The Tupelo journal., 1902-11-07

quietly.
"Sell out!" exclaimed Mr.. Rice.
"You must be crazy, joint"
mo, Mr.. Rice, l think it is a great
opportunity to make a profitable
change in the store. ] believe the
time has come when it will pay you
to put in q larger and better stock
Of dry goods and shoes and let the
grocery department go. The new
mill will soon be built, and that will
double the mill trade. Then, too, I
believe that with a high-grade stock
of dry goods we can catch a good
deal of the trade that goes to Rutland
now. People won't travel 25 miles
to trade, if they can get goods
of the same quality and price at
home. And more than this, we can
increase our trade from the smaller
towns around Riverdale by a little
judicious advertising in the Tribune"
So Johns idea prevailed, and the
store was entirely remodeled. The
old windows, with wooden shutters
that were put up every night, we're
taken away, and in their place was
a fine show-window where John could
make an attractive display of new
goods.
81 never see anythin' like it," said
Uncle Josiah in great establishment.
The women just focked into the
store after the fine things that John
fixed up so scrumptious in the new
winder. And what do you s'pose he
did when he was like to run out of
the goods? just rushed up to the
depot and ordered a hull carload by
telegraph. Yes, sir, he did. 1 dun
no what he will do next"
But the noticeable thing that John
did next was not in connection with
the store. 1t was nearly u year Ia
ter when the Judge Oakburn place
a offered for sale.
The house stood back some dis
lance from the village street in a lit
tie grove of naples, and there were
several acres of land connected with
it. 1t was one of the oldest houses
in town, but it was a large house,
oolibiN bul1o, III IL lldd d lung t)OI-
tico in front with tall pillars to sup
port it.
"Mr. Rice" said John. "the Oak
burn place is offered for sale at what
[ call a very low figure, and L should
like to buy it. L have saved some
money from my salary. Would you
be willing to lend me $500 and take
a mortgage on the place."
certainly, John" said Mr.. Rice.
THAT will be a good investment for
you. I have no doubt that in a few
years you can sell it to one of the
summer people at a big advance"
John did not look as if that were
what he had in view, but he said
earnestly, ''Thank you very much,
Mr.. Rice! But 1 fear you will not get
very rich out of the interest I shall
pay you, for 1 mea to make a pay
ment on the mortgage every month"
That's right, John, stick to it and
I'll be satisfied"
Meanwhile, Mr.. Oliver Rush and
John had become good friends, and
John had given him increasingly large
orders for goods.
One afternoon the salesman came
into the store and asked for a prf-
vate interview with the proprietor.
Il haven't come to sell goods to-
day, Mr.. Rice" he began. 81 have
come to talk with you about
John Arlington. You know what
he has done in this store better than
I do, but have you thought what his
future is going to be? Of our he
isn't going to stay here in Riverdale
always. He's too smart and too am
bilious for that.
Give been around this country a
good DEAL" he continued, "and I've
seen a good many smart young men
ly succeed in business, but I never
saw one that had his eyes front quite
SO steadily as John Arlington.
Now, Mr.. Rice, John has already
learned about all he can here, and
he will soon strike out for a bigger
place. I am in a position to give him
a good start in the city, with a good
salary at once, because l know he
will more than give satisfaction. I
know that it will be hard for you to
give him up, but he has got these
other clerks trained now so that they
will do first-rate work, and when
John is at the head of q tremendous
business, and known all over the
country, as he will be, you will be
proud to remember that you gave
him his first start here in Rivervale."
Enoch Rice did not answer at once
when Oliver finished speaking. "Rice
is really getting to be an old man."
thought Rush. ~ never noticed it
before"
Enoch drew his fingers along the
desk a few times, and looked care
fully to see whether they gathered
any dust.
WELL" he sighed, 81 suppose this
had to come some time. Have you
spoken to John about it?"
mo. 1 thought 1 ought to speak
to you first. / am going to invite him
to come owe to my oom at the no.
tel"
81 wish you would be kind enough
to ask John to step here to the desk
before he goes" But Enoch's heart
sank rs he saw John coming briskly
toward him.
"John," he began, II understand
that Mr.. Rush has a very attractive
offer to make to you to-day. / am
not trying to f~orestall him or to
compete with him, but L thought