The daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 190?-1908, 1907-03-07
BEATING the AGENT
How Bert Sold his wife a Sow
Ing Machine.

Bert" said his wife shortly after
they were married i've got to have
a sewing machine"
Where's II coming from?' he asked
having i'm mind the savings deposit
they were making to buy a home.
81 don't know about that" she said
but my clothes and the clothes for,
you know who, will cost ready made
more than a machine would cost and
it's up 20 you to get tho machine
You can figure that out easily
enough She said she had TO have It
I'm one tone Of voice, and she said no
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 a way OF getting what she
wanted
Get me a Blue Ribbon machine.
Bert she told him when he got mp
one afternoon earlier than his night
work called for.
Then he went out on a tour of in
spoction which took in three local
agents for the famous Blue Ribbon.
I've got a 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"
In this way he found that there we're
prices for the Blue Ribbon ranging
from an asking price of SEQ to rock
bottom price OF $40
But what commission will YOU give
me?' he asked Of the $40 man.
"Ill give you a hve-spot," the agent
replied, looking Bert squarely 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 it," asked Bert.
mot 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
mission, 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
| in the way the agents jaw set.
"I'll take that five you promised me
now" Bert said, as the agent was
about to leave, after closing with Mrs
Reader on terms Of a deposit and a
trial of GO days, at the expiration OF
which the remaining $35 was to be
paid.
20, Wen settle that at the Office,
the agent replied, in the midst OF his
remarks TO Mrs Reader.
We'll, I'll take that five now," SAID
Bert, as they stepped into the Office
The agent laughed.
What do you take me for?" he
asked THAT was your wife"
Sure, It was my wife that sold the
machine TO-" said Bert. And that is
the reason why | can stop the sale
unless get what you promised"
Then she loses her five If the sale
stops" replied the agent, easily
"If / don't give the FIVE Mister
Man." said Bert, getting ugly, "the
sale stops and you can keep the five
but I'll throw it down the back stairs
a long flight of back stairs leading to
a hard cement walk"
The agent thought a few moments
do | get my five?" Bert asked
impatiently.
"I'll tell you what wen do, Mr.
Reader-we'll split the difference" the
agent, answered, taking out $3.50.
NAV, we don't split anything al
all" said Bert
This is yours or nothing" the agent
replied, holding out what he offered
as commission.
See here, I'm losing sleep talking
TO you, but | get my five out OF you
inside of an hour and a half in an.
other way!" exclaimed Bert.
I'D like to have you show me how
you'll do that, my friend" said the
agent. It's $3.50 for you or moth.
ing"
"All right You're on; til just lose
an hour or so of sleep TO show you,
Bert said as he went out
All the way down town Bert re-
volved plan in his head, and so he
was ready to begin action as soon
as he located the general manager OF
the Blue Ribbon Sewing Machine com,
pany.
IF | sell a machine for you at the
price OF $40 will you give me a com.
mission of five dollars?" he asked the
genial manager.
"Sure!"
"Will 1t make any difference wheth-
er it is sold to Mrs. Jones OF Mrs
Smith,"
mo difference at ALL" replied the
| manager, smiling.
If you promise me FIVE, you won't
go back on your word, will you?"
Most assuredly you'd get your FIVE
young man." exclaimed the manager
virtuously. That's the way this Blue
| Ribbon company does business, root