Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-10-13
the
Trust
BZ w. Z. SHEPPARD
Copyright. looi, by Daily story Pub. Coz

I ANGLEY had 2 cigar store on Lo-
Gust street. 1t had taken him two
years TO raise the business to point
where it could support itself and Lang
ley. When il arrived at that point his
sole ambition was TO raise it one notch
higher; that is to where it could support
itself and Langley, and at the same time
pay off each month part of the deot
which had descended upon them during
the period of nonsupport.
For time it seemed as if Langley
would succeed, as he was an enterpris-
ing, energetic young fellow. shrewd be-
yond his years. Then one day Mr.. A. p.
Rockway. the local representative of
the cigar trust, blew into his store
He had heard that Langley was push
ing local brand Of cigars to the detri-
ment of the trust goods.
Look here, Langley" said the trusts
man, this has got to stop. | like you
welI enough personally; but business is
business"
Langley tried to explain that the in
creasiug demand for the local cigars
was not due to any effort of his. Blu.
Rockway knew better
You've got 10 cut Turner & Co. s
goods out" he said, "or we'll cut you"
Now Langley was not a man to be die
tated to. and he fired up right away.
"lf you think you can Go it. go ahead ."
ne retorted I've got the only cigar
store in the block. And what's more.
You cant rent store in this block
They're all leased except Miss Child's.
the millinery shop. next door; and she
owns that. Now. if you think you can
run me out, try it,"
Well try it, and well do it. snapped
the trust man, as ne flung himself out of
Langley's store.
Two days later Langley was greatly
surprised and a good deal chagrined at
seeing big transfer wagon loaded with
glass showcases halt in front of the mill
iinery store next door Before night the
cases had been installed and filled,
every one Of them, with trust cigars.
Miss Childs, now no longer a miliner.
stood behind the counter dispensing
cigars and smiles in way that made
Langley feel sick at heart.
During the next week Langley's trade
fell off distressingly. And no wonder.
when the shop next door was selling five
cent cigars three foe ten and ten-cent
cigars four for a quarter, to say nothing
about the smiles that were given so lay
i5hiy with each purchase.
Of course Langley met the cut in
prices; but the haif-hcarted grin he gave
away was not nearly so valuable TO the
smokers as was the charming smile
they received next door. The natural
consequences were that Langley's trade
dropped off more and more each day;
and the business soon fell back to a
point where, instead of supporting
Itself and Langley, if supported neither.
II was just four weeks after Lang
ley's defy to the trust that Rockway
again blew into the store.
Business pretty good, Langley?" he
asked after answering the young mans
suly nod with broad smile.
Langley did not condescend to replv
so the trust man went on:
Heard you wanted to sell out. ia
like to make you an offer, but can't. Won
Enow. We've MADE a contract with the
Young lady next Goor to supply her with
cigars at the market price for ten
Years By-the-way a pretty shrewd
business woman she IS. too. Made us
agree not 10 sell anyone else in this blOcl;
for the whole term OF the contract. But
that's all right I guess. She's doing a
dandy business, that's what she is Or.