The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-11-12
He STUCK TO HIS LAST.
An Interesting Dialogue Between the
Cobbier and the Fly-Screen Agent.

He had sample fly screen under his
arm as he came along to a small shoe
shop on Ludlow street. The cobbler
| looked up from his work, sized his
caller up, and then resumed his peg
ging without word.
''Nice weather, this" suggested the
agent as he sat down on the only chair
in the shop.
No response.
That is, it's nice weather for flies.
Beats all how many flies there are
around this year. Did you ever make
an estimate of the number of house
flies in New York;"
The cobbler didn'nt seem to hear.
''Anything like the full number
would run into billions. There are in
| your shop at the present time no less
than 6, 752 flies, large and small. TAX
ing this as a basis to figure on, and the
total in the city would be an almost in
credible number"
The cobbler dampened a piece of
| sole leather and hammered it out, but
said nothing.
But for the ingenuity of man the
house fly would make life almost pur-
! gatory during the summer" continued
the agent, as he nibbled at piece of
the shoemaker's wax. LEFT to his
own free will the pest would damage
this city $40. 000 900 worth every year.
The inventor of the fly screen was
greater man than Columbus. Have
you ever figured on the cost of screens
for the door and two windows?"
The cobbler was silent.
Probably not and you'll be aston
ished at the low price. Just let me
measure. Now, I'll figure little. All!
here it is-a result to astonish you. 1
can screen those openings with our
patent woven-wire cloth for - how
much do you think?"
The cobbler was furnishing off a
heel and never raised his eyes.
1T figures $3.50. but as 1 want to
introduce these goods in this neigh
borhood I'll make it even dollars.
Come, now, but it's the biggest bar
gain of the century"
The cobbler reached for his hook and
prepared to pail out the last.
II shouldn't want you to give my
figures away to the baker above or the
tailor below you, both of whom have
given me orders at regular prices. AS
l said, the object is to introduce the
goods and secure foothold.n
The cobbler pulled and pulled, and
the last finally came out with
''chuckr'
Remember that I warrant these
screens for five years, which is some
thing no other agent dare do. They
balk the fly, battle the moth, perplex
the mosquito, and make life miserable
for all kinds of bugs. Thew have an
aristocratic look, are generally accept
cd of I,,if+
you to find a business house in New
York provided with our screens which
can't discount its paper. Let's see.
What is the name please?"
You like some patches put on?"
asked the cobbler, as he suddenly
looked up.
Patches! Why, no. I called to
take your order for"
s'You want lift on your heel?"
Lift? Why, man, my heels are all
right. I want to supply these open
ings with our
mo work for you?"
No, l don't want anything done.
As have several times informed you,
/ called to-"
The cobbler sat down, picked up
an old shoe, cut a rise" for the left
side of the heel, and began driving in
pegs, and after standing for two or
three minutes, the agent walked to the
door and turned and said:
VERY well. I come to you not only
as an agent, but a public benefactor,
and you treat me with contumely and
contempt. In brief, you make me
weary. Suppose we say $3.50 for the
three openings"
No response.
Gan even $3."
Deep silence.
There is limit to what even the
fy-screen man can bear" said the
agent. That limit has been reached.
The worms turns. CO."
And the only response was a peg
getv-te-peg, as the hammer sent the
sharpened bits of maple deep down
into the heel.-M 7. San.