Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-01-05
Buckingthe
Trust
By w. Y. SHEPPARD
toopyrisht, 1904. BY Daily story Pub. Coz

7 ANGLEY had cigar store on Lo-
Gust street. II had taken him two
years TO raise the business 70 point
where Il 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 II could support
Itself and Langley, and at the same time
pay OF each month part Of the deot
which had descended upon them during
the period Of nonsupport
For a time Il seemed as II Langley
would succeed. as he was an enterpris-
ing. energetic young fellow. shrewd be-
yond his years Then one day Mr.. A. T.
Roekway. the local representative OF
the cigar trust, blew into his store.
He had heard that Langley was push
ing a local brand Of cigars TO The detri-
ment Of the trust goods.
Look here. Langley" said the trusts
man. "this has got 10 stop. | like you
well enough personally; but business Is
business"
Langley tried to explain that the In
ereasing demand for the local cigars
vas not due to any effort Of his, Blu.
Rockway knew better
You've got 70 cut Turner & Co.'S
goods out, he said cor We'll cut YOU
Now Langley was not man to be die
tated to. and he fred up right away.
.If you think you can do It, go ahead, "
he retorted. "I've 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. II you think you can
run me out try Il.
Wen try It, and wen do It. J" snapped
the trust man. as he 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
! eIaes showcases halt in front OF the mill
| Iinerv store next door. Before night the
cases had been installed and filled,
1 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 ne wonder,
when the shop next door was selling five
| cent cigars three for ten and ten-cent
cigars four for a quarter. to say nothing
| ahopt the smiles that were given so lay-
] ishly with each purchase.
OF course. Langley met the cut in
prices; but the half-hearted grin he gave
| aUav was not nearly so valuable TO the
! smokers as was Sc charming smile
/ they received next door. The natural
consequences were that Iangley's trade
/ 5ronned of more and more each day;
and the business soon fell back TO a
noint where. instead Of supporting
| itself and Langley il supported neither
| II was Just four weeks after Lang
Iey's defy 70 the trust that Rockway
again blew into the store.
business pretty good, Langley he
asked after answering the young mans
surlv nod with a broad smile.
Langley did not c0ndescend TO reply.
! So the trust man went on:
"Heard YOU wanted to sell out Ia
like to make you an offer. but can't, you
/ know. We've made contract with the
voung lady next door to supply her with
! clears at the market price fer ten
vsars Bv-the-way, a pretty shrewa
| business woman she Is, too, Made rs
,prae not TO sell anyone else in this block
- the whole term Of the contract But
that's all right, guess. She's doing
dandy business; that's what she is. Or
Vel old fellow. II You don't care 20 dis
cyss ft-ta-ta. think / see your I'M
isb and pretty socn, too.
Langley spent bad night. There
were two notes falling due next MONTH
and he had heard from good authority