The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-04-07

himself and rubbing his hands as in
great glee. ''Clever chap that! I'm
commonly clever chap? he mnttered to
himself. Hes quite right. Young
Brownsmith did give up travelling; and
if he hadn't. he wouldn't be one of the
richest men in the county, as he is now. "
He rang the bell for the waiter. When
the men appeared, the little old fellow
said: what time does Mr. Hicks start
upon business in the morning Pr
swell, 'ardly know. sir. replied the
reg lar--in fact l can't call to mind
hever 'avin' seen him before. But the
gents mostly goes out about ten O'Clock"
"Tell the boots to call me at seven,
will you?" said the old gentleman; and
taking his candle, he went to bed.
The next forenoon, Mr.. Hicks saun-
tered majestically forth from the inn
upon round of visits; and as he walked
along he seemed absorbed in the con-
temptation of his own figure in the shop
windows, as if anticipating with no small
degree of pleasure the sensation such
representative of Hooker & Smoker
would make in the shops of the humble
tradesmen. He entered the establish
ment of Mr.. Willow, who said upon his
door that he was patronized by the Royal
Family, but assuredly not to a fifth part
of the manner in which he was patronized
by Mr.. Hicks.
Anything in our way, Mr.. Willow?'
said the great man, condescendingly.
Hooker & Smoker, you know"
Nothing for Hooker q Smoker re-
piled Mr.. Willow, solemnly.
Nothing, Mr.. Willow, nothing. Are
you quite surep' asked Mr.. Hicks, some
what astonished.
1--WE said nothing, think, said Mr..
Willow. ..rm busy. Please, go away,
there's good man."
Mr.. Hicks left the shop slowly and
wonderingly. Surely" he thought. as
he waddled on to his next customer
s.surely, no ones been interfering with
Hooker & Smoker. No orders from
Willow! It's unaccountable."
He entered the shop of Mr.. Burs-
lem, who, not being patronized by
Royalty, preferred not to be patron
lied by one, and who had the repu-
tation of being a curt, sharp, short
man of business. Mr.. Hicks entered,
and on the principle that time is money,
did not detail his business. merely in
dicated the name of Hooker & Smoker,
and stood with disorder book ready
open.
Nothing at all. my good man, !" said
Mr.. Burslem-''nothing at all-Good-
morningr'
..Not6ing at began Mr.. Hicks,
fairly bewildered.
mo; nothing at all. Good-morning,
put in Mr.. Burslem, so that there was
nothing to be done but to return the
wish riiefully and 60 ont.
snow there is something wrong"
said Mr.. Hicks to himself, as he stood
on the pavement outside Mr.. Burslem's
door. my two best customers, and no
orders! never knew it before, never!
Who can it bep Young Jones was here
two months back and got forty pound
odd in orders. And /, Joseph Hicks,
the chief traveller to Hooker 4 Smoker,
am told that there's nothing for me!
my good man, too, forsoothi Unjust
try Mr.. Coie - 49, -
He entered Mr.. Coles shop. Mr..
Cole was not there. but appeared in
few minutes. Mr.. Hicks went through
his formula. Mr.. Cole replied imme-
diately:: Not to day, Hooker 4 Smoker.
I'm supplied"
'.Suppliedr' almost shrieked IIr.
Hicks.
Eyes. suppliedr' said Mr.. Cole, but
not syllable more.
J Mr.. Hicks was now fairly reused.
the recollection of his tale in
the Commercial Room on the preceding
evening flashed before him. Could some
Of the young fellows have been playing
him trick similar in nature 10 that
which he had played SO many years be-
fore on young Brownsmith? S6tling
his anger and modification as best he
could he strobe on to the shop of his last
customer, Mr.. Ironstone.
"Nothing to day. Hooker & Smoker"
said Mr.. Ironstone before Mr.. Hicks
could put the question.
"Mr. Ironstone," said the astouished
Hicks, in an almost pathetic tone Of APP
peal, evil you tell me If any one has
been before me, and has done the bust
ness which hitherto Hooker & Smoker
have performed for you?"
"Hooker & Smoker still do our bust |
ness" said Mr.. Ironstone.
well, but l represent EN-" said Mr.. |
Hicks.
"Come. come" said the dealer, sooth-
ingly, as if he was speaking TO a child: |
ssdou>f take mn my tima fhoro.c a. crnnd
fellow. I've told you that have 10 or
iers, so go away quietly, or l shall be |
obliged to call your keeper"
my what? My keeperr' roarel Mr..
Hicks. "What do you mean, sirP"
Surely you don't think I'm lun@icr'
II dent think it; Pm sure Of It'll !
tnos0 it," replied Mr.. Ironstone, and |
coming round the counter he gently took
Mr.. Hicks by the arm, led him from the |
shop, and shut the door after him.
Mr.. Hicks stood rs one dazed for some |
seconds. The buildings seemed to reel |