The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1908-10-15

"Our Mr.. Niblett will be in town or
Tuesday next, when the matter can be
finely settled. Mr. Niblett has to visit
the Franco-British exhibition on bust
ness, and would be glad if a represen-
tative would meet him at Messrs. Gar
toms stand between 2 and 8 p. M, bring
ING the documents with him for sigma
ture Yours faithfully,
"NIBLETT & CO."
you'd better 60 down yourself,
Hedge" said George Bankes, the head
of Bankes & Co., to his chief clerk, Nor
man Hedge. as he read the letter. cts
like old Niblett to do business at the
exhibition. Be firm. Hedge. Don't give
way. and if he doesn't like to sign as it
is, bring it back
Mr.. Hedge said that he understood
perfectly, and would act upon instruc-
lions.
Niblett & Co. of Liverpool consisting
solely of James Niblett) were export
merchants, and old Niblett was known
in certain circles as man who, at a
bargain, could not be placed second.
Now Bankes & Co. were produce mer-
chants, and as such held the sole agency
for celebrated sauce in which Niblett
& Co. did most of the trade. And James
Niblett had come to the conclusion that
the time had arrived for a revision of
prices-to his own benefit, of course.
1t was 2:15, and as Hedge walked
into the exhibition, he thought that if he
arrived at Cartons stand by half-past,
that would give old Niblett time TO have
finished his other business So slowly
Mr.. Hedge passed along the corridors,
admiring everything he saw, and stop
ping now and again to look at stall.
Suddenly Mr.. Hedge remembered that
he had never seen Mr.. Niblett! How
then should he know him, and why had
he not thought of it before he left the
office?
And then the soothing idea came to
him that, after all. there was nothing
to worry about. Old Niblett would
doubtless be known to the attendant
at the stand, and anyhow, he knew he
was elderly, and thought he had a vague
memory of reference to his white side
whiskers.
Cartons stand was devoted to the ex-
hibition of several ingenious clockwork
IL.
attracting quite crowd. With a little
persuasion, the spectators were induced
TO walk by the showcase in single file,
and Hedge thought it quite improbable
that old Niblett would be amongst their
number.
Hedge meanwhile saw the hands of a
big clock creeping slowly .on toward 3
o'clock. He tried to push the line on,
| old Of
kind there appeared to be plenty), in
formed Hedge that if he trod on his
heels again, there would be row COM
pared with which French revolution
would be a child's affair.
At last Hedge arrived opposite the at
! tendant.
"Have you seen Mr. Niblett?" he
asked breathlessly. "Bankes, my name
is-at least, [ represent Bankes & Co."
The attendant looked at him for a
moment, and then spoke with sarcastic
intent.
Speaking generally he said, 500
people per hour pass this stand. Whether
any of their names were Niblett, Nib
lick or Job Lot, I can't say. Why not
try Smith? Easier for you, and me too.
Pass along, please"
|
Hedge was in an agony of fear and per-
SEPARATION. He had missed Mr. Niblett,
the contract would be lost, and, in spite
of his years of service, he would proba-
bly, be dismissed.
At that moment an elderly gentleman
with gray side whiskers passed, and
Hedge almost fell on him.
excuse me, sir" he said, sis your
name Niblett?'
my friend" replied the elderly gen.
tleman, II come from the city of New
York, which, as you may know, is in
America. If you think you're up against
a sucker and can ring in any confidence
tricks on me, you're up against a snag.
I'm not buying any green goods today,
and I've got patent lock on the hip
pocket where the dollars live. So long!"
In spite of feeling the immediate
need of ice to the back of his head,
Hedge kept his ground, and accosted in
succession a bishop, man with side
whiskers who said he was a waiter, two
Germans, and an olive-skinned gentle
man who was taking breather from
one of the native villages. And with
each rebuff his despair grew.
At length, at sign from the attend
duU, VIII HIS lOICucdQ
| w, the policeman came once more into
the plot.
"Better go and have cup of tea, SIR
he urged. Better luck tomorrow, per-
haps.
Sadly he moved away to the beautiful
Court of Honor, and pondered over the
dead past and the immediate future.
His throat was parched, and experiencing
the sensations of man who had been
run over, he ordered tea. But it was
gall and vinegar in his mouth, and the
bread turned to ashes. So. silently and
sadly he folded himself up, as it were.
and slipped away
And when, at length, he sat down near
the iip-fap, the final blow came home
with sickening thud. He put his hand
in his pocket and found that he had lost
the Niblett papers-contract, letters,
everything!
And SO, with unshed tears, Mr.. Hedge
rose and walked towards the exit. His
way led him past Cartons stand once
more, and prudence warned him to keep
i at respectful distance.
But as. he passed the attendant saw
him, and sprang out like lion after a