Evening star., 1914-01-25

Great Central Steel Company with my firms me-
tallic packing. | never got any farther than the
office OF ohn Swope the general manager, and | never
stayed there very long at time; for while Swope was
enough to he made plain in a very few
words that he only did wish to buy my packing,
but also that he had time to listen to rly arguments.
lay in wait for him. him as he went to lunch,
the street, at a ball game, hoping that might
be able by some hook crook, to establish than
speaking acquaintance; but after losing lot of time
began doubt If Swope lunch, if he
in the street, if he attended ball game | in
qured among men who knew Swope more or less in
tirnaely. No. not one OF them knew of anything in
which he interested specially, except his business.
One day dropped in at his office him, hoping
that might persuade him to permit me to furnish the
packing for of the engines about to be installed
in the mills the Central was then building.
No. he intended to buy Atlantic packing. He knew
Atlantic packing, and he knew that it was good.
As turned to leave caught sight Of small, oblong
piece OF paper living on his desk. 1t had rounded
ners, gummed side and was about one
third the size of postage stamp. recognized it at
glance. 1t stamp hinge stlcker used by col
lectors for mounting stamps in albums.
made straight for a dealer in philaelic supplies.
"Who are some of the stamp collectors in this city?'
| asked HIM
He laughed who are some OF the people who smoke
cigars and wear black necktieso Too many to name'
Il mean who of the more prominent ones?"
We'll there's Ianison OF the woolen mills, Smhson
OF the City Refining Company, Station OF the Valley
Railroad, John Swopc Of
Give me all the literature you have philately!
interrupted And | purchased a copy of every text
book catalogue and pamphlet he had
studied my subject early and late; quizzed my
at home; when could talked with collectors l sub
scried to halt dozen stamp journals; invested little
money in line OF good stamps; found every stamp
| had noted on my list, and bought them | was
equipped go after John Swope for that packing order!
With my precious stamps in my pocket, went back
to l. and day about thirty minutes before the
hour for lunch walked into Swope's office Grim and
gruf as always, he looked up and nodded
Packing" he grunted Nothing doing. You re
wasting your time. But do like your persistence.
Il Just called to leave with you this booklet which
thought might interest YOU | said putting my hand
into my pocket as | spoke. drew forth bundle OF
papers. dozen postage stamps fell from among them
and luttered to the table before the steel mans eyes.
Excuse me-" | remarked, stopping and begin
ming to pick up the stamps. THE rubber band has
slipped from the book in which carry these"
Swope was looking at the stamps with interest and
he began turning those which had fallen face down
Here here, wait a minue, he cried. Let me look
these know something about stamps Here's pretty
good Newfoundland here's good Peru; here's
why they're all good! Where did you get thern?"
sat down and talked stamps with him for half
hour I went to luncheon with him, talking stamps;
and came back with him, talking stamps. In good
time introduced the subject OF metallic packing and
went out his office that afternoon carrying
to supply packing for all the engines that to be
installed in the new mills.