The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-19

all bodies Of men. There are cigars
that delight the senses and ma Ike the
smoker look upon tho givcr with
grateful eyes. but they cost money and
they burn as fast almost as the chcar
ones. There arc champa gnes that
mellow the mind and have bouquet
of their own
With as much care as il he was TO
have for guests the most discriminat-
ing and critical OF people Norton Sc
lected his stock or goods, and then
when the delegates assembled, he went
among them He was one OF many
who were seeking to entertain them
and win a little OF their attention. Oc-
casionnliy he got one TO ACCEPT his hos
pitaiity. That one was likely to re-
memhcr 1t enough 10 mention 1t to an
other. AS the convention drag ged
along he had a decided Increase In tho
number Of his callers. The visitors
we're not slow TO realize that the stuff
put aeforc them was unuSually good
Bur all this did not bring business.
IF Norton directed the attention Of one
OF his callers to the injector. or &c tile
cailer felt I'm duty bound to inspect the
display. it did not result in anything
further than promise to consider the
machine when any We're required The
fine cigars. the choice champagne. the
delicious snacks on tho sdeboard were
itti more aNtIdCtlNe 10 the than
any old injector that ever was made
They could see injectorS any day int
the week. They had been handling
them. it seemed all their lives, but they
never had been UP against such good
free eating ana drinking and smoking
before, and they were much too prac-
teal to waste any more valuable time
on common machinery than politencss
20 the host necessitated.
g a IeIi cb -.
those WHO are appreciatiye The men
who accented Norton's invitation Ger
talnly were apprecia tive, If the way
they waded into his supplies was any
criterion. But when expensive enter
tanning is provided TO attract business,
and there is no business Forthcoming,
it IS likely TO become a triflc irksomc
TO the man who is paying tho bill.
Norton saw his money going and The
convention drawing to a close and
perhaps he felt bit sorry for himself.
Then suddenly. a situation developed
that put him on his mettlc One OF tic
delegates. who had enjoyed his cigars
ana his liquors to the fullest came to
iiin1 10 warn him Of what lot OF the
! him.
some one said YOU were putting w
the best stun of any OF the supply men
here, he said. and told what he
thousht you had spent for cigars. for
champagne and for whiskey. Others
chimed In and said they never had
anything to equal II. Then some one
proposed that lust as soon as the con
vention adjourned the whole ganr
would swoop down on you and eat anr,
| drink and smoke you out Of house and
home. You know how the bows arc
Ihcy think ii Is a big Joke. When
iheS Vc cleaned up everything you've
got they'll guy the life out OF vou I'm
sorry for you, old man, but they're
passihs the word, and l guess you're
Norton realized in an instant VIVA,
! al this portended If that wild bunch
or railroaderS succeeded in ,,,o,.i,,t.
MIN ridiculous ne would be rcrnembc e,1
Tor nj time by them as the man they
made The butt of their joke. 10 solicit
business from them thereafter would ~
20 revive the memory of how thew had
n'eue sport OF hin He did not have
Eucn capllai' put ne determined to
FISK It all II necessary then and thore
thanking the man who had brought
the news TO him. he hurriedlv made
preparations for the conspirators no
Went 10 the hotel people and ordered so
/ many baskets of champagne thar he
astonished the manager. Then 10
purchased all he fine cigars that were
| III Tie nclChnOrhnod
cncf got orders TO lie ready IN mnnt
any demand made for foodstuff. Enough
whiskcy and other liquors was bought
70 meet the most extreme needs.
| The baskets of champagne wore
stacked UP until the walls of the room
were hidden from view All tho wine
coolers obtainablc were brought into
reanisitlon. and then tubs with cracked
ice were filed with moro bottles. Tho
hoNes OF expensive cigars were onencd
50 that there should be no delay In the
! serving OF them. When everything
was ready, Norton felt satisfied.
! Listening to dry speeches or chacr-
! Ing good ones Is thirsty work at any
/, time. II is particularly so when your
/, humor is boisterous. Those master
mechanics had their minds set on sky
larking. Those OF them who had not
| been to Norton's room to try his stun
had their thirsts sharpened by tho
stories they had heard from the others
q lot Of them were afraid il they aid