Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-14
FERBER'S TRANSFORMATION
By D. w. Fratciner of Detroit
Winner of SIS Prize

TT in the early sos that first met Jack Ferber.
Hewas scrupulousy careful of his personal appear
that day ride country roads through
the dust of the OF winter left him at
country or backwoods lumber camp immaculate
as he appeared at his city club heater His cheeks
were dimpled and bushing pretty girls, and he
his hair scky parted in the middle. This femi-
appearance however, beied the facts; for during
his college days Jack center guard the football
team and had laurels in other lines of athletics
Ferber had been out of college for year, and
travelling for New York dygoods house, of which his
father was the head. He eventually to become a
member of the firm and had taken up this branch of
the business the best OF learning
One cold November day were headed for Bonner's
general store in the little backwoods town of Greig.
Il feel that | simply wasting time making this
trip said Jack drew the place. a have
moved heaven and earth to land this Bonner, have
gone far to offer him some lines at actual
loss and yet have succeeded in getting order
for a single dollars worth. He won't look at the
goods"
There that could not be reached in
way" said. "The thing is to get at him from the
right angle Go after him strong today, and if you
don't land I'll make it point to try and find out the
reason
Putting up the team at the hotel across the way from
Bonner's, entered the together. Bonner
forward to meet US, giving hearty handshake but
ignoring Jack entirely Unabashed by this reception,
however, Jack took off his cap gloves and coat brushed
both sides, and then, humming popular air, placed
of his sample the counter and proceeded
unfasten the catches.
Don't want nothn in your line today, Ferber, said
Bonner CURLY, walking to the other side of the
I'D like to show you a new line of blankets, said
Ferber, opening the
Don't need any blankets any other dinged thing"
replied Bonner
at won't cost you anything to see them, said Jack
testify beginning to lose patience.
you're wasting your time, snapped Ponner. "You
can't sell me anything, and anyway | wouldn't take
this stuff gift.
"All right said Jack and without another word he
snapped the shut and
whats the matter with you and Ferber?7 asked
Bonner after had booked his order. "Anvthng wrong
with the firm?7
"W-a- he drawled, al reckon the house is all right;
but it's dinged hard up for III be gosdarned if
I'm going to do business with sissy that parts it's hair
IN the middle when can do it with a real man! Why
IN afraid to shake hands with it-might break
rib or something! | haven't got any use for hot
house plants or French chinal'
Arguments proved to be of no avail; but believing
that personal contact in social way might do some
good prevailed upon Bonner to accompany me to
dinner at the hotel
When entered the house Ferber sat beside the
stove, busily engaged in figuring. From the adjoining
barroom the noise of a score of woodsmen who
had come out for the election and beginning to
"hl up preliminary to week of fighting and
carousng We had barely seated ourselves the op-
poste side of the stove when another gang of woosnen
trooped in, headed by a French Canadian named