Catoctin clarion., 1903-04-16
Tale Of a Trade
Freeze-Out.
he Plan Of Aiphonso Beveridge, Com
M;ss,oA Merchant, Its Success
and Its Failure.

QNu JS rOEuIes
IN the inner office of Bcvcridge &
Co, commission merchants, AL
phonso Bcveridge, the senior mem,
a Der of the firm. rehectively putfed
sway at cigar with an ostcn-
.atious gold label. His feet were
ocrchcd upon his desk. His chin
ccsted ponderously upon a paEtlc-
ularly we'll favored necktie. His head
was philanthropically bald. His prom
nent eyes We're of an honest blue.
Alphonso Bcvcridge had the faculty of
looking at Il man with Il frank and
pcnsivc gaze, speaking meanwhile with
the most gorgeous intent to deceive.
He greatly prided himself upon this
happy little trait of character. Bev'
erdgc was considering how he could
cause his running expenses to slow
down. In this act he had the whole
world arrayed against him. Naturally,
therefore. he demanded absolute quiet
"ro get monopoly of the Japanese
commission business" cogitatcl BcN-
aridge, Il must get my goods landed in
Japan cheaper than my competitor,
Smith 4 Son. There are two branches
Of the commission misunderstanding
and forwarding. Both ourselves and
Smith & Son have the buying as close
as it can be arranged 1t comes down
then. to Il question of forwarding"
Bevcridgc smiled proudly at his logic
at present." he continued. "hotll
ourselves and Smith \ Son pay the
same ocean transportation rate. have
tried to get Il lower rate from the
steamship company but failed.
wondcr"-hcrc .Alphonso Bcyerdgc
smiled-"I wonder il put the scremS
on the steamship company"-h"rc hS
smile grew almost heatitc in its bland
innoccnrc-"I wonder if under those
circumstances | couldn't get better
rate than Smith X Son. Perhaps Jim
my Roscman could help me. By Joyc
I'll try it,
Hero, it Will be seen. was n tlorid
and elderly gentleman who Wore vio
lent ncckticS. spoke smilingly of put
ting on the screws and said by Jovc.
Under propitouS circumstances such q
man will go far, but it may he parcn
| thciically stated that he will not ne ocS
sarily come back in his automobile.
Jimmy RoScman was marine
! freight broker who made a speciality OF
! japanese shipments. lie was one OF
| those interesting characters who have
reduced commercial pantomime to q
science. When he talked business his
most important points Were delivered
| by throwing out his arms. n shrug OF
| his shoulders or delicate little play of
| features.
"Hello, Jimmy" said Reveridge
Take chair. | always liked the way
you keep your appointments"
Jimmy motiOncd slightly with his lef,
! hand An unbiased spectator. seeing
that gesture. would eagerly have made
affidavit to the fact that Jimmy hat
never been late to an appointment ii
his life.
"Now. Jimmy" said Bcvcridgc. g,
want you to do something for me. An'
| want it kept quiet. If YOU agree. IL
give you the brokerage Of all our Soutl
American frpights.'
Jimmy made 4 pleased motion witt
his left hand.
Now. Jimmy" said Bcveridgc. $40,
know that send all my Japancs,
freight by the Oriental Steamship Com
pany. They control al the shippn;
! to Japan ana they refuse to give IN
better rate than any one else" Bcy
eridgc's features assumed a bitter an,
injured look. and here | have 400
tons of freight month" he almos
howled.
well, now. Jimmy" he resume,
more quietly. II want you to advcrtis
an opposition japanese line of steam
ers. Then we'll make the old Oricnta
line think I'm going in with YOU. The
they'll come to terms. and I'll insist O
a good favorable rate. See! GOO,
enough. Now for details"
BY Jimmy's clever play of elbow
and the humorous manner in which Ii
gave roGuiSh set TO his beard il wa
plain to see that he anticipated muc
real pleasure from n little innocent Dul
ing of the Oriental leg.
Tie New York Manager of tho Or
entail Steamship Company sat in In
lobby of his hotel and communcd dark
ly with himself Heretofore his steam
ship company had had monopoiy q
the carrying business from New Yoy
to Japan, and now an impertincnt con
pctilor had raised its saucy head an
promised low rates to all its slDDor
crs. Therefore the manager of tb
Oriental Steamship Company con
muned thus darkly with himself q
he sat in Il retired nook hid from til
general gaze by Il large flowing palm.
Alphonso Bevcridge and Jimm
Roseman tlptoed from the hotel dinin
room and took up strategic positio
on the other side Of the palm. "He
there motioned Jimmy, wlnking ra,
lshingly st the palm.
] "Well Jimmyn said Revnridoo 90,