Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-01-26
see old Sam. is he npetairs q

asked.
yes, sir"
"Well, I'll be hangedw
let us hope not" said Duncan
pleasantly. He waited moment, Il
little rritated. "Sure there's nothing
can do for your"
MOO" said Spcrry slowly, strug-
Cling to comprehend "Thank you just
the same"
Not ut all" Duncan turned away.
you see" Spcrry pursued, 81 don't
buy from drug stores; sell to 'em."
Duncan faced about with new inter.
est in the man. "Yes?" he said en-
couragingly.
MY card volunteered Sperry. fish
Ing the slip of pasteboard from his
waistcoat pocket He dropped his
sample case beside The stove and
pumped down in the chair. to the peril
of its existence. Il don't make this
town very often" he pursued while
Duncan studied his card "Sothcrn &
Lee are the only people | sell to here.
but ] never miss chance to chin
awhile with old sam SO. having half
an hour before train time. | thought
I'd drop in"
mir. Graham doesn't order from.
your house, them"
Doesn't order from anybody. does
he?
Il don't know. I've lust come here.
He'll be sorry to have missed you.
though. He's just stepped out to wire
your house, gather from the fact that
it's in Elmlra; he mentioned that town,
not the firm name--for some sirups.'
You don't mean it, Sperry gasped.
whats struck him all of sudden?
He amt put in any new stock for ten
years, reckon
well. you see" Duncan explained
artfully, I've persuaded him in q way
TO try to make something out of the
business here. We're going to do
what we can, of course. in a small way
at first"
Sperry waggcd a dubious head. 81
dunno" he considered SANS nice
Old duffer. but he amt got no business
yourself how he's let everything run to
seed here. Sothern 81 Lee took all his
trade years ago"
Yes, | know. That's why he needs
me- said duncan brazpnly In his
soul he remarked, "Oh, Lord in
tone of awe. His colossal impotence
dazed even himself. But don't you
think he could get back some of the
trade if the store vas stocked up?"
no doubt about that at ALL" Sperry
averred; he'd get the biggest part OF
it,"
You think so?"
Sure Of it. You see. everybody
round here likes sam. and Sothern *
Lee have always been outsiders. They
would swing to this shop in minute
Just on account Of that. Fact Is. l
wasted lot Of talk on our firm
couple Of years ago trying to make our
people give him some credit. but they
couldn't see 1t. lie owed them bill
then that was so old it had grown
whiskers."
And still owes it, presumed"
You bet he still owes it. Always
will It's so small that 1t amt worth
while suing for
Look here, Mr.. Sperry. how much is
this bill with the whiskcrs:"
Abort $50 think" said the travel
ing man, fumblinG for his wallet. I'm
supposed to ask fer payment every
time | strike town you know, so
always have 1t with me, but | haven't
had the heart 20 say word to sam
for good long time. Here it is"
Duncan studied carefully the memo
r9udum: "'ro Mdse, as per bill rem
dered, s47S5." Il WONDER he muir
INJURED.
En-" said Spcrry
u was wondering suppose YOU We're
to tell your people that there's a young
fellow here who'd like To give this
store Il boom say he wants little
credit becauSc-bPcause Mr.. Graham
won't let him put in any cash
Not bit Of use" Sperry negatived.
II would myself bat the house no."
Put suppose | pay this bill'-
PAY it: You really mean that?"
"Certainly | mean it." Duncan pro
duccd the wdd Of bills which Kellogg
had furnished him the night before
his departure from New York. Thus
far he had broken only one of the $500
gold certificates, and Of that one he
had the greater part left Living is
anything but expensive in Radyille