The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-12-19

f.zyE zT r ~. FHN
That's Just the mistake you young fellows
make I'll tell you short story
Lighting new cigar and throwing myself
into the .'young American attitude of atten-
ton by tilting my chair back as far as security
admitted and placing my feet on the top Of
bureau somewhat higher than my head. re-
quested the old merchant to proceed.
"When was in the book business in Phlla-
delphia, in 18-, was in partnership with
younger brotherand gentleman named Axiom.
1t was my duty to keep the books. Business
had been dull for some time. No wholesale
trade at all, and sales at retail very light.
Gone afternoon, while we were lounging
around the store, a lady came in and asked for
a particular kind of note paper. My brother
/ said, we have none, madam and the lady left
| the store. @ @@s7 'sE
"Charley,," said I, 'swhy didn't you sell her
something" r #5a 5=
/ ''Why," said he, laughing, eve have not got
what she wanted" "a.
.'True, but you might at least have tried to
1 induce her to buy some other kind" sss 7e5
-7haYo had better stick to your books" said
Mr.. Axton. Charley is nota bad salesman
- $50 will if you will give me something TO
write in them. I'll wager a small sum, that
were I salesman and Charley a book-keeper,
there would be more employment for both of
u.s. etn5 % gegA sa za @s#
Perhaps you think you could sell TO every
body that comes in the store?'
Il will venture a suit of clothes, that, from
the time the store is opened to morrow, till noon
| will not allow customer to leave the store
without buying something"
"a Agreed'' cried both. s
| The morrow came, and vague suspicion
that had ''put my foot in it." AS luck would
have it, the rain came down in streams, and for
two hours no one visited the store. I saw by
the way Charley and Axton eyed each other
that some scheme of their concocting had not
worked as they anticipated, but kept still
awaiting events. ..sF<...... r........
About ten O'Clock, a gentleman came in,
dripping wet, and inquired if we knew where a
person he was in search OF resided. Charley
made a sign that must sell him something.
This was ''crowdng" me somewhat, but did
not despair, and racked by brain to contrlve a
plan for turning the table on them.
perhaps, SIR said ], lit would be best to
address note to the person you wish to see.
The postman will be here in few moments. and
he will be sure to know where the gentleman
lives'' .
II will do So" said he. "Give me sheet
of paper and anenvelope.'' an a -.
He wrote and directed a note to his friend,
and turning to me, paid for the paper. Under
ordinary circumstances should not have made
any charge it, but was determined to do my
best to outwlt my brother and partner. ~
By this time the rain had ceased, and the
clouds were dispensing. With the weathe,
frightened tie faces Of my two partners, fol
every addition to the number of visitors was g
chance in their favor. One or two customers
came in. and made slight purchases, without
, any urging on my part. .-s
!. II had become quite encouraged, and wa
making sundry grimaces, indicative of triumph
to my tormentors, above the head of lady
who was bending over the counter, examining
some note paper, when gentleman came in
and asked for match to light cigar. Sig
nails were at once made, that, to win the bet,
must convert him into purchaser This was
a puzzler Il took the match box in my hano
and purposely extinguished two matchless afte1
: lighting them, to gain time and an idea A
thought struck me. Throwing the box dowr
in affected impatience, I exclaimed, ''pshaw
these matches are useless in damp weather.
Then taking down a box of cigar fuses, han
ded one to the gentleman, who put it in the end
of his cigar, and lighted it at once. Then as
hoped, lie said: ss.-.
''Let me have box of these matches"
sMv facial demonstrations were renewed
with so much enthusiasm immediately after the
departure Of the cigar-smoker, that l was de.
tected by the lady over whose bonnet they were
being performed, whose indignation at the dis.
covery was SO intense had I not previously sold
her quire of note paper, should have lost
my wager. as she Immediately left the store
with great dignity. s..y.. s.s s.sa-.2. s.,..
Il was now half-past eleven. What with
persuading young lady that the device, "1'm
4 ever true" was quite as expressive, as the one
she wanted, which we did not have-''True
hope ne'er tires" pressing copy of Fielding
'Amelia' on an old gentleman who desired to
purchase ''Gullver's Travels" inducing a
youth fresh from school to buy a porcelain slate
in lieu of the ivory tables for an investment in
which an indulgent grandmother had furnished
the funds, had become pretty well Gagged
OUT
.'Axton was standing at the door Of the store
as Hooked at the clock, and when turned from
it, smiling at the near approach of noon, saw
him beckoning to person from the other side
Of the street, who to my dismay, turned out to
be pedler Of little Brittania night lamps.
Here was a fix. Imentally turned over al
our stock in my head, and then manually turned
over all the stock in the basket, but, with all
my experiments for getting time, / was at loss.
| Charley and Axton were chuckling, and the
pedler began to be impatient. "a 3aa@ l.
Il guess you're pretty well done up" whis-
pered my brother. Done up" that was the
thing. my friend" said TO the pedler, Il
will buy one Of your lamps, but let me give
you piece Of advice. You viii find the sale
Lot your goods such as these, depend quite as
musssaas the way they are put up, as on the ex-
ceence of the article itself The French un-
derstand this, and their goods meetwith ready
sale on this account Now take some light It's
sue paper, and putt in around the lamp. thus,
then some cartridge paper in this way, then tie
it up with some colored twine. In time you
might have your name printed on labels and
placed on the wrapper. In this way, you would
multiply the sale Of your lamps tenfold."
t'The man was struck with the idea, bought
the cartridge and tissue paper, and went out.
p,rt tba IL I