Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-07-17
CHAPTER VI.


Drummond there was single salesman. a
young man of twenty-five, who wore a
cravat of immense size. and ostentatiously
displayed in his bosom a mammoth breast
pin, witha glass imitation diamond, which,
had it been real, would have been equal
in value to the entire contents of the
store. This young man, whose name was
Nichols, received from Mr.. Drummond the
muniicent salary of four hundred dollars
per annum. Having taste for dress, he
patronized the village tailor to the extent
of his means, and considerably beyond,
being at this moment thirty dollars in
debt for the suit he wore.
Besides this young man there had for
merly been younger clerk, receiving
salary of four dollars weekly. He had
been dismissed for asking to have his pay
raised to five dollars a week, and since
then Mr.. Drummond had got along with
but one salesman. As, however, the busi-
ness really required more assistance, he
was quite willing to employ Walter on
board wages, which he estimated would
not cost him, at the most, more than two
dollars a week.
"Mr. Nichols" said Mr.. Drummond. "I
have brought you some help This is
Walter Conrad, a distant relative"-lad
Walter been rich, Mr.. Drummond would
no doubt have styled him near relative
--"as he knows nothing of the business
you can take him in charge, and give him
some idea about prices, aEJ so forth"
Yes, sir" said the young man, in an
important tone. "I'll soon break him in"
Mr.. Nichols, who gave up what little
mind he had to the subject of clothes, be-
gan TO inspect Walters raiment He had
sufficient knowledge to perceive that our
hero's suit was of fine fabric, and taste
fully made. That being the case he con-
cluded to pay him some attention.
I'm glad you've come" he said. II
have to work like dog. I'm pretty well
used up to-day. was up till two o'clock
dancing"
Were you?"
Yes. There was a ball over to Cramp-
ton. l go to all the balls within ten
miles. They can't do without me-"
Cant they?" asked Walter, not know
ing what else to say.
NO. You see there isn't much style at
these country balls-I mean among the
young men. They don't know how to
dress. Now l give my mind to it, and
they try to initiate me. l don't trust any
tailor entirely. l just tell him what
want and how l want it. Higgins, the
tailor here, has improved a great deal
since he began to make clothes for me-"
Just then a customer came in, and Mr..
Nichols was drawn away from his disser-
tation on dress.
Just notice how l manage" he said
in low voice.
Have you any calicoes that you can
recommend?" asked the woman, who ap-
pcared to be poor.
Yes, ma'am, we've got some Of the
best in the market-some that will be
sure to suit you."
He took from the shelves and displayed
a very ugly pattern.
II don't think | like that" she said.
Have you not some with smaller fig
ure?"
"The large figures are all the rage Just
now, ma'am. Everybody wears them"
II should like to look at something
else."
"I'll show you something else, but this
is the thing for you"
He brought out piece still uglier and
finally, after some hesitation. his customer
ordered ten yards from the first piece. He
measured it with an air of triumph and,
folding it up, handed it to the customer,
receiving in return two-dollar BILL
which the poor woman sighed as she rem.
dered it, for she had worked hard for it.
When the customer had left the store
Nichols turned complacently to Walter.
How did you like that calico| he
asked.
1T seemed to me very ugly"
Wasn't it, though? It's been in the
store five years. didn't know as we
should ever get rid of it."
Haven't you got any prettier pat
terns?"
Plenty. I wanted to get off the old |
rubbish first. 1t isn't everybody that |
would buy it; but she swallowed every
thing said"
"She seemed like poor woman, who |
could not afford to buy a dress very
often"
mo, she doesn't come more than twice
year."
81 think you ought to have given her
the best bargain you could"
you can fold up those goods on the
counter, and put them back on the
Shelves" said Nichols. Customers put
us to a great deal Of trouble that way
sometimes. Mrs. Captain Walker was in
yesterday afternoon, and 1 didn't know
but | should have to get down all the
stock we had before we could suit her."
"Why didn't you pick out something
and tell her 1t was all the rage?" asked
Walter, smiling.
- ''That wouldn't go down with her. She's
rich and she's proud. We have to be care
ful how we manage with such customers
as she Is. That reminds me that her bun
die hasn't gone home yet. I'll get you to
carry 1t up right away"
1t had been considerable disappoint-