Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-07-22
WILLIAM TELL
UP TO DATE.

Courcy Devereaux & Co. is the name
engraved on the plate of our office door
in Browns court, No. 113, third floor.
never go there myself unless there
is something special on. but my part
ner Courcy Devereaux, as he calls
himself. attends daily, if only for an
hour or so. for the looks of the thing,
and to read his paper.
AS for myself, l am the company"
Bloggs is my name, plain John Bloggs,
and when this office business was first
proposed, l felt hurt because Courcy
wouldn't put my name in full also.
But had to give way, as did to ev-
erything he proposed, for lie is Al, and
credit to his profession.
To what profession, did you ask?
Well l will try and explain it all to
you. but you must first understand that
my partner has an extraordinary head
piece for business. 1t is astonishing
the way he can think out everything.
"Bloggs, old boy" says he, one even
ing. about month ago. you remem-
Der that house l pointed out to you at
the corner Of Dovecot terrace"
II do. What of it," answered.
II am told that there is living there
one servant-quiet sore Of people evil
IDENTIFY, and as l know you don't like
dogs in your business capacity. l find
they do not keep one, big or little. To-
morrow morning. therefore, you must
proceed to Dovecot terrace; go to the
side door in the wall, and try to sell
the servant one Of the firms brooches"
and my partner smiled.
Next morning l set out. for part of
my work as partner was to carry a
black box occasionally, containing
brooches, which l sold to servant girls,
as q rule.
"Sold," said, but, seeing as how We
gave about three-and-siXpence each for
those brooches, we ought to have got 4
trifle more than the price my partner
told me always to charge, but he was
always so good-hearted, he was.
Charge sixpence each for EN-" says
he. 1--WE shall never lose anything by
being generous
1t was just like him-he was too gen.
erous-but l never had the heart my
self to sell more than two at that price
to one servant.
My plan of business was that, when
the girl opened the door, my box was
open too, and tempting show of
brooches met her gaze, and my three
words, "Only sixpence each,' never
failed to effect sale.
This one was no exception to the rule,
and in less than two minutes l was ex-
hibiting my stock in trade on the kitch-
en- table. l can tell you that girl was
no fool. for she picked out three of the
incest brooches I'd got, two of 'em for
her sisters. of course. 1t was fortunate
for me mat she hadn't got six more sis
ters. anyway.
Then arose a little difficulty-her
money was upstairs. and she seemed a
bit afraid Of leaving me by myself
while she went for it, which was only
natural.
Don't be afraid of me, miss: here's
my license. properly signed. Thomas
Jones is my name, as you can see for
yourself in black and white"
She was satisfied, and went away up
the back stairs ut once.
You see, when this brOoch-selling
business was started my partner could
not bear the idea Of having my proper
name put in the license-bless you. he
is so proud. and he would not for the
world like his city friends to know that
his partner hawked brooches to SER
want girls.
Bat II he is proud. am awfully Gu.
rious, and l could not control myself;
SO I stepped quietly across the kitchen
| and peeped through the door at the
back which led into the scullery. then
| tiptoed to the door which led to the
front Of the house. and. turning the
handle quietly, peeped through into
the hall.
Mice little place this, altogether;
should like one like this some day my
SELF" l thought. For these little
glimpses of different houses taught me
lot OF useful things. you know. as
pm observant OF matters that some peo
pie would not give me credit for.