Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-08-17


might show you the line we carry,
simply to oblige you. personally, Mr.
Strathmore, had | found you at leis-
ure. you really must excuse me this
morning for | am entirely too busy to
show goods to those who do not care
to purchase up-to-date articles"
Strathmore wheeled and confronted
his visitor. Honest treatment, fair
dealing. up-to-date articles" he repeat
ed, suavity forgotten In the brazen ef-
| frontery displayed by cambridge.
What do you intend by these insults,
sir?"
Just the truth, nothing more" came
the undaunted response. uttered .still
more blandly Our representative
has lied upon you twenty-three times
IN the past three months, and each
time you have invited a second call,
promising attention to our goods, and
that attention has never been given
do you call that homes. dealing and
fair treatment? An honorable man
would tell the truth and say he didn't
want and wouldn't have them. Don't
you agree with me?
AS to up-to-date articles" hurrying
on, giving no time for interruption,
have you seen our oxegoneter? Have
you examined into the merits of the
latest hydromatic? I'll bet dollars to
Lincoln pennies that you never saw
their equal"
He was on his knees before half his
sentence was ended, throwing out
samples with a practised hand. Strath-
more made no effort to restrain him,
his moorings we're swept away and for
the moment he was adrift on the I'M
usual.
Then a something composed OF
spirals, tubes and strangely fashioned
bits of metal caught his eye, in a
beautifully embossed box which Balm
bridge had artfully flung open.
What is that" he demsaded. his
anger merged in curiosity.
That" replied cambridge. with a
plying smile, rs thermalecter;
told you that your firm was way be-
hind the times"
Strathmores eyes flashed 81
haven't found 1t necessary as yet to
hire a two-dollar agent TO bring me
present day business civility," he re-
torted, "and with new inventions piling
up at the rate Of several thousand a
month, one may be excused II worth.
less contraption is occasionally over
looked"
Perfectly true" cambridge was all
suavity. But this. you see, is one of
the modern necessities; by this man
Is enabled to read the secret thoughts
Of his business adversary and by
certain arrangement of its working
parts can render him as child in the
hands of an irate mother and bring
him where he will produce his last
dollar They are in very common use
and our firm has the sole agency, sell
ing over ten millions of them in the
past six weeks"
A liglt which was all ripples and
bubbles broke over Strathmores face.
You'll do" he chuckled. Come, I'll
give you just ten minutes to show
your stock and clear out. The truth
is. | am busy this morning and
shouldn't spare a moment"
cambridge nodded and got down to
business. When he departed he had a
very small order, but felt that he had
pierced the breastplate that shielded
his antagonist.
At the nearest booth he called Miss
Strathmore over the wire. Yes, !
know you object to lunching with me,
but this Is important, must see you.
All right: much Obliged; the Common.
wealth at one sharp"
Then he hung up the receiver, well
satisfied with the world In general
and his particular portion of it for the
details of his happiness. Yet he knew
that asking for the hand OF the dear.
est girl in America on that evening
was out of the question. He dared
not lose the advantage gained by
premature avowal, and must be con
tent to wait until events shaped them-
selves to his good fortune.
Business was too absorbing 10 give
further thought to personal matters.
route for his luncheon engagement.
Rounding the corner of the hotel he
collided with man Fastening in the
opposite direction. and he regained
his balance to notice that IL was
Strathmore. who apologized with II
good-natured grunt, Then he grasped
his arm. exclaiming;
Come on. take lunch with me and
another Harvard man: see you wear
the crimson. What year are your"
cambridge gave the required date
he was cor fused and college talk gave
him lime to think while he said
you'll have to excuse me this
noon. Mr. Strathmore: I've another en-.
gagement."
Strathmore gazed into his face. n
quizzical expression dawning on his
own. oh. | see; all right: I'll excuse
you. Better slip that thermalecter
you showed me this morning into your
pocket"
1t was wen for cambridge that he
turned away, for not yard behind
him was Miss Strathmore, Fastening
toward them. a blissful hour followed
and cambridge returned to his Office.
elated with the thought that Alice
had counseled against delay and that
the evening would he hopefully be.
lieyed. open the gates to Cupid's
heaven.
Where have you been all day."
- hrvv, nj