The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1914-07-18
Isby' sBusiness Adventure
CA story by Cecil C. Brown }
CHAPTER II.

The success of a single day had a
serious effect on Isby. All of the
arrogance contained in his being was
thoroughly developed just in that
length of time. Week after week
passed, but he would not depart from
his original program of purchasing
stock lie was confirmed In his belief
that the people would have to put up
with what he had. On ''all fools day"
lsby purchased his Easter stock,
which consisted principally Of storage
eggs-old storage eggs-and cheap
candy. He put up new sign which
read, ester Stock Jus arrived. A full
supply of Frush Countri Aigs An A
choyse selekshun of Fansie Kaandys.
Cum in an Civ 'em trial" He knew
that the words "frush" (fresh) and
''countri'' Country as applied to eggs
would certainly attract the attention
of any prospective egg customer. The
Superintendent of largest Sunday
School in the Community was attract
ed by his false advertisement. SIZE
decided that, after all some good
| C1uIu COult OuJ Ol NdZdI0Lu. f16T
feeling of race pride was swollen to
overflowing proportions, hence she
could not refrain from giving encour-
agement to the new grocer who was
struggling to rise in the commercial
world. With kindness reflected in her
countenance, she entered and engaged
in short parley with the storekeep-
er: 81 believe should like something
for Easter. My little tots are looking
forward to that day with a keen de-
light ard might say with little an
xiety." We'll, Ma'am, what do you
want? Some aigs an candy?" eyes,
l want about two gross of eggs and
enough candy to fill all the little bas-
kets and all the little receptacles
here" showing him what she meant
Isby scratched his head (for it need
ed very severe scratching) and as
sumed an air of bewilderment at the
thoughts of having to discommode his
other customers, when in reality he
was one of the happiest men on earth
and would have sold her ten gross had
it been possible. well ah guess ahl
hav to letchu hav 'em, and ah1 max
yo rail good price; you can hav 'em
TO thirty cent er Dozen" Nov, Mr..
Isby, do you mean to charge me thirty
cents for eggs when 1 can get them
for twenty-seven cents? Then, too,
look at the quantity am buying from
you" "Yes'm, but them aigs Is fresh
an ah'm putin ma other customuz
to inconvenyans by lettin' 20 have
that many. That's rally the bes' ah
kin do" The good superintendent
knew she was being robbed, but she
made allowances for his circumstances
and purchased the eggs and candy,
bearing a part of the expense out of
her personal" money. The sale OF
this stock marked the grst milestone
of Isby's failure. The next day after
Easter several physicians were kept
busy answering calls and prescribing
psnaceas for sick children and adults
especially those who attended the Sun
day School where eggs purchased from
Ishy we're distributed. Gradually he
began tc lose his customers; he fell
behind in his accounts; every time he
opened his door creditor was there
All these things weighed heavily upon
his mind. He brooded over his real
and imaginery grievances; he sought
the companionship and advice of every
; other person in the city who was shar
ing a fate similar to his. This was
quite a contract to the selfishness and
Indifference which he exhibited several
months before. A defunct lawyer, q
. illusionized promoter OF a Commercial
) Club, a discarded postal clerk, an in
| competent caterer and a discredltec
manager of a stock company were al
, his ocnfidantes. Like all other dis
gmntled persons. he blamed the peo
!. pie fer his reyerses and swore thai
, every successful business Negro Il
the community was working against
; him. With the approval of his friends
! he put his own estimate on all this
prominent people. Isby let his tongue
. rage; The real estate man was {
robber; the shoe man, who was alsS
: a successful school master and who'd
. esveryhody admired. handled nothinl
I but ''cheap stuff" and didn't know hog
8 Ito teach; the probation officer ai'