The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-08-28
THE STORY OF DEBEv0ISE.
BY WILLIAM HAMILTON OSBORNE.
 Copyright, 1904. by Daily Story Pub.

0E 0 0lVN UT DASASs~ V~S@s BY WILLIAM HAMILTON OSBORNE. Copyright. 1904. by Daily story Fuo'
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 The general manager of the Empire Gum & Celantine concern, called to Debevoise:
 .Debevoise." he said, in solemn tones. "P. B. Hathaway has got the government contract, or will have it., this wear. I got it from the inside. This is something new for them, and it means a small fortune. And we've got to have their business. I want you to go out and sell P. B. Hathaway all the stun they'll need. Sell it. that't all" He stopped. Say, Debe- voise," he began again, you're a sober. For heavens sake keep sober this time"
 Debevoise flushed slightly. and turn ed on his heel. "Is that all you wan ted to sayT' he inquired. That's enough" answered the manager, you sell 'em enough stun so that they can make glue from now to kingdom come We need the money and we need 1t bad"
 Debevoise. be it said, was not the only salesman on the qui vive. There were several who packed up their grips about that time and started, as the crow flies. for P. B. Hathaway & Co.,, manufactures of glue and ink and other things. Perhaps MT. Timothy Higginson, of the house of Porter Birdsell. was the most alert of these
 I'm a cracker-jack salesman in gum." MT. Higginson was wont to tell himself, "Td like to see the man who can do me at the game"
 But Mir. Higginson. for a reason of his own, selected as his companion up- on this trip, a very sporty friend of his. whose name was Dobbins. Dob bins had a lively eye, ready tongue and a magnetic personality-but he was possessed of little money. though with an intimate capasity for enjoy |ment.
 Now. Dobbins." carefully explained Mir Higginson. you see this roll of bills?" MT. Dobbins, who had never yet been frightened by a roll of bills. look ed at 1t, ana reached for 1t. But Mir Higginson still held on.
 Now. Dobbins." went on Higginson, I've are going, you and I. down to Donaldson, on business. It is most particularly necessary that my con- cern. Porter-Birdsell. should get an order down there that means a profit to 'em of thousands and thousands of dollars Now you know me, don't you? You know that don't go around say ing things that amt so? And when tell you that there are a dozen men wandering down to Donaldson. and that there are lot more coming on behind them. and that out of those men-I am the chap who'll land taNt order-when I tell you that. you will wonder why I take you. I'll tell you. There's a man named Debevoise. He thinks he's the real thing in gum He's good. I will admit But he has one failing. Whenever he strikes a town the first thing he does is to fill up. and hang around all the afternoon and evening, far into the night, and next morning he sinners down to business but not till them. But then. he's all business. and nothing else. Now, here's where you come in. if Debevoise turns up in Donaldson this evening you're to take this roll of bills"
 Again did Mir. Dobbins reach for it, but failed to eventuate. "And." con- tinued Higginson, T depend on you to keep that fellow Debevoise drunk as a lord, all night. and all day tomorrow. That's the whole thing. Do that-with | this roll of bills, and can get that order. Whatever you do, keep him drunk, and keep him away from P. B. Hathaway & Co. That's all" They landed in Donaldson. And sure enough. as they sauntered down the street. there was Debevoise walking on the other side, grip in hand, hot and tired and dusty.
 They caught up with him, and Mir. Dobbins was, duly introduced. Now remember" whispered Higginson. into the ear of Dobbins, keep him away AI there in the hollow. and keep him drunk all day tomorrow"
 MT. Dobbins, past master in the art of making an evening go pleasantly and fast, started in. And MT. Debe- 1 voise, finding that MT. Dobbins was made up of the real fibre, joined him. They began with @ wine supper that diminished MT. Dobbins roll to some extent; then they took in the local theaters. then a gambling house or two then with a few other kindred spirits, sat about a table at the hotel and just drank, drank. drank. MT. Dob- bins kept constantly at the side of Mir. Debevoise, and kept up a flow of con- versation that was remarkable.
 'Higgfnson," remarked Mir. Dobbins to himself, " may know how to make money. but I certainly know how to spend 1t, all right. all right"
 Mir. Debevoise was not altogether at ease. Something seemed. from time to time, to trouble him. He was trying evidently not to forget himself. But Dobbins was constantly on hand with a fresh order and fresh sally, and a merry burst of laughter which attrac- ted Mir. Debevoise's attention from whatever he may have had in mind.
 Once he took out a note book TT mustn't" he murmured to Dobbins, T -I musn't forget-business. Business