And for years
New York is to be reminded of Samuel Coulter by some incapable who'll use
his name and his money to advertise nature's contempt for family pride in
her distributions of brains. I think even a fine tomb is a wiser memorial."
"Well, how much of the stock shall you take?" Howard asked.
"Not a share," Stokely replied dejectedly. "Coulter couldn't have died at a
worse time for me. I'm tied in every direction and shall be for a year at
least. So you've got a chance to become controlling owner."
"I?" Howard laughed. "Where could I get a million and a half?"
"How much could you take in cash?"
"Well--let me see--perhaps--five hundred thousand."
"You can borrow the million with the stock as collateral."
"But how could I pay?"
"Why, your dividends at our present rate would be more than two hundred
thousand a year. Your interest charge would be under seventy-five thousand.
Perhaps I can arrange it so that it won't be more than fifty thousand. You
can let the balance go on reducing the loan. Then I may be able to put you
onto a few good things. At any rate you can't lose anything. Your stock
would bring five hundred even at forced sale. It's your chance, old man. I
want to see you take it."
"I'll think it over. I have no head for figures.
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