The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1903-08-15
THE REPRESENTATION
OF
WILLIAM WHIlTLEBY, ESQ.
How Ski1mors Handlod Threatened
Competition and put the Blame
on the Girl in Red.

| ~ - - - ~ ~ -
| The Atlantic liner lurched unsteadily
! forward. The pleasure seekers below
lifted up their voices in protesting uni
son.
| On the promenade deck few am
( bilious spirits were deluding them
selves that they delighted in che grand
eur OF the storm. They noisily breathed
in the invigoratng air and lodged the
spray with set smile upon tnelr races
At times they looked around to OBJ
! serve the impression which they were
making. At other times they surrep-
titiously shivcred in the cold pene-
trating wind.
The most persistent promenader OF
the lot was Augustus Skidmore. VINO
was eagerly looking for certain pas
senger in red dress. Skidmore's busl-
ness was the manufacture and sale OF
few well paying speciaities used In rail-
road work. He had been in London Tor a
week yainly trying to locate the owner
of a number Of new patents Whlch
threatened to knock Skidmore's line
out Of business.
Perhaps this new man won't try
to get into my market after all" Skid
more comforted himself; anyhow,
there's nothing to be gained by making
mountain out of an anthill."
1t might be stated at this point that
few immediate able bodied ants OF an
inquisitive disposition will cause a
man much more physical discontinue
than the largest mountain which ever
reared it's threatening head in the mid
die distance.
In the smoking room things were be-
ginning to get sociable. 1t was the
third day out. Unaccustoined travellers
were proudly getting upon familiar
terms with the exclusive but unmistak-
able smell OF the ship. The old timers
wcro rapidly warming up into shape
and were telling fearful and wonder
full tales Of stormy times upon the
deep.
In ono of the cosey corners Skid
more was playing poker with the ir-
ritating air of a man who cannot pos
sibly lose. All was well with Skid
more. He had secured an Introduction
to tho passenger in the red dress.
Everything seemed to be coming his
way. Whittleby, his opponent, became
considerably annoyed at the regularity
with which Skidmora filled up flushes
on three card draws, and he turned
to conversation as more congenial to
the comfort of the voyage.
What did you say your business
was?" asckcd Whittlcby.
"Oh. I'm interested in railroads."
said Skidnore generally.
He took q number of blue prints
from his pocket and spread them upon
the table. Skidmore started slightly as
he looked at the drawings. He exam
ined them carefully and at length.
would you be open to an offer
for the American selling agency for
these:" Skidmorc casually inquired.
Il can make more selling them d.
rect" replied Whittle5y confidently.
What do you think Of tlem?" he
asked.
''To be perfectly frank with you."
replied Skidmcrc, Il doubt If you could
even get anybody to accept them free
of charge"
1t may be remarked here that II 1t
was included in the scheme Of nature
hat man should be kicked by mule
every time lie told :. lie, the intelligent
creatures would soon learn to back up
nto q good anticipatory position when
,ver t:oy heard chap indicate that he
meant to be perfectly frank with his
leighbor.
Wellington McBooth presented him
elf at Augustus Skidmore's Broadway
,ffice with = tragic air. The Office boy
egarded him with unconccaled sus-
,icion, and Or general principles kc |
stated that hIr. Skidmore had |
lot yet returned from Europe. The boy |
'rided himself upon bis knowledge OF |
and he intuit:vcly felt that !
frogged ovcrcoat does not harmon
ze with an unshavcd chin.
McBooth gazed at the boy at consid-
rablc length. The boy sqrirmed. At |
his cAac. psy Geological moment Nc
Tooth handed out card
"Mr. lSki,lmore is waiting for ne"
9 announced. "Take that card to. him |
His accent on the last word
'as Of such a Kissing :eEseness that
he boy shuddcrcd aud fed. He soon
eturRed with an agsreyed and Won