Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-04-18
Tale Of a Trade
Freeze-Out.
lie Plan CT Alphonso Beverage, Com
mission Merchant, its Success
and Its Failure.
vN the inner office of Beverage &
Il Co. commission merchants. Al

Is the inner office of Bevcrilgc &
Co. commission merchants. Al
phonso EcvcTdge. the senior mem
Der of the firm. reilectiveiy puifed
away at cigar with an oStcn-
tatious gold label. His feet were
perched upon his desk. His chin
rested ponderously upon n partic-
ularly well favored necktic. His head
was phlanthropically bald. His prom
inent eyes were OF an honest blue
Alphonso Bevcridge had the faculty Of
looking mt man with frank AMI
pensive gaze. speaking meanwhile with
the most gorgeous intent To deceive.
He greatly prided himself upon this
happy little trait Of character. Bev-
eridge was considering how he could
cause his running expenses 10 slow
down. In this act ne had the whole
world a!rayed against him. Naturally.
therefore. lie demanded absolute quiet.
''To get 4 monopoly of the Japanese
commission business cogitated Bev-
cridge. Il must set my goods landed in
Japan cheaper than my competitor.
Smith & Son. There are two branches
of the commission misunderstanding
and forwarding. EotiI ourselves and
Smith & Son have the buying rs close
as it can be arranged. 1t comes down.
then. TO a question OF forwarding
Beveridge smiled proudly ut his logic
AT present" he continued. both
ourselves and Smith x Son pay the
same ocean transportation rate. have
tried 10 get lower rate from the
steamship company. but failed. |
wonder"-here Alphonso Beverage
smiled-"I wonder il put the Seems
on the steamship company"-hcre his
smile grew almost beatific in its bland
innocence-"I wonder if under those
circumstances l couldn't get Il better
rate than Smith * Son. Perhaps Jim
my ROseman could help me. By Joyc.
I'll try it,
Here. il will hc seen. was 4 ford
and elderly gentleman who Wore vio-
lent neckties. spoke smilingly of put
ting OH the screws and said by Jovc."
Under propitious circumstances such Il
man will go far. but it may be parea-
thetically stated that he will not neces-
sarily come back in his automobile.
Jimmy Eosemar was Il marine
freight broker wl-o made 4 speciality OF
japanese shipments. He WAS one of
those interesting characters who have
reduced commercial THntomime 10 4
science. When he talked business his
most important points were delivered
by throwing out his arms. shru= o.
his shoulders or Il delicate little pay OF
features.
Hello. Jimmy" said Beveridge
"Take Il chair. ! always liked the WAY
you keep your appointments"
Jimmy motioned slightly with his left
hand. An unbiased spectator. seeing
that gesture. would eagerly have made
affidavit 10 The fact that Jimmy had
never been late to an appointment in
his life.
''Now, Jimmy" said Re seTidce. 81
want You 10 do something: for me- And
want it kent quiet IF you agree. I'll
give You the brokerage of all our South
American freigh;s.''
Jimmy made Il pleased melton with
his left hand
Now. Jimmy" said Bevcr:ige. "you
know that l send al my Japanese
freight by the Oriental Steamship Com
pany. They control all the shipping
10 Japan and they refuse to give ne
better rate than any one else" Bev-
eridge's features assumed bitter and
injured look. And here I have 1000
tons of freight Il month";" he almost
howled
''Well. now. Jimmy he resumed
more quietly. Il want You 10 advertise
an opposition Japanese lire OF steam
ers. Then we'll make the old Oriental
line think I'm going in with you. Then
they'll come to terms. and I'll insist on
n good favorable rate. See: Good
enough. Now for details"
BY Jimmy's clever play of elbows
and the humorous manner in which he
gave ro=uish set TO his beard. ii was
plain to zoe that he anticipated much
real pleasure from little innocent pull
ing of the Oriental leg.
The New York Manager of tho ORR
entail Steamship Company sat in the
lobby of his hotel and communcd dark
" with himself Heretofore his steam
ship company had had monopoly Of
the carrying business from New York
TO Japan. and now an impertinent com
petitor had raised its saucy head ana
promised low rates to all its support
ers. Therefore the manager of the
Oriental Steamship Company COM
muned thus Garhly with himself rs
he sat in retired nook hid from the
general gaze by large flowing palm.
AlphOnso Beveridgc and Jimmy
Eoseman tiptoed from the hotel dinia.
room and took up strategic position
on the other side OF the palm lie i
there" motioned Jimmy, winkins raw
ishingly Mt the palm.
well. Jimmy" said Beveridgc. IAN!
how's your opposition Japanese line OF
steamers making OUT"
Behind the palm the eyes of the man
ager of the Oriental Steamship Com
pany grew large with sudden intelli-
gence. He silently put his foot on his
cigarette and listened sreedily for jim
lny's answer.
We'll" said Jimmy. i've got 4 lot
of little shippers into line. and if can