The Irish standard., 1904-10-15
Buckin8the
Trust
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Coy
By w. Y. SHEPPARD


] ANGLEY had cigar store on Lo-
Il Gust street. 1t had taken him two
years to raise the business to point
where it could support itself and Lang
ley. When it 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 a 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
we'll enough personally; but business is
business"
Langley tried to explain that the in
creasing demand for the local cigars
was not due to any effort of his. But
Rockway knew better.
you've got to cut Turner & Co.'S
goods out" he said, cor Well cut you"
Now Langley was not man to be die
tated to, and he fired up right away.
eff you think you can do it. go ahead"
he retorted. give got the only cigar
store in the block. And what's more,
you can't rent a 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 We'll do it," snapped
the trust man, as he flung himself out of
Langleys store.
Two days later Langley was greatly
surprised and a good deal chagrined at
seeing a big transfer wagon loaded with
glass showcases halt in front of the mill
linery 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 a 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 for ten and ten-cent
cigars four for quarter to say nothing
about the smiles that were given so Law
ishly with each purchase.
Of course, Langley met the cut in
prices; b,k the half-hearted 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 q
point where, instead of supporting
itself and Langley, it supported neither
1t 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
surly nod with broad smile
Langley did not condescend to reply
So the trust man went on:
6edTu you WduLeu 10 sell out, l'C
like to make you an offer, but can't. vol
know. We've made a contract with the
young lady next door to supply her with
cigars at the market price for ter
years. By-the-way, a pretty shrewt
business woman she is, too Made II:
agree not to sell anyone else in this BLOCK
for the whole term of the contract Bu
that's all right, guess. She's doing. {
dandy business; that's what she is Oh
we'll, old fellow, if you don't care to dis
cuss it-ta-ta. l think see your fill
ish and pretty socn, too
Langley spent a bad night. Their
were two notes falling due next month
and he had heard from good authorit,
that they had been bought by Rockway
Truly Langley found bucking the trus
very Improbable occupation.
Next morning he started for the stor
early. AS he was in the act of passn:
the one-time millinery'shop. he heard al
energetic banging at the door. Turning
he saw a sweet. though rather fushe,
face bending over lock while tw,
white, dimpled hands were making Wig
orous, yet vain, efforts to turn a key.
For moment Langley did very un