The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-07-22
Tough Luck Tales of the Road

men in his line and the house handed
him the most important work and the
biggest commissions. One of his spe-
cialties was landing customers who
were attached to other firms and new
er would buy from his house. He was
convincing, earnest, and so pleasant and
agreeable personally that his success
was phenomenal. There was big mer-
chant in one of the biggest towns of
Kansas whose business the firm was
extremely anxious to secure. This man
was sent out to land the customer. For
an entire afternoon he argued, talked
and showed goods. Finally the mer-
chant wavered and half agreed TO
change his line-and place a trial order.
Success appeared at hand when, just
before closing up the deal, the mer-
chant happened TO see the printing on
the order blank, and pulling it over,
read IT and remarked:
Just cancel that-I don't want a
thing"
Argument failed to shake him. He
didn't want a thing from the house.
The salesman, angered and disappoint-
ed, insisted on a reason, and the mer-
chant finally explained, saying: THE
head of your firm is named Arthur"
Whats that got to do with it?'' de-
manded the salesman.
Young man." said the merchant,
the fellow who eloped with my wife
was named Arthur"
X
l lost one of my firms best custom
ers on my first trip into new western
territory, and, although I regained him
afterward. it looked rather serious for
a time. The fellow always was good
for an order of from $500 to $500 on each
trip. He owned a big general store in
a "a
him four times year. He was loyal to
the house and paid promptly, always
discounting, so he was considered one
of our best.
1 dropped off the train there on my
maiden trip and went to see him.
introduced myself and, after sizing me
up from head to foot, he remarked:
Guess 1 don't want anything"
/ was shocked and disappointed.
hung around, talking on general sub
jects and regretting that he didn't need
anything, tried several times to reopen
the subject, and each time got cut off.
took a quick glance around and saw
that he really did need stuff, but, al
though l remained over until the next
day, he refused to talk
I had to drive across country to the
next town TO make, and, when l start
ed to drive back. rain had fallen and
TIC lluu was uctp, 81 put OIl an Oiu
suit of clothes. a pair of heavy hunting
boots and a SLOUGH hat. 1 drove up in
front of his store and decided to make
one more effort before giving him up,
although | was satisfied that some rival
had convinced him of the superiority
of their goods. The moment he saw
me he looked me over, then extended
his hand, and asked how my predeces-
sor was. / told him. being careful to
explain that he had been promoted and
had sent a special message of regards.
We talked awhile and then he re-
marked:
Guess I'd better place an order-I
need some stuff bad"
1 took an order for over $500 worth
of stuff hesitated to ask him why he
had turned me down the previous day,
but finally curiosity got the better of
me and ! inquired. He grinned a min
ute and then said:
Young fellow, 1 kind of liked your
looks, but 1 wasn't going to buy of any
Teller that wears patent leather shoes.
/ never wore patent feathers in that
part of the country again.