Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-07-19
THE CLEVER
ASSISTANT
A DEPARTMENT STORE STORY
By II. BARRETT SMITH
lcOpyright, I9os, BY Joseph B. BOwles.l
A DEPARTMENT STORE STORY

cellent policy TO stand wei Win the
First " p, and at that gentleman
request the Buyer accepted Allen, with
thanks and without question.
Allen was tall. broad-shouldered,
clean-shayen, well-mannered. The
Buyer noticed that Allen understood
his business. that he was popular with
the drummers, that he received them
agreeably and parted with them pleas
antly.
Shortly after this the Buyer came
on scene that interested him greatly.
II took place in the anteroom. Allen
was surrounded by the customary
crowd, when. suddenly, a commercial
man pushed himself into prominence,
and said, effusiyely:
why, Mr.. Allen, I'm delighted to
see you herel Seems like old times"
Allen ignored the proffered hand and
staring coldly at the other ran his eye
over him from head to foot.
I'm Jones, of the X. Y. z. Novelty
company. Don't you remember me?"
There was a brazen aggressiveness in
the drummer's manner.
"Ah, yes, now that you mention your
company, | think | do Nothing in
your line to-day. Mr.. Jones'"
AS he passed out Jones looked over
his shoulder at Allen.
The Buyer noted the look-then his
mouth twitched Enthusiastically and
his mental comment was.
Something doing there all right!
Jones, of the X. Y. 2. Novelty com
pany." The Buyer thought moment,
then smiled maliciously and called to
the Office boy:
Call up the X. Y. 2. Novelty com
pany and tell them to send their sales.
man at ten, tomorrow"
The following day was not a buying
day. The clerical force had possession
of the anteroom. No one else was
there except a nervous young man who
furtively watched the door of the
Buyers Office. 1t was nearly ten when
this door opened Unexpectedly and the
Buyer appeared on the threshold. The
nervous-looking young man stepped
forward and began, with embarrassed
hesitancy:
I'D like to interest you in"
mo, sir" interrupted the Buyer,
promptly, you can't interest mel"
But this is a little article I've in.
vented"
What the deuce do I care what
you've invented?" demanded the Buyer.
But I'd like to SELL"
ITO what? Sell on Saturday? What
do you mean by coming round here
to-day?" The Buyer shook his finger
in the inventors face Then he point
ed to the black letters on the opaque
glass of his door do you see that?
Buying hours from to IL. Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays Idiot"
And the door was banged in the in
ventor's face.
rs there anything | can do for you
to-day?" came a cheerful voice from
behind him.
"Well-I-I hardly know-what to
ay-after-after that throw-down-"
ooN AhC
for self-possession. "oh!" he broke in
jocularly, that's only a little pleas.
antry on his part, as you would know
If you called on him frequently"
The inventor lacked the push and
hardness of the commercial man-and
he knew it. He shook his head, smil.
ing family, as he said:
81 was fool enough to think | might
interest him in novelty | have here
Il invented it. Perhaps, If you would
look at it"
Certainly. Step this way. We're
always looking for something newt
it's a good thing"
While the inventor and the assistant
leaned over the desk talking in low
tones, Jones came into the office. Sc
intent on reaching the Buyer that he
saw no one in the room save the Office
boy, to whom he gave his card.
Il think" said Allen, at length. that
this novelty is all right. Why don't
you get some reputable firm TO handle
it for your"
Inc company | was negotiating
with wouldn't handle it unless | sold
out to them, so took it away from
them"
Allen nodded approvingly. then
asked:
What company"
''The X. Y. z. Novelty"
Have you this article patented?"
Il have the patent pending"
Him." interrupted Allen, ''tha,
won't protect you when you are in the
hands Of dishonorable people"
II knew they were up to some trick!'
THE X. Y e. Novelty is a snide
concern. They have stolen. or tried 10
steal, every idea on the market-I've
had some dealings with them. Take
my advice and get your article on the
market as soon as possible. Now | sug.
gest that you take your article to some
well known house. They will tell YOU
their terms and you can depend upor
fair treatment
But I don't know WHARF 20 90