The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-06-17

! Dunham was the general nauasel VI
the Dunham Tool Company OF. CHI
cago. He had decided to get the same
order from Hardman for which Billy
Watts was 50 eagerly working. Dun
ham called upon Hardman the day af-
ter Watts visit.
Good morning Mr. Hardman,' said
he. My name is Dunham. Have a
card. l."
A wise looking young clerk put MS
head in the door. "A gentleman out
here wishes to see you urgently for
minute" he said to Hardman, who eX-
cused himself aud FASTENED out.
Dmham was alone in the office. He
threw one leg over the other and re-
fectively stroked his mustache. His
eyes roamed. He looked at the pic
lures and the furniture. Then he
looked at Hardman's desk. He sudden
ly left his mustache severely alone.
He leaned over with his eyes exceed
ingly wide open. On the far corner of
tbe desk was Watts letter agreeing to
uuderbid all competitors five per cent.
Dunham drank it in with a thirsty
look.
"Hm.hm!' was all he said. But how
he said it!
"Tn tell you what I'll do," he re-
marked to Hardman, as soon as the
latter returned. "I'll 60 back to the
hotel and make up a tender that will
capture this business sure" He picked
I'D his hat and left the office with a
menacing look.
80 that is Watts game, is it:' he
inquired of himself, heatedly, as he
reached the street. Five per cent.
lower than any one else and no limit
placetl, eh? Well. now, III just put in
a tender so low it will break his back
to get under it. III just give it to him
hot and heavy"
At this point it may be remarked that
when one man presents another with
something hot and heavy he should 60
about it gingerly. If the thing is really
hot, the owner is apt to drop it on his
own toes, and if it is properly heavy
the situation is one that invariably
calls for considerable profanity of a
high class order.
The board of directors Of the Gotham
Manufacturing Company sat in their
| board room. At the head of the table
sat Hardman, the president, abstract.
edly playing with his watch charm. AT
the foot was the secretary. Fianked
down the sides were the directors,
white whiskered and Of immaculate
linen. The secretary was reading the
tenders of the machine tool builders
for the new equipment Of the Gotham
shops. He read number of quota
tions ranging about 100000. Then he
took up the tender of the Dunham
Tool Company.
$50, 5,O00," he read.
The board whistled. At the top OF
the table Hardman smiled inscrutably.
He had the knowing appearance OF a
man who has heard the Delphlc oracle
practicing in rehearsal.
The secretary took up the tender Of
Billy Watts, of the Western Machine
Tool Company.
"Five per cent below the lowest fig
ure," he read. He made quick calcu-
lation. That makes $23,750," he an
nounced.
But isn't that bid irregular?' asked
the directors.
"This is a special case," murmured
Hardman.
Then you think we should accept
it," they asked.
Hardman smiled again. He looked
up at the ceiling with an unseeing gaze
as he took his old brier pipe from his
pocket.
"In my opinion" he said, gently, I'VE
should accept both of these low tend
ers. 1t will double our capacity. We
shall save about $150,O00 on the trans
action and shall therefore be able to
underbid all competition in our line"
The directors arose from their chairs
rs one man. AS one man they smote
the directorial table with their excited
fists.
by George, we'll do it," they cried
in enthusiastic chorus.
When Dunham, of the Dunham Tool
Company, received notice that his bid
of So, 1000 had been accepted, his per-
spration was remarkably free. At the
same time, in fairness to all concerned,
it must be confessed that Billy Watts
perspired quite as freely when he
found that he had formally bound his
company to supply 100000 worth Of
tools for S23,750.
And in conclusion it may be set forth
that when one man tries to take adVan-
tage of another in an unconventional
way he should carefully study his man,
the conditions of the case and the pos
sible results. Then. when he is sure Of
success he should take day off and
20 fishing. What is to be will be, and
if the fates have grudge against a
man it is better that he should fall in
the water and get wet all by himself
than to be held up as an easy mark to
tickle the risibilities of an unsympa-
thetic world.-New York Evening Sun.
Influence eofAdvertisiFg. OF
In a restaurant some men were dis
| IL. of NJ