The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-09-29


position, and was then surprised to learn
that the gentleman who had been so
complimentary was MO other than Phil
| ip's new chief. t AA--
Much conversation during the home
ward walk was devoted to this incident,
which had TO be retold and respeculated
upon for the benefit of Mr. and Mrs.
barnett; the good lady, who prided her.
self upon her far-seeing powers, express
ing her belief that a better thing for
Philip and Marian could not have oc-
Cured. "And mark my words" con-
cluded the good lady, lyon will both
often look back to this night-very
often. Now, remember what | say"
Philip tried to feel the same confidence
in this fortunate omen, but was scarcely
successful. Perhaps it was the unpleas-
ant character of his introduction to Mr..
Pike which influenced him, but he felt
an immovable dislike to that gentleman,
dislike which was almost akin to
dread. He disliked his voice, his face,
] his whiskers, and, above all, his eyes.
Yet he tried to share Mrs. Darnett's
sanguine views of the future, in which
her daughter at any rate was an unhesi-
tating believer.
Some days passed without any Incl
dent OF great note. The staff of Messrs.
More, Keelby & Co. felt even thus early
that the anticipations which had her
aided the approach of Mr.. Pike were
| likely to be fully realized, and that the
| business would receive an impetus from
his coming such as it never before had
felt. There was an immediate and
ceaseless activity in every department,
and rumors were rife of huge contracts
being undertaken in quarters hitherto
quite outside their sphere of operation.
Among others who were affected by
the energy of the new partner was Mr..
barnett, who was invited by letter to
call at the Office on certain morning;
and he did so, although with some trep-
idation and doubt as to what his visit
"on the books" of the firm to an extent
which, although small to them, was
serious to himself; and owing to the un-
fortunate issue of one or two pieces of
business he had lately undertaken, he
had not preserved that regularity in his
payments which is expected in mercan-
tile transactions. So he was filled with
depressing anticipatio1s, which, how
ever, were all agreeably dispelled.
His interview was with Mr.. Pike
alone; and he found the new manager
to be quick, decided, imperative, in
deed, in his manner; and the first half
dozen sentences he uttered showed to
Mr., barnett that he was thoroughly an
courant with all the bearings of that
customers account. This did not APP
pear like a favorable commencement;
BUT, to the surprise and delight of Mr..
barnett, the conversation took an I'M
looked-for turn, and Mr.. Pike pointed
out how much better it would be if he
made more extensive purchases and
| went in for larger operations. Not
only would he buy cheaper, but such
petty losses as he had lately met with
barnett WINGED as the other accurately
catalogued these-would only affect
the percentage OF profit, not, as now,
determine success or failure.
60" Mr.. barnett began, rather STAN
merngly, to explain that he should
much prefer to do thus, but
But, you mean to say" interrupted
Mr.. Pike, "that this requires either
capital or credit. OF course it
does; and as More, Keelby & Co. in
tend to throw off the sleepy, old-fash-
toned way in which their business has
hitherto been conducted, l can offer
you, on our best terms, all the credit
you are likely to require. So let us see
how you can go to work, Mr.. OAR
nett, and you shall not find our house
backward in assisting you"
There was of course little more con-
versation after this, but all to the same
effect; and barnett went home elevated
to the seventh heaven of delight, and
filled with visions of such fairy land
as an elderly struggling man of business
would be likely to picture.
This delight was certainly reflected
and heightened in the minds of his wife
and eldest daughter; and when the head
of the house had driven out to visit a
village where he believed some business
was to be done-he was timber-deal-
er, whose chief connection was among
small buiiders-mother and daughter
sat down to some needle-work in the
front parlor, in orderto have long and
undisturbed chat over the great an
nouncement of the day. Naturally,
much of what they said was in praise of
the new partner, his generosity, his de-
lightful manner; how fortunate it was
that he had come into the firm, and
what an excellent thing it would be for
Philip.
In this way the theme was sustained
and varied, until Marian, CHANGING to
look up, uttered an exclamation which
attracted her mothers attention; and on
looking up in turn, Mrs. barnett also
uttered an ejaculation; for there was
Mr.. Pike himself in the act of dismount-
ing from his horse at the garden gate,
| -. T.,