Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-29

SSNWqS Both travelling tor JObblng houses.
8)NA3 both sold the same goods in the same
GS0S>S1 towns in the Onawock Valley and for
nearly three years they had rubbed against
each other Drake youngser at the business with
scarcely than five years knowledge OF the road
Elliott was older experienced salesman and
one known to be high in the confidence and esteem OF
his house.
Everything had gone well between them until the
last few weeks and then something went wrong with
Elliott Drake rather unwilling to believe it, realized
at last that Elliott never overlooked chance to throw
the harpoon into him. 1t all done very suavely
and in no exactly overt way but Drake conscious
of it whenever they fell together.
Finally it got his No matter where Drake
went no matter how he varied his itinerary, Elliott
always either his heels-or more probably he was
on Elliotts heels. They bumped every minute. Could
he have done with any reasonable explanation Drake
would have asked his sales manager to SHIFT him to
other territory-anything to get away from Elliott But
such request obviously could not be based upon his
personal dislike of competition. So he bore 1t without
grin, and prayed for an opportunity to can Elliott
and for all.
Elliott sold goods there question whatever
about that. There were tmes-and they were becoming
and more frequent Drake did not sell them
And certain pocket of his brain Drake laid this to
Elliott. What Drake particularly disiked about him
was the older mans new air of tolerant superiority
whenever they met. Elliott disposed to be quite
friendly-in his lofty manner.
So the relationship of the two men subsidized on the
part Of Drake abrupt nod of greeting and when
it was forced him to the utterance of half dozen
words rarely more. AS for Elliott. he always smiled
afably forced the utterance upon him, and went his
high and mighty way.
Drake travelled for the Winship Company of Steven
ton of the best known firms in the State After
twenty of successful business the surviving
bers of the firm the two brothers, John and Abel Win
Ship disposed of their interests and retired Theeupon
a stock company formed, and shortly after this
Drake entered the sales department and was sent upon
the road This about three years ago.
The first year Drake @burnt up the Onawock terri
tory. The Winship name valuable asset and he
worked it for all it worth The new management,
recognizing his ability gave him every aid and
ageen Six months after he entered the house he was
doll he tlnt
enthusiasm he gave hostage to Fortune in the shape of
a wife
1t was Just at this time that his path and Elliotts
crossed and then merged into one.
one day. in the third year of their acquaintance,
- they met in North Hillsborough. where Drake was
having bad quarter hour with Nat Timmins, owner
of the towns largest general store Tmmins was raising
thunder substitution in the order of the week be-
fore The storekeeper had wanted and had specified
article OF certain brand when the CONSIGNMENT arrived
this article bore the Winship brand. By way of
PLANTATION the firm informed Timmins that the brand
he ordered not then in stock; in order that he
might have something just as good in case of a pur
chasers demand" the Wnship grade had been shipped
"This is the second time Drake. your firm has put
over this kind of game" Timmins saying The
storekeeper went into emphatic particulars Il want
what order. understand" he continued. II don't
say it's up to you; but it's up to your house don't
know what they trying to do but it's mighty funny
| can't get what order.
Drake remembered his efforts to explain the bunder.
Its repetition fused him. "I'm quite sure he said,
shat if we hadn't had the goods at the time of your
order my house would have notified me. There's no
doubt the last lot on hand sent out between the
time wrote this order and the time of its receipt in
shipping department. That happens sometimes,
you know. But if you'll send the goods back I'll
that your order is filled correctly"
"Ive already shipped Them" was the terse reply.
As Drake went out of the storekeepers office he al
most ran into Elliott. The older man, who had been
selling the Valley for twenty for Sanford Lord &
Co of Centervie. talking with clerk just outside
Tmmins door and he looked up Drake passed He
might not have overheard the conversation; but there