The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1911-08-16

'OASC0OAA . AOoO0A tAOs 1870
lars cash down, the balance payable,
within twenty.four hours. How much
am l bid?"
"Three thousand dollars" promptly
announced some one.
81 am bid three thousand dollars.
Who'll make it four? Three thousand
three. Make it four. Am offered
four?"
He trailed off into a description of
the goods until bystander raised
the bid thirty-five. Sneffens listened
as the bids. gradually increased un-
til sixty-nine hundred dollars was
offered, from which point it seemed
Impossible for the auctioneer to ad-
vance-evidently there was collision
between the bidders to hold the bids
down and divide the stock.
Then, just when it appeared as if
the last cent had been offered, Sneff.
ems, in a subdued tone, said: Il make
lit eight. thousand dollars and be-
fore the others had grasped the sit
uation, the auctioneer announced:
Third and last call, and sold to
"sneffens," declared that individ-
ual uneXcitedly.
Sneffens stepped forward and
rendered five one-hundred dollar bills,
obtaining a conditional bill of sale.
The other bidders withdrew in dis
gust, the few spectators trailing after
them.
Who's that geezer, anyway p
asked one of them, but no one seemed
able to tell him.
Sneffens hurried to the nearest pub
lie telephone. Entering booth he
called for the toll line connection.
Give me Main 649, Harcourt, and
ask for Joseph Sterns," he demanded.
In few minutes the operator an
nounced: Here's Mr.. Sterns."
Sneffens said:
Hello, Joe! Is that you? Well,
this is Sneffens. Pm in Millersburg.
Come down by next train and I'll
make killing. Come running and
help me let go of the bear, will you?"
! When Stems had been fully in.
formed. he promised to come.
That's the stuff, old mani" CHR.
ruped Sneffens. You are the only
man in the world can depend upon.
I'll meet. you at the train"
Among, all OF his wide and varied
acquaintance, Stems was the only per.
son from whom Sneffens could ex.
pect to obtain such a favor, and his
spirits rose as the successful outcome
of his venture in high finance dawned
upon him. Going to the best hotel, he
registered, impressing upon the OBJ
sequious clerk the Importance of as.
signing him the best room in the
house; smiling to himself as he jingled
the two lonely coins that but two
hours before had represented his total
supply OF cash-wondering at his own
assurance.
| When Stems arrived, Sneffens had
no difficulty in arranging to borrow
the remainder of the purchase money
and then he set about devising a plan
to dispose of the stock he had pur.
|chased.
sand dollars worth of drugs" he cog.
Five days to sell twenty thou.
litated. How am going to do it?''s
A novel idea took possession OF
his mind, and he smoked cigar after
cigar as he developed it into practi'
cal plan.
Then came the employment OF
printers, painters, carpenters and a
dozen clerks, all of whom were gal
vanized into unwonted activity by the
energetic Sneffens.
The next morning the inhabitants
of Millersburg were astounded to
find the town pracOrded with bills an
nouncing that AN unparalleled sale
of drugs, chemicals, toilet articles
and other goods was to take place at
the old Dutton company drug store.
EVERYTHING GOES FOR CENTS
N o more! No less!
You must make your own change.
Bring nothing but nickels.
insight and unseen!
Open-faced and unwrapped!
You don't know what you'll get.
But it will be worth the price!
By seven o'clock crowd had
tgathered and was astonished at what
lit saw. Across the fifty feet front
of the salesroom was stretched a
framework covered with black cloth.