTUS
This Company has purchased and now owns the finest granite quarries in the world, over one mile in length and half that in width, fronting upon the land-locked harbor on the island of Rockhaven. It has a full and perfect equipment of steam drills, engines, derricks, an excellent wharf, vessels for transporting freight, and all modern appliances for carrying on the business of quarrying.
It is well known that the rapid growth of architectural taste produces an ever increasing demand for this, the best of all building stone, and as we furnish the finest quality of granite, having that beautiful pink tint so much admired by architects, you can readily see that our advantages and prospects are limitless. This is no delusive scheme for gold mining or oil boring, but a solid and practical business that guarantees sure returns and certain dividends.
Our supply of granite is exhaustless, the market limitless, and all that we need to develop this quarry and obtain lucrative returns is a little additional capital. For this purpose fifty thousand shares of the capital stock are now offered for sale at one dollar per share, so that the investor may receive the benefit of the advance to par which will follow, as well as the liberal dividends which will surely accrue.
The price of stock will be advanced from time to time, as it is taken up.
Subscription books now open at the office of
WESTON & HILL, Financiers.
"It reads well," observed Winn, after he had perused this alluringadvertisement, "and I should imagine an investment in a granite quarrymight seem a safe one."
"Yes, decidedly safe as well as secure," replied J. Malcolm Weston, witha twinkle in his steely blue eyes not observed by Winn. "I wrote that adwith the intention of attracting investors who desire a solid investmentfor their money, and fancy I have succeeded. You noticed, perhaps, myallusion to gold mines and oil wells that have recently proved soelusive." Then taking a box of cigars, and passing them to Winn, andelevating his feet to a desk, as if to enjoy the telling of a pleasantepisode, Mr. Weston continued: "That prospectus (which I pride myself isan artistic piece of work) will attract just the class of men who havegrown suspicious of all sorts of schemes. It is this element of solidityand certainty that we shall elaborate upon. Now I will tell you aboutour plan and how you are to assist us in carrying it out. As you mayrecall, I was away last summer with Simmons on his yacht, and while onour trip we landed upon an island called Rockhaven, up the north coast.It is sort of a double island, half cut in two by a safe harbor, andpopulated by a few hundred simple fisher-folk. We remained there a fewdays looking over the island, and I noticed that some one had startedquarrying the granite of which the island is composed. That, and thelocation of the quarry, which faced this harbor, set me thinking. Itended in my inquiring out the owner, an eccentric old fellow who kept asmall store and fiddled when he hadn't any customers, and finally buyingthe quarry. I paid him one thousand down, and we are to pay him onethousand more when deeds are passed. We are now going to send you upthere to complete the purchase, paying him the balance, if you can, instock; then hire men, improve the dock, set up the machinery we shallsend you, and begin quarrying operations. That will be one of yourduties. The other, and principal, one will be to get the nativesinterested in this home industry, and sell stock to them. To this end itmay be necessary for you to give a little away to those whose influencemay be of value. We have already booked several orders for buildingstone, which you will get out as per specifications and shipments. Itwill be necessary for you to hire one or two vessels for this purpose,or else contract for delivery of stone to us at so much per cargo. Thereis a small steamer which makes regular trips to this island, so we canreach you by mail.
"Now there is another matter, also of great importance. In order tostimulate your interest in the success of this enterprise, we shall makeyou a present of five hundred shares of this stock provided you canraise the money to purchase, at one dollar per share, another block offive hundred, or, what would answer as well, induce your aunt to do so."
It was the glittering bait, intended by the wily Weston to catch andhold his dupe, Winn Hardy.
"I have some money laid away," answered Winn, his sense of cautionobscured by this alluring offer, "and with a little help from my aunt, Ifeel sure I can manage it; at least, I will try."
"We do not need this investment of five hundred dollars on your part,Mr. Hardy," continued Weston, in a grandiloquent tone; "as you must beaware, it is but a drop in the bucket, and we only wish it to induceyour more hearty cooeperation in pushing this enterprise to a successfulending. If we make money, as we are sure to do, you will also share init. It is needless for me to tell you that this is the goldenopportunity of your life, and if you take hold with a will, and not onlymanage this quarry with good business discretion, but, what is of moreimportance, sell all the stock you can, you will reap a small fortune.This enterprise is sure to be a money-maker and we expect inside of ayear to see Rockhaven go to ten, twenty, or possibly thirty dollars pershare."
And Winn Hardy, though sophisticated in a minor degree, believed it, andtrue to his nature, leaped at once into the clouds, where sudden richesand all that follows seemed within his grasp. Not only did he easilypersuade his excellent, though credulous, aunt, to lend him the money heneeded, but when he left for his new field of labor, he had so impressedher with his newly acquired delusion that she made haste to call uponWeston & Hill and invest a few thousand herself.
How disastrous that venture proved and how much woe and sorrow followedneed not be specified at present. True to her feminine nature, she toldno one, not even Winn, of her investment; and until the meteoric careerof Rockhaven had become ancient history on the street, only the boo
ks ofthose shrewd schemers and her own safe deposit box knew her secret.
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