The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1899-05-20
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\ Norritt's Flotation
Observation-Disclosures

THE premises occupied by the Nor
rift Cycle company were, to put it
modestly, unpretentious. They con-
sisted of small, dirty looking factory,
situated down narrow alley of Birm-
ingham, and still dirtier Office, with
small, square aperture in the wall
bearing the label above, Inquiries"
The Merritt Cycle company first
made its appearance on the cycling
horizon in the year 1896, when the fash
ionable boom was on, and, after Law
ish expenditure on gas pipe tubing and
hose pipe tires, a quantity of alleged
bicycles were stored together and Of
fered to an unsuspecting public at the
modest figure of go each. By means
of copious advertising in the daily pa
Apers the Merritt Cycle company actual
ly managed to dispose of these, and
more of the same were speedily put on
the market. In fact, SO successful was
the Merritt Cycle company that at the
end of seasons trading the head of
the firm was able to take a coZy villa
in the suburb, where he and his "com-
pany," in the person of his wife, set
tied down. From being plain bill"
Merritt he sprouted out to William
Merritt, Esq, and instead of the cheap
blue cloth suit of former days he wore
a good honest tweed, his copious ex-
panse of waist (for his figure had de-
velope@ with his fortunes) being orna-
mepted with heavy and elaborate
gold chain and gigantic seal. In fact
everyone was made aware of the fact
that "Old Bill Merritt" had struck oil.
Society opened its arms to Mr.. and Mrs.
Merritt, and the latter's jewels were
the envy of many a fair daughter of
Brum.
One day visitor turned up at the
Office of the Merritt Cycle company, and
inquired for William Merritt. The
dirty-faced urchin who popped his head
through the aperture asked the gen.
tleman for his card, and disappeared
with it in his little black fist. He re-
turned again to inform the visitor that
Mr.. Merritt was too busy to see him.
The latter was persistent, however,
and at last gruff voice was heard
from the interior granting the stranger
admission, in a manner anything but
graceful.
Good morning." began the frock-
coated and tall-hatted individual, as
he entered, but he was cut short with:
"Well, what the devil do you want?
What's your business, Ell"
With the utmost urbanity the
stranger replied:
my business, Mr.. Merritt, is of such
nature that it may put thousands into
your pocket"
"Um," said the head of the firm, 81
thought you were an advertisement
canvasser."
"But I'm not, Mr.. Merritt; I'm a com.
pany promoter, and I've got a scheme
to offer you that will put bigger for
tune into your pockets than you'd make
selling bicycles in lifetime"
BY this time the oily manner of Mr.
Norritt's visitor had quoted the rufflet
feathers of the head of the Norrit'
Cycle company; and capacious cigar
box was produced.
"The Merritt cycles" continued tn,
visitor, "are now so well known tina
we ought not to have the least difficulty
I'm getting the public to subscribe hal
million of money for the business, i
we go about it in the right way. hav,
already fixed up Lord Fitzbroke, tn,
duke of Leedrop, and two or three 9th
er big pots who will join the board, i
we can come to terms. Of course, tn,
valuable services of yourself will be re
tanned as managing director"
BY this time Mr.. Merritt was abso
lutely mesmerized by his visitor
though he had sufficient common sens
TO keep his feelings well under con
troll.
1.-THE fact of the matter is, Mr.
Tooley," he said, "I'm not really anx
ious to offer the business to the public
but I'll talk it over with Mrs. Merritt
and we'll see what can be done. Wher
are you stopping?"
ST am staying ct the Grand hote
Suppose you step out with me an
have bit of lunch. We can go into tn
details more fully and work out tn
figures"
with pleasure" said Mr.. Merritt
and, after giving few instructions t
the office boy, Mr.. Merritt stepped OH