The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-11-29
BEATING THE AGENT
How Bert Sold His Vile a Sew
ing Machine.

| you know who, will cost ready made
mose than a machine would cost, and
it's up to you to get the machine"
You can figure that out easily
enough She said she had To have It
in one tone of voice, and she said he
couldn't use the coin on hand in an.
other tone Of voice, and he balanced
the two tones and found he had TO
think out way of getting what she
wanted
Get me a Blue Ribbon machine,
Bert she told him when he got up
one afternoon earlier than his night
work called for
Then he went out on a tour Of in.
spection which took in three local
agents for the famous Blue Ribbon.
I've got customer for you,' he
said to each one of the agents. "But
the price has got to be rock bottom.
Tell me what you can do"
Ia this way he found that there were
prices for the Blue Ribbon ranging
bottom price of $40.
But what commission Will YOU give
me?" he asked of the $40 man.
III give You five-spot," the agent
replied. looking Bert squarcly in the
eye, when he saw that was the least
he could offer and still get the Gus
toner
1T doesn't make any difference who
the customer is, does ito" asked Bert
Not at ALL. said the agent, you
give me the customer, and at $40,
and the five is yours"
We'll, come on with your machine |
and I'll take you right there as soon
as you can load it in your buggy"
said Bert
He had weeded out the excess com
had raked out an extra five /
dollars, and was feeling pretty good.
But when he introduced the agent to |
his wife, with an announcement of
The price as $40, he saw trouble ahead
N the way the agents Jaw set.
"I'll take that five you promised me
low,' Bert said as the agent was
about to leave, after closing with Mrs.
Reader on terms of a deposit and a
rial of 60 days, at the expiration OF
which the remaining $50 was to be
,aid
20, Wen settle that at the Office"
he agent replied. in the midst of his
emarks to Mrs. Reader
We'll, III take that five now" said {
bert, as they stepped into the office
The agent laughed I
What do you take me for?" he i
sked That was your wife" 5
Sure, it was my wife that sold the
Machine to" said Bert And that is
he reason why ! can stop the sale I
Mess get what you promised 7
Then she loses her five if the sale >
TOPS replied the agent, easily =
IF | don't give the FIVE, Mister
lam" said Bert, getting ugly, tho
lie stops and you can keep the five, +,
ut I'll throw it down the back stairs, y
long flight of back stairs leading to !,
hard cement walk
The agent thought few moments. :,
do | get my five?' Bert asked. :
lpatiently.
"Tll tell you what well do. Mr..
eader-we'll split the difference, the >
yent answered. taking out $3.50 .
Nav. we don't split anything at
L. said Bert. -
This is yours or nothing" the agent
piled holding out what he offered
commission.
See here, I'm losing sleep taking
YOU. but | get my five ont of you
side of an hour and q half in an
lcr way" exclaimed Bert
I'D like to have You show me how vs.
ull do that, my friend said the u
Ont. ITS $3.50 for You or moth
:"
An right You're on I'll just lose OF
hour or so OF sleep TO show YOU" er
TT said as he went out. IN
All the way down town Bert re- of
wed plan in his head and so he ia
s ready to begin action as soon n.
he located the general manager of an
; Blue Ribbon Sewing Machine com tn
". co
If | sell a machine for you at the in!
ce of $40 will YOU give me com sa
8sion Of five dollars?" he asked the Nj,
lial manager. RAJ
Sure" ov
viii IT make any difference wheth. by
il is sold to Mrs. Jones OF Mrs. pa
ith?" ar.
No difference at ALL" replied the con
nager. smiling inc
If you promise me five. you won't of
back on your word. will you?"
Most assuredly you'd get your five.
ng man." exclaimed tho manager.
uonsly. That's the way this Blue
bon company docs business. root
branch, Our word is as good az
ond,"
Vel, that's what thouzht. but
J Belmont avenue agent promised d,
commission of five dollars for
ng a machine AT that price under -
same conditions. and when he w.
vi II was my wife ] was selling '''
machine to he baked on the com .'''
sion-and here is a receip; for i"7
dollars which ! wish you would e.'
up for me now" -iH"
srt laid the receipt before him ~
The manager. after glancfng it
+. made him out a new one for ten
lrg i-sA