The Bottineau courant., 1912-06-14
A Couple Of
Live Wires
By ANDREW J. WHITNEY

Abraham Patterson was q real estate
and insurance man. and Johnny
Thracker was his chief clerk, book.
keeper and man of all work, besides
taking care Of the Office, even to sweep
ing out. Soon after Johnny went with
the real estate man the latter's daugh.
ter, aged seventeen. came into the Office
one morning to get some pin money
and found Johnny there alone.
This visit was the beginning Of q
love affair between her and Johnny
Having found visit to the Office and
upon him pleasant, Della came quite
often after that. always choosing q
time when her father was out drum.
ming up or attending to business. Mr..
Patterson was consequently ignorant
Of the growing attachment. Indeed he
was unmindful Of the fact that his
daughter had outgrown her doll. As
for Johnny, Patterson grudged him the
$40 week salary he paid him.
One day Mr.. Patterson, just as he
had started in for the sale Of piece OF
real estate upon which the commission
would amount to 81 900, fell i'll and was
confined to his bed. Down to the Office
came Della with note from him tc
Johnny stating that he must give ur
trying to bring about the trade and SO
inform the seller and buyer to whom
he had hoped to sell the property.
Johnny read the note and pondered.
"What you thinking about?" asked
the inquisitive Della.
II was wondering If could do the
job"
"Of course you can."
At that moment Mr.. Wardell. the
owner Of the property in question
came in and asked If Mr.. Paterson was
yet down. Johnny replied that he was
a trife indisposed and wouldn't arrive
till afternoon, but he Johnny would
do anything required in the meantime.
''Tell him I've decided to take $4,000
for the property"
Mr. Wardell went out, and Johnny
and Della consulted. The consultation
ended in Della keeping Office while
Johnny went out to find Mr.. Deacon,
the expected purchaser. Deacon had
offered $4,000, but the price was then
$42,5O0. Johnny asked If he would buy
at the price, and Deacon told him he
thought he would. But before he could
determine positively he must make an.
other visit to the property and look 1t
over.
Johnny returned to Della. and an
other consultation followed. A person
had been in the Office while Johnny
was away from whom she had gather.
ed that certain real estate agents OF
the town were getting busy about the
property and sale was likely to be
made by another go-between who
would gather in the commission. Della
suggested that they report to Mr.. War
dell that Mr.. Deacon had accepted biz
offer and agreed to pay the $4,000.
This would complete the sale so far as
Mr.. Wardell was concerned, and the
bottom Of the transaction could only
drop out through Mr.. Deacon.
Unfortunately for these young bro.
kers Mr.. Deacon on his way to inspect
the property slipped off the curb and
sprained his ankle. His wife tele.
phoned to the Office information of the
fact, saying that there was little doubt
that he would buy the property, but
one more visit to the premises was nee.
essary and her husband could not 60
out ON his sprained ankle for several
days.
"Its all up!" moaned Johnny. "Ive
heard on the street this morning that
an agent was hunting for Mr.. Wardell
to offer him '$45,O0O for the property
but can't find him."
In comes the postman with letter
from Mr.. Wardell dated in neighbor-
ing town, asking for the contract OF
sale to be sent him with the customary
deposit. This indicated that he con-
sidered his property sold. II the young
brokers could stave him off till they
could get definite answer from Dea-
con the sale would be effected.
IT tell you what" said Della. "Send
him a contract and purposely make an
error in it. He'll have to send 1t back
and by that time we may get Mr.. Dea-
con up to the point"
"Goodw exclaimed Johnny, and. TAX
ing a blank contract, he filed 1t out
on the typewriter, writing 100000 in
stead of $4,000. Then he put it in a
post box.
For the next two days the reports of
offers for and sales of the property
were in the air. The contract came
back for correction, and the young
sters were at their wits ends. Johnny
went to the telephone and told Mr..
Deacon that he'd have to eyes" then
or never. Deacon got carriage, made
his inspection, stopped at the Office on
his return and signed contract Of
purchase with check for forfeiture.
AS Johnny was going out of the Of
fee with him broker came in and
said: "I've got contract Of purchase
signed for the Wardell property for
$46.OOO can't find the owner. II
you'll tell me where he is I'll divide
commissions.
"Don't know anvthinp ah0ut If " said