The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1902-11-28

can do anything about it,
"Why don't you make an offer to
these men to sell out your grocery de-
partment to them" asked John, qui-
city.
"Sell outw exclaimed Mr.. Rice. you
must be crazy, John"
mo, Mr.. Rice, think it is a great
opportunity to make a profitable
change in the store. l believe the time
has come when 1t will pay you to put
in a larger and better stock Of dry
goods and shoes and let the grocery
department 60 The new mill will
soon be built, and that will double the
mill trade Then, too, l 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 twenty-five miles to trade,
if they can get goods Of the same quail
ity and price at home. And more than
this, we can increase our trade from
the smaller towns around Riverdale
by little iudicious 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.
Il never see anythin like it," said
Uncle Josiah in great establishment.
The women just flocked 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. I dunno what he will do next"
But the noticeable thing that John
did next was not in connection with
the store. 1t was nearly a year later,
when the Judge Oakburn place was
offered for sale.
The house stood back some distance
from the village street in a little 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, solidly built, and it hat
a long portico in front, with tall pillar.
to support it,
Mr.. Rice" said John, "the OakburI
place is offered for sale at what l cal
a very low figure, and 1 should Xix,
to buy it. have saved some none!
from my salary. Would you be willin,
to lend me $500 and take a mortgag
on the place."
Certainly, john" said Mr.. Rice
"That will be a good investment 70
, you. have no doubt in a few year
you can sell it to one of the summe
people at a big advance"
John did not look as if that wer
, what he had in view, but he said carr
estly THANK you very much Mr.. Rice
But fear that you will not get yer
! rich out of the interest that I shall pa
you, for l mean to make a paymer
on the mortgage every month"
5 That's right, John, stick to it an
t I'll be satisfied"
Meanwhile, Mr.. Oliver Rush an
: John had become good friends, an
S John had given him increasingly lars
e orders for goods
: One afternoon the salesman can
e into the store and asked for priva
a interview with the proprietor.
T Il haven't come to sell goods to-da
d Mr.. Rice" he began. Il have con
to talk with you about John Armin
T ton. You know what he has done
r this store better than l do, but ha-
4. you thought what his future is goiI
e to be? OF course he isn't going to ST.
IF here in Riverdale always. He's t
Il smart and too ambitious for that.
4. I've been around this country
u good deal" he continued, "and +
seen a good many smart young m
re and honest young men that will sure
IN succeed in business, but 1 never So
- one that had his eyes front quite
steadily as John Arlington. No. \
I'd RICE, John has already learned ahc
It.; all he can here, and he viii soon stri
st out for a bigger place. / am in a
or sition 10 give him a good start in
If. city, with a good salary at once.
Is cause know he win more than 81
be satisfaction. I know that it will
We hard for you to give him up. but
az has got these other clerks trained n
so that they will do frst-rate wo
rs and when John is at tine head of a t
lie mendous business. and known all o,
the country, as he will be, you v
he be proud to remember that you q
he him his first start here in Riverdale.