How an Annual Meeting Was Held--Once

"I suppose our proxies run to the clerk of the corporation, as usual,
with full power of substitution, clerk to follow instructions," said
Mr. Fogg, a bit pompously, using his complete knowledge of corporation
routine.

"Yes, sir. We handle most of the corporation meetings that way when it's
all cut and dried. In this case, it's simply a re-election of the old
officers."

"Exactly!"

Mr. Fogg pulled his chair closer, dabbed his purple handkerchief on
each side of his nose, and inquired, kindly and confidentially: "My son,
what's your name?"

"David Boyne."

"Law student here--secretary, eh?"

"Yes, sir."

"Exactly--and a long, hard pull ahead of you. It's too bad you're not in
New York, where a young man doesn't have to travel the whole way around,
but can cut a corner or two. I could give you a lot of examples of
bright young chaps who have grabbed in when the grabbing was good.

"But I haven't the time. You take my word for it. I'm a plain, outspoken
business man, and I'm in with the biggest financial interests in New
York. And I'm going to offer you the grandest opportunity of your life
right now, David."

He picked up his certificates and arranged them in one hand, as a player
arranges his cards.

"I have here ten shares, say, and each share is owned by a different
individual--all good men. You don't know them, but I do. They are
connected with our big interests. And I'm right here as a stockholder.
Do you realize, David, that instructing you to hold this meeting without
a single stockholder present is really asking you to do something that's
not strictly legal?"