The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1902-12-27

| tHrprising manufacturer offered MIN nA&u-
er salary and sent him forth 70 new TT
umphs with different display Of sam
pies. That was in the old days, Of course
before nearly every speciality fell into
the hands of some trust--in the good olQ
palmy days when commercial traveller
had to be something more than sand
wich man" or distributor Of circulars 70
succeed.
Oliphant won with every branch Of the
trade. and'as be rambled leisurely over the
Incompatible 'land Of the afternoon"
made for himself plans Of the future,
which contemplated settling down in his
favorite town with his favorite girl TO
spsnd the afternoon and evening of his life
in the calm avoidance Of hotels, time n
bles. price lists and route schedules
Perhaps it was I natural sequence, but
anyway it was Oliphant's luck to find that
the best girl be knew lived in the very
town upon which he had set his heart.
The town was Hermosa, picture VI
lage nesting in the mountains lap: Inc
girl was Hannah Trip, buyer, bookkeep--
er. partner and general manager OF one q
the two general stores of the town.
For nearly ten years she had been one Of
his best customers From his first visit ne
had never failed to get from Hannah IN
order for hardware, woodenware, china
ware, druggists sundries, paint and putty!
or whatever happened to be IN his line.
Old man Tripp, her father, LETT all the
buying to her, and 50 far as Oliphant knew
shs was as shrewd as she was pretty, ana
a. good fnancier as she was good
housekeeper. The rival store OF Hermoss
was kept by Ike Axelstein, weazen huck-
ster Of forbidding mien, who had nos
bought 800 worth from Olpihant in as
many months.
The aood-natured Oliphant, who loved
Hannah's flial LOYALTY best Of all hsr rood
quantities, had w0oed her IN the most unk9
mantle and most rational way, and, old
man Tripp having been kept out OF the -
cret for reasons which Hannah kept 70
herself, she had promised to name the
wedding day, when, by fortuitous CON.
bination, her lover had made up his mind
to quit the road and her father had made
up his mind to quit business.
AT last one day, after an absence OF ~
months. Oliphant walked into the store ots
Tripp & Co., and for the first time found
the old man enthroned on the high stool
behind the cashiers desk.
where's Miss Hsnnah!" chirped the
rosy travelling man, after they had ex
changed situations
LEFT for Denver this morning, said
Tripp, sliding his spectscles down to tns
end Of his nose, sbut we don't want moth.
in nohow. Fact is, made up my mind
T. sell out. l."
aSell out!" gasped Oliphant. "Why.
didn't know-why didn't you tell me
sYep; sell out, that's what. And Han
ner's gone to Denver for to be school
teacher"
"Why, thought you never would sell
ont. Tripp," Oliphant was saying -
thought your heart was 50 set on TINS
business j,
"An' so twas, growled Tripp. =
thought Hammer never made no mistakes
an i left the buyin' all to her. jest LOOK
here, Oliphant."
The old fellow got off his stool and led
the way back into the musty wareroom,
where he stood in melancholy solemnity
pointing to piles and rows of dust-coyered
woodenware, chinaware, hardware, drug
cists' sundries, paint and putty.
ssThere's $4,000 wlth O them burned
things" said Tripp. Lord knows what
made Hammer buy 'em. But she did, an
what's more, she paid for 'em, an stood
off the firms which was sellin us live
goods"
.trolled amongst the mountains Of dead
stock II was all his goods. Hannah had
not only bought from him, but had paid
his house and let others wait for their
pay.
to sell OUT" said Trip, "but it's Hammers
eoin' to taown that worrits me most Sne
cried like baby when we went over them
invoices an looked over what we owe.
WHY. the best price can git for the store
won't more'n pay what we owe, an IN
paw if I've got to die in the porehouse.
0Lphant heard no more, said no more
till the old chap asked:
ssWhat are you sellin this timer
Nothing, Trip, nothing. Fact IS
iust-Tripp, did you know that Axelstein
was selling outy'
Eyes, / knowed it. He's sellin out be-
cuz he's too rich for Hermosa an I'm sell
ing out becuz I'm too pore"
ssHes sold out, Tripp. Sold out this
morning"
$50? Wonder who bought him< Sohe
other skinhint, l reckon"
Just then Hannah, pale, tired and lug.
ging big telescope valise, came in, stared
a second at Oliphant, gave him her hand
and sat down on soap box.
.T missed my train, papa" was all she
said.
sGlad of it, Hammer" said Trip.
Here's Oliphant been telling that old Ak
elstein has done sold his store. Wonder
who bought it."
'Why, he bought it, papa. Mr.. Oliphant
bought it himself not two hours ago. It's
all over town" Hannah's blue eyes re-
earded her lover bit reproachfully as she
said this. Perhaps she was thinking OF
the dead stock in the wareroom; perhaps
she was wondering why be didn't at least
make a bid on her fathers store. The big
fellow, with his back to the door, was do
ing a little thinking, too. Gradually