The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-11-28
ANDY HoeAN's BIG JOKE.

All along Market street and through
the wholesale district they know Andy
Hogan as one OF the best statesmen in the
clothing line When Andy starts out
with his eight big trunks full OF new
samples the factory gets ready 70 work
overtime. Whether it is entertaining q
customer from the country or outwitting
a rival on the road there are few OF the
boys" who ARE in it with Andy
Besides being a ''crackerjack sales
man, Andy is a great practical joker.
Next to landing a good order he likes
best to play good joke and in the pur-
suit Of his hobby he has small respect
for gray hairs, dignity, or anything else.
The absolute impartiality with which
Andy distributes his favors in the joke
line was never better illustrated than in
his masterpiece. Ia this greatest of
jokes Andy involved not only the old
man'-the revered and dignified head of
the house also his best customer,
one of the richest and most dignified mer-
chants of St Louis.
1t happened in this wise:
Andy" had often told the "old man"
about Henry Myrick. his st. Louis Gus
toner, and had as often painted the
virtues OF John Edwards, head of the
house. to Myrick. But the two men had
never met. Finally a trade banquet was
arranged for at one of the big ChicagO
hotels and Andy went down 70 St.
Louis to take a special invitation down
to Myrick.
The old man wants especially to meet
you" he said TO the gray-haired st.
Louis man, and besides the banquet'n
be worth attending on it's own account.
They've got a lot OF senators and con-
gressmen TO throw the hot air and
therell be great doings ali around
Myrick had promised to come and
Andy" had started to leave the office
when his evil genius tempted him. He
yielded and turned back.
By the way, Mr.. Myrick,'' he said, Il
forgot TO say that the old man is very
deaf. He's a little touchy about it, too.
Hates to have anybody think he can't
hear plainly, but as a matter Of fact he's
about the deafest man ever saw"
Alyrick thanked Andy" and that per-
son, chuckling inwardly, went out and
sold a big bill of goods just to work of
his high spirits and incidentally TO make
expenses"
When Andy got back to Chicago he
went into the 'old mans private office
and told him that Myrick would 'be up
to the banquet
BY the way" he added, as II the
thought had just struck him, Il don't
believe 1 ever told you that old Myrick
is as deaf as post. It's his weak point,
too. One of the reasons why I'm so
strong with him is that L always holler
at the top Of my voice when I'm talk
ing to him."
Mr.. Edwards thanked Andy" and
promised he'd remember and give Myrick
the benefit of his deepest and loudest
bass voice when they met. That evening
he told Mrs. Edwards at the dinner table
it was no wonder Andy Hogan was the
best salesman on the street.
The evening of the banquet came.
Andy met Myrick at the train and
drove him to the hotel. At o'clock Ed
wards appeared, and Andy" took him
into the cafe to present the man from
st. Louis.
Mr.. Edwards, Mr.. Myrick, of St.
Louis" said, Andy" shrieking out the
words in a shrill, loud voice. Mr.. My
rick, Mr.. Edwards, the head Of our
house"
"Andy's" tone was so loud and piercing
that it attracted the attention of every
body in the cafe"
Glad to meet you, Mr.. Edwards bel
lowed Myrick in voice Of thunder.
Pleasures mine, Mr. Myrick," roared
with the throttle pulled wide
open.
They shook hands and sat down.
ANDY" ordered a drink, and while the
boy was absent Myrick turned TO the
and said in an ordinary con-
versational tone, Great Scott, the old
man is deaf, amt hep"
This remark was, of course, perfectly
audible to Edwards, who was himself
that Myrick must be extremely
deaf not TO know that he was shrieking
at the top of his voice ANDY" made a
whispered reply. and then a suspicion of
what was up flashed into Edwards
brain. Explanations followed, but not
until after Andy" had excused himself
and left the room.