Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1909-11-17

-Cl6 younger NIL LUZ SoH
sidered mentally that from his man
ner and his evident youth, this buyer
was likely to be a ready customer,
and not one to stick at prices.
"We have a consignment Of extra
fine oranges from Florida, but we
hold them pretty high" he said,
smoothly. "You see, the season has
been rather unfavorable, and first
rate fruit is getting scarcer every day.
We ask eight dollars per box for
these, but we consider them worth
it,"
He had a box upon his hand as he
spoke. On its side stood out in bold
letters, Curtis Everett" and the
younger mar gave a distinct start,
which, however, escaped Mr.. Hollis
notice. The merchant opened the lid
and took out a paper-wrapped orange.
packed" he. said, turning to Colonel
Irving. Each one perfect-never
have handled a better lot CT fruit.
The consignee, Mr.. Everett, is Il
young man, but he understands fruit
growing and fruit-packing thorough
ly, and his name is a guarantee that
the oranges are fi%rst-class."
"Humph!" here put in the elder
stranger. "None of them bruised,
eh?"
Bruised" said Mr.. Holt, in an in
jurcd tone. GLOW could they be,
with such packing as that? No, sir;
we a guarantee that every one of
the two hundred and seventeen boxes
is in A No. 1 condition, and the fruit
frst-class in every respect"
1.-TWO hundred and seventeen-is
that all?" asked the younger visitor.
at should have been glad to have
three hundred"
@Well, we can fill the rest Of your
order with very fair fruit at six OF
seven dollars" said the commission
merchant, but we have no more like
these in stock at present. They are
really an unusual lot, and cheap at
the price"
81 think so,' said the young man,
decisively. 81 will take the two hun
dred and seventeen, and 1 will Pc;
half down now, to bind the bargain,
if you will give me a receipt"
Mr.. Holt rubbed his hands with
pleasure.
"Just step in here with me, into
u private Office" he said, and [
will take your check and give you a
receipt, MI. --?" he paused, inquir-
ingly.
everett" replied the young man,
with great distinctness. Curtis
Everett"
Mr.. Hollis jaw dropped. 81 beg
pardon" he said, closing the door OF
the private office sharply, as soon as
they were we'll inside, "but what
nam did I understand you
Curtis Everett" repeated his Gus
toner. sOf Florida, Mr.. Holt. A
young man, as you kindly remarked,
but one who understands fruit-grow-
ing and fruit-packing. Until to-day,
however, he did not thoroughly un-
derstand fruit-selling, perhaps"
"Hum-ah-yes!" remarked Mr.
Holt. in a tone of choked embarrass-
ment. well, Mr.. Everett" here he
cleared his throat, and faced toward
Curtis for the first time, perhaps my
partner, Mr.. Wynne, and l had better
come round and see you tonight
about this
"Perhaps you had" said Curtis. II
am staying at the house of my friend,
Mr.. Roberts, at No. = Madison ave-
nue."
The commission merchant put as
good a face upon the matter as pos
sible when h. went back with Curtis
to Colonel irving and Mr.. Roberts,
although he smiled rather a sickiy
smile as he bade the three goodbye.
That evening, when the door of
Mr.. Roberts library had closed be-
hind Messrs. Holt 6 Wynne, VINO,
after a very uncomfortable half hour,
had finally left their check for one
thousand five hundred and nineteen
dollars, drawn to the order of Curtis
Everett, Mr.. Roberts beamed genially
upon his pupil in the paths Of trade.
"How is that for your orange crop,
Curt? Seven dollars a box-the price
that they acknowledged should have
been paid the planter-besides Mr..
rI-1x.. - 80 ro1t +aetiroNni01 fn N-OjJr
merits as a fruit-grower, made when
he didn't even know who you werei
Isn't that better than three dollars a
barrel? And now, tomorrow, we'll
go about and meet some of the people
who really buy oranges and pay hon
est prices for them, so that next year
you won't have the trouble of coming
to New York again, since you dislike
it so much"
81 think I could stand coming
every week on these terms!" cried
Curtis, laughing. "Only I'm glad l
shall never have to consign any more
oranges to Holt G Wynne. I felt. al
most sorry for Mr.. Wynne, though,
when he vowed he knew nothing
about it, and begged US not to let
this story be known"
"You were quite right, though, my
boy, when you refused to promise
silence" said the elder man. at will
do no harm for every grower in your
neighborhood to hear about the mat
ter, and to consign his crops to a more
honest firm. For my part, l expect
TO tell the story whenever I feel like