The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-07-20
Friends.

A business man in Devils Lake
Journal: He comes into my office ev-
cry day at 4 o'clock. 1 know he is
there when l see the door open ever
so little. l wait. First a bit of a cap
then a nose, then his head slowly APP
pears. In a moment he is in the room
l bid him good afternoon and our visit
begins.
OF course we exchange smiles be-
fore We talk. He has the brightest,
friendliest smile l have ever seen In
all this tumble of things they call the
world. At first his eyes twinkle, blue
eyes that might have come from Erin,
but really were in Denmark a genera
ton back. Then funny little Fuckers
and wrinkles begin to come at the ocr-
ners of his eyes. His mouth begins to
tremble. 1t is coming. I wait for 1t
as l have waited for only one other
smile in the world. His eyes twinkle
with a final gleam of fun. His cheeks
dimple. He smiles-smiles as the Lord
doesn't let many Of US smile, smiles
like a merry, feeting CLEAN Of sun
shine. AS l said before, our visit now
begins.
We talk Of many things, he hunched
forward in a big swivel chair, 1 lean
ing back from my desk as BELTS the
Importance Of the discussion. We are
equals, Of course, in all this exchange
of opinions. We mutually Concede this.
Our judgments are not made careless
ly but are founded upon facts and
much reflection. This lends weight to
tbs opinions Of each. We speak Of
many things, Of baseball, business and
the like. But mostly we exchange our
business experiences. This is natural
since VIC are both men Of affairs and
interested in our work. My friend is
doing we'll. He sees a sure and con-
siderable profit in his operations. He
shakes his head at my reference to
the bad effect of the tariff On us all.
He doesn't think it will hurt his line
much. No, he is an optimist who
steadily refuses to be alarmed by
clouds threatening in the financial
skies. No viewing with alarm" for
him; no when a man can get the coin
if he only huStles and uses his head
and holds his customers. Not for him.
Not much.
Up to this time we have said moth
ing regarding the pecuniary nature Of
his call. We take up baseball. We
fail to agree on the merits Of Cobb
and Joe Jackson. The discussion wax
es warm. We express grave doubts as
to the judgment and sporting acumen
OF each other. We go as close to ac-
tual contempt as friendship will per-
nit. However, our mutual charity
now comes to our rescue. AS men Of
large opinions and broadmindedness,
we excuse each other mentally and lay
the subject on the table. We let it go
at that.
Our visit is now drawing to a close.
Blue eyes that have been Wrapt in
thought through our discussion, click
back to business. Our negotiations are
short and successful. He leaves my
paper on my desk and carefully counts
out my change. He tuCks his wares
under his arm. The thought of his
unserved customers suddenly fills him
n he swings away to the door. At
the door he turns. He always does.
He knows l am waiting for him to
turn. st long" he says. Then, see
Ing me still waiting, he smiles, smiles
as when he came, with the twinkle,
the quicker, the dimple, and the bright,
sunshiny joy Of it all.
A swing Of the door and he is gone
ton years Of boy and ten minutes of
JOY. 1t has been like this ever since
the first day. He tells me that I ana
the only one he stops to talk with on
his rounds. He is a very busy man,
you see, but l am no more conceited
about 1t than you would be. At that,
we don't know each others names.
We don't need to. We're friends.