The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-05-08


''Oh. very we'll" said Tommy
You see it. don't you?" asked Dun
kin.
"Oh. don't know"
Perhaps you see yourself president
Of the BrookIane Wooden company"
said Schmidt. with grin.
by thunder. sir. do see it, and
Tommy banged the table so emphat-
ically that the empty glasses danced.
By way of answer both Dunkin and
Schmidt walked to the cashiers desk.
settled their accounts and went out.
leaving Tommy at the table with his
head thrust forward in a most pro-
found study.
How many drinks did Tommy
have?" asked DuHkiu of Schmidt as
they crossed the street to their Office.
Its not question of drink" re-
piled Schmidt, but one of those cases
where man succeeds up to a certain
point and then goes plumb to pieces"
AT any rate" observed Dunkin. its
only a matter of time with Biffby
Sooner or later we must find some one
who can fill his position, and wish
you would quietly look your depart
ment over for man that we can put
in training for the place"
Two weeks went by, and not once
did Tommy cross the street with Dun
kin and Schmidt for luncheon TOO
busy" said he when they invited him.
"Cut out the bright young man idea
of mine." said Dunkin to Schmidt a
few days later 1T was foolish. and.
what's more. Biffby is positive won
der. There were seven of our largest
buyers in the Office this morning
seven. mind you, including Bane Of
Chicago and Doskin of Boston-and
they were all waiting for Biffby to
come in, when who should show up
but Brooklane himself Well. he did
the honors handsomely and had them
all in his private Office, where they
were telling him how much they
thought of Biffby. and, say. when Biff
by came in. hanged if they didn't all
try to shake hands with him at once.
That's right. and before they left
every man jack of the crowd gave him
smashing big fall order"
About 8 O'Clock that same afternoon
Dunkin saw Biffby stop at the door Of
President Brooklanes private office,
and, strange to relate for once in his
life Tommy hesitated several times
before entering.
Fifteen minutes later everybody in
the outer office was startled to hear
their sedate president burst into roars
of hearty laughter Zeal after peal Of
conclusive merriment came rolling
over the transom. and few minutes
later Tommy came tumbling through
the doorway.
when sthe president opened the door
and beckoned to his general manager.
Once inside Dunkin had to wait fully
three minutes before the president
could stop laughing.
"Dunkin." said he at last. the fun
NEST incident of my life has just oc-
Cured Our little friend Bfffby came
in here a few minutes ago and said.
Mr.. Brooklane. | have a business
proposition to offer you
What is it. Thomasg l asked.
why. said he without finch.
'Dunkin. Schmidt and myself wish to
buy you ont
We'll. said /, thinking to &c easy
with him. are you ready to take over
all of my stock?'
Yes. sir, said he.
"'Can you produce the cash?'
asked. just to keep up the game.
mo. sir: we haven't got a cent. :
was his answer
Then how do you expect to buy
me out?' | asked
Why, sir, you are to lend us the
money said he Think of it. Dunkin
II am to lend you fellows the money
with which to buy out my own bust
nessr' And for the second time the
outer Office was startled with a whirl-
wind Of merriment.
The next morning Mr. BrookIane left
for a three weeks southern trip, and
THAT d1l0fuOOH. III TIE surprise VI az
the clerks. Miss Edith Brooklane. the
presidents only daughter. called and
sent her card in to Mr.. Biffby They
were cIoseted in the latters Office for
some time. and when they came out
Mr.. Biffby accompanied Miss Brook
lane 10 her carriage
Before the week was over Miss
Brooklane had called on Mr. Biffby
three times. and each succeeding call
had marked the earnest subject of
their conversation.
By the end of the next week one of
the clerks in the foreign department
reported having seen Biffby leave the
Brooklane home the evening before
as late as 1890. and. wonder of Won
ders during the third week of Mr.
Brooklane's absence Mrs. Brooklane
called and held long conversation
with Mr.. Biffby II was the first she
had visited the office in FIVE years
President Brooklane returned on tho
Monday following, and late in the aft
ernoon Dunkin received a message 10