Evening journal., 1912-06-01
A Couple Of
Live Wires
BY ANDREW J. WHITNEY

Abraham Patterson was a 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 ofice
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
WIS unmindful OF the fact that bis
daughter had outgrown her doll. As
Tor Johnny, Patterson grudged him the
$40 week salary he paid him.
One day MIR. Patterson, just as he
had started in for the sale OF piece Of
real estate upon which the commission
would amount 10 $1,000. fell III and was
confined to his bed. Down to the Office
came Della with a note from him 20
Johnny stating that he must give up
trying to bring about the trade and so
snfoFm the seller and buyer TO whom
he had hoped 30 sell the property.
Johnny read the note and pondered.
what you thinking about" asked
ahe inquisifive Della.
Il was wondering II 4 could do the
Sob"
'sOf course you cam
At that moment Mr.. WarheiI, the
owner OF the property in question,
came in and asked If MIR. Paterson was
get down. Johnny replied that he was
a tribe indlsposed and wouldn't arrive
tin afternoon. but he Qohnny) would
do anything required in the meantime
Tell him I've decided to take 1000
for the property"
Mr.. Warden went, out, and Johnny
land Della consulted The consultation
snded 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
s42.5OO. Johnny aslted n be would buy
at the priun, and Deacon told him he
thought he would. But before he could
Determine positively he must make an
other visit 10 the property and look n
over.
Johnny tgturned 10 Della. and an
ether consultation followed A person
had been IN the odlce while Johnny
was away from whom she had gathse.
ed that certain real estate agents 81
the town were getting busy about thc
nroperty snd a sale was likely to b
made by smother go-between who
would gather In the commission. Deiin
suggested that they report % Mr.. War
den that Mr.. Deacon had accepted his
lofer ana agreed 10 pay the $4,000
This would complete the sale 80 Oar ~
Mr. Wardch was concerned. and thi
b,tt0.r- OF the transaction coued onls
arop out through Mr.. Deacon
Unfortunately for these young bro
kers Mr.. Deacon on his way TO inspect
81 property slipped OF the curb and
eprained his ankle. HIS wife tele'
phoned to the ONCE information Of ths
fact. saying that there was little doub'
that he would buy the property, bu'
enc more visit to the premises was nee
essarv and her husband could not gt
ont on bis sprained ankle for severa
days.
.Tfs an upr. moaned Johnny. 'Tv'
heard ON the street this morning tina
AN agent was hunting for Mr.. Wardel
10 offer HIM $4,000 Tor the properly
hnt can't ind him"
In comes the postman with a lette
from Mr.. Wardell dated in a neighboK
ing town. asking for the contract
sale to be sent him with the eustomar'
deposit. This Indicated that he con
sidered his property sold II the youni
brokers could stave him on TIL the
could get a definite answer nom Dea
con the sale would be Effected
4 tell you what" said Della "Sen'
ham a contract and purposely make a
error IN It. Hen have TO send 1t bac
and by that time we may get Mr.. Des
con up to the point"
"Goodr' exclaimed Johnny, and. tAh
inr a blank contract. he filed it ou
on the typewriter, writing 100000 II
stead of $4,000. Then he put it in
post box
For the next two days the reports o
offers for and sales Of the propert
were IN the air. The contract cam
back for correction. and the youna
sters were at their wits ends. john,
went 10 the telephone and told MI
Deacon that he'd have TO Eyes" the
or never. Deacon got a carriage, mad
his inspection. stopped at the once O
his return and signed a contract o
purchase with check for forfeiture
AS Johnny was going out Of the Of
nee with him a broker came In an
said: I've got a contract OF purchas
signed for the Wardell property 70
$4,000. I can't find the owner.
you'n tel me where he Is IN divid
commissionsr
~Don't know anything about it." sat
John as he Jumped into a cab and wa
driven 70 a hurry to station. He &c
GTardeHps signature and vas back
town az 10 o'clock the next morning.
That de- Patterson came 10 the o.
Gee IN care Of his dRughter. Johnn
told him the story and showed him Ii
contract. The real estate man locke
from aae % she other OF the Two yo1nl
sterS. then hugged both
The firm OF Theracker & 90. no
consists OF Mr. and Mrs. Theracke
They are considered ia the real estai
mepFat 10 be live wires.