Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1882-01-26
Success In Rusiness-How a Dummy Enc
my PAYS Big.

Success In Business-How a Dummy Enc
my Pays Big.
"Archibald, my boy" said old
Mr.. Difenderfer, the rich commits
sion merchant, the other day, as he
called his son into his private office,
"my dear boy, l have just executed
the deeds by which l retire from
business to-day and leave you sole
active partner in the wealthiest house
ON the coast. Naturally you ex-
pect me to give you some timely
counsel for your future business
guidance.
"Keerect!' replied young D., who
was member of the Bohemian club,
and knew it all.
"You probably suppose that 1
wish to enjoin upon you frugality,
temperance, integrity and punctual-
ity as the sure means Of success. Not
at all. Those virtues are very good
for the copy book, but the ouly real
requisite to success in life-especially
in this State-is real good recipro-
eating dummy enemy"
"a what?'' quried the scion of the
house of D., as he put his feet on the
desk and lit another cigarette
"Why, a first class, bitter, unre-
lenting dummy enemy. Something
like my dear old friend Guffey, for
instance.
"Why, 1 thought you were down
on that man the worst way!"
"That's just the point-that's just
the joke OF it," said old D., with a
chuckle. "Fourteen years ago l met
Guffey on the steamer, coming round
here from New York. We had both
failed in trade, in Boston, he in Phil
adelphia; both of US fairly driven out
OF business by the usual slanders,
| iealousies and underhead defamation
peculiar to-well, to everywhere"
"Why didn't you go into partner
ship?" asked the junior.
''I'll tell you. After talking the
matter over, Guffey and l agreed
that the only way for a man with
small capital to get along was to have
some trusted friend on the outside
who would keep him posted as to the
doings of his enemies. Some one
whom they would talk to, don't you
understands
81 catch on,' responded the jun
ior D."
$50 we agreed to be each other 8
dummy enemy. And from the day
that we stepped off the steamer down
at the wharf, Guffey and have never
spoken to each other, except on the
1st and 18th of each month when
visit him in disguise, to compare
notes.
"Well, by joye!'
"It's fact, though. Every time
my enemies-and everybody has
them; they sorter grow, somehow
put up a job on me, or lie about me
or try to injure me in any way, they
go to old Guffey aud try to rope hin
! into the plot. He sympathizes with
: them; says I'm the most internal ole
wretch unhung, and then sits dowr
and writes me the particulars. GooC
scheme that, eh?" and the old mer
chant laughed until he was black il
/ the face.
f "Well, l should smile,' grinnet
the other.
s'Of course | do the same for Ole
Guffey. Why, I can't tell how man.
Thousand times I've scewled at hin
f on the street and remarked to who
ever l was walking with: There
the miserable scoundrel, Guffey. Sc
the airs he puts on because he i
l rich. I'd like to break his rascal,
t head with a club.
: "Was Guffey rich then?'
I "Why, no; of course not, at first
1t was part of our scheme, don't yo'
see, to brace up each others cred
under the cover of abuse. For in
s stance, I'd apply for big discoun
!, at some bank, and the cashier woul
), slip around to Gutfey for informs
ton, knowing that he'd give away a
y my weak points. Guff'ey woul
d scowl and say: well, l suppos
d the old villain is solid enough, b,
$ d-n man who'd turn his mothe
out of doors on a cold winter nigh
The old beast! l wonder they ha,
Is not tarred and feathered Diffenderf'
years ago. They say his grandmoth'
is in the poor house. With all b
money, too just think!' -
ssAnd does that help yOu!'
20 "Why, certainly. A bank cashi
~ doesn't care for grandmothers. VIII
At he is after is stingy old capitals
a and other Muldoons. Why, Gufft
" once borrowed $4,000 because
privately told McLane that G. b:
swindled the government on h:
million contract. Mac had him ,
to dinner next day. Think ov
what have said, my dear boy, al
90 thou and do likewise.
rv And promising to look careful
, around up at the club, which W
cram full of dummies of all kline
Il, young Diffeuderfer dived into
ulster, and hastened to get up
re Kearney street before the matine
nd let out.
A Cute Celestial.
tl,a Sol 7 a a Iribuua