The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-05-18

Merritt S Flotation


THE premises occupied by the Nor
1 rift Cycle company We're, to put it
modestly, unpretentous. They con-
sisted of a small, dirty looking factory,
situated down a narrow alley of Birm-
ingham, and a still dirtier office, with
a 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
lonable boom was on, and, after a Law
Ish expenditure on gas pipe tubing and
hose pipe tires, quantity of alleged
bicycles were stored together and Of
fered to an unsuspecting public at the
modest figure of $50 each BY means
Of copious advertising in the daily pa
pers 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 cozv villa
in the suburb, where he and his com
pany," in the person of his wife, set
tied down. From being plain "BilI'
Merritt he sprouted out to William
Merritt, Esq, and instead of the cheap
blue cloth suit of former days he wore
good honest tweed, his copious eX-
panse of waist (for his figure had de-
veloped with his fortsnes) being orna-
mented with heavy and elaborate
gold chain and a 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 a 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 a gruff voice was heard
from the interior granting the stranger
admission, in a manner anything but
graceful.
Good morning." began the frocll-
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, eh ?'
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 COM
panY promoter, and I've got a scheme
to offer you that will put a bigger for
tune into your pockets than you'd make
selling bicycles in a lifetime"
By this time the oily manner of Mr..
Norritt's visitor had quoted the ruff1ed
feathers of the head of the Merritt
Cycle company, and a capacious cigar
box was produced.
1.-THE Merritt cycles" continued the
visitor, 'are now so well known that
we ought not to have the least difficulty
in getting the public to subscribe half
million of money for the business. if
we go about it in the right way. have
already fixed up Lord Fitzbroke, the
duke of Leedrop, and two or three 9th
er big pots who will join the board, if
we can come to terms. OF course, the
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 sense
to keep his feelings well under con-
troll.
''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. Where
are you stopping?"
81 am staying at the Grand hotel.
Suppose you step out with me and
have bit of lunch. We can go into the
details more fully and work out the
figures
with pleasure" said Mr.. Merritt.
and, after giving a few instructions to
the Office boy, Mr. Merritt stepped out
In rtrfkh IL rfrst III