The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-12-03
A LESSON IN ETHICS
BY MAUD SMITH coTTRELL.

copyright, lSi4, Dy w. " ShhpHiohl
Il don't say you shant marry my
daughter, Mr. Wills" said Hiram Oak
ley, stroking his white beard thought
fully. Il say that you've sprung this
on me sudden like. and | want time to
think it over" i,
"And ! say. Mr.. Oakley, that Madge
is of age and entitled to choose for
herself" answered the young fellow.
And since she has chosen to accept
me, am asking you only as matter
of FORM
Hiram Oakley looked at the young
fellow quietly. He did not mind Madge
being married; she was fiighty and had
not been too kind to her father since
her mothers death released her from
what she considered unjustifable
chaperonage; but Mr.. Oakley wanted
to know more about Herbert Wills,
who had appeared in the town three
months before and taken position
with him in his department store
He saw no harm in Wills, but the
young man had a good deal to learn.
So had Madge, for that matter.
The mystery was solved few days
later when Madge and Wills contracted
a secret marriage before an alderman.
Hiram Oakley received defiant note
I from the couple announcing that they
meant to go their own way, unless he
chose to make the first advances.
What their own way meant was
shown few days later when Wills
opened a smaller rival store imme-
diately opposite the Oakley premises
on Main street.
Revenge is not a good policy in
commerce, but still Wills store opened
with great flourish Of advertise
ments and bills in the store windows.
Wills made speciality Of displaying
the same kind Of goods as his father
in-law, only of a cheaper grade. Every
thing that was in Mr.. Oakley's win
dows was in his son-in-law's, but cut
by one-third in price. And for time
Wills trade doomed at the expense of
Oakley's.
After a while, however, things began
to swing the other way Oakleys
trade went up and Wills found his
counters deserted. He could not un-
derstand. He did not realize that the
district was not one patronized by
cheap shoppers. and that his shoddy
goods and cheap stock had been tried
and found wanting.
Hiram Oakley, with no bills in his
windows, was doing roaring trade
during the boom times. Wills found
himself reduced to his last five hun
dred. And he was not taking in enough
to pay the cost of his help.
AS the sales dwindled Wills posters
became more flashy. Hiram Oakley
who had had no communication with
the couple since their marriage, knew
that the time was at hand
But, after all, it was Wills who came
to him-came in humbly, but looking
much more of man than he had
looked before when he defied old Oak
ley.
"Mr Oakley" he began frankly, "I've
come to tell you that have been a
fool, sir"
Old Oakley looked him up and down.
There's always hope for man when
he finds that out" he said at length.
Don't think that I've come to ask
your help" said Wills. I'm anxious
about Madge, that's all. Frankly, the
business can't go on another month.
And | don't know what we are going
to do. You see"
And Oakley learned that he was to
become grandfather
There is nothing that touches an
old mans heart so much. Oakley was
genuinely fond of his daughter, and he
thought that the pair had had about as
much Of a lesson as they needed.
80 I'm thinking of selling out and
moving 70 another town, sir" con-
tinued Wills. But before go want
you to forgive Madgc and-and tell me
why couldn't succeed" he blurted
out Il thought knew all the tricks
of the trade, with my New York ex-
periencc.'
$50 you did, my boy" answered Oak
ley briskly. you knew tricks that I'd
heard of but never soiled my fingers
with, nor wouldn't.
I'm the first place, you went into
the business in spirit Of vindictive
ness instead of willingness, to kill an.
other mans trade rather than estab-
lish your own. That can't help show
ing itself in the tone of the selling
force. Your salespeople took their cue
from you, and they lost customers by
their unwillingness and bad manners.
Then, again, you tried to sell the
same goods l did, but cheaper goods
People find out good from bad. The,
don't repeat their purchases at a
store that does them"
Wills swallowed hard, for the lesson
was a bitter one. But the spirit of
vindictiveness had been driven out OF
him
I'm obliged to you. sir" he said.
"And you'll see Madge before we leave
next week"
Wait a minute!' said old Oakley.
Now it's my turn to speak. I've been
planning turning 1t into company and
onaninp branch In fact I've ac.