Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-09-25
AT THE WRONG STAND.

AT THE WRONG STAND.
Our Mr. Niblett will be in town on
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 9 and p. M, bring
ing the documents with him for sigma
ture. Yours faithfully,
"NIBLETT & CO."
you'd better go down yourself,
Hedge" said George Bankes, the head
of Bankes & Co, to his chief clerk, Nor
man Hedge. as he read the letter. Its
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,
tions.
Niblett & Co. of Liverpool consisting
solely of James Nibett) were export
merchants, and old Niblett was known
in certain circles as a 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 a celebrated sauce in which NibIett
a. 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 Nihett 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 a 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 Co
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
| toys which, in full working order, were
attracting quite a 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 Nibett would be amongst their
/ number.
! Hedge meanwhile saw the hands of a
/ big clock creeping slowly on toward &
o'clock. He tried to push the line on,
and one cross old gentleman (of whose
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 a French revolution
would be a child's affair.
At last Hedge arrived opposite the at
tendant
Have you seen Mr. Niblettgn he
asked breathlessly. "Bankes, my name
is-at least, ! represent Bankes & Co"
The attendant looked at him for n
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, / can't say. Why not
try Smith? Easier for you, and me too
Pass along, please"
1t was now ten minutes past 3 and
Hedge was in an agony of fear and per-
spiration. He had missed Mr. Nibiett.
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 gem
tleman, Il come from the city OF New
\ ork, 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 snag
1 I'm not buying any green goods TODAY
and Eve got a patent lock on the hin
pocket whore the dollars live. So loncla
In spite of feeling the immediate
need of ice to the back of his head
Hedge kept his ground, and aceosted in
succession a bishop. a man with side.
| whiskers who said he was 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 a sign from the attend
ant, who touched his forehead meaning
| ~, the policeman came once more into
the plot
Better so and have a cup of tea. sir"
he urged. Better luck tomorrow ner.
haps.
Sadly he moved away to the beautiful
Court of Honor, and pondered over the
dead past and the immediate future.
His throat was parehed, and experiencing
the sensations of man who had been