The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-07-25

expecting II even SAAANS
tom dropped out of the steel business
and prices tobogganed $40 Ton.
Nevertheless, it came rs shock LOT
he had hoped the firm wc":d keep MN
on In spite of hard times. He Wonderen
IL he had the makings Of good HE
insurance agent or If he had peter
Join OUT with a medicine sho~-this
message led him TO think his talents
lay along the latter line.
He had plenty of time to think II
over, however, for it is long jump
from Butte to Chicago-but when he
arrived he was certain OF only one
thing. he would not stand cut in sal
airy. Either Comber & Mathison would
have to fire him outright, or keep him
on at his present salary; he would not
compromise as the other statesmen had
done.
Twenty-Five hundred a year is a lib
eral piece Of money back East where
they talk with a whine. but it is about
equal to mo pair in Montana With
500 a month and q big expense ac-
count u young salesman may plow
quite furrow around Plymouth Rock,
but out where they roll their RS he
can't make a track. Besides the loss
of prestige and all that, youpg Mitch
ell decided that he could not stand for
a cut on the wife's account; she was
too new. too wonderful; she admired
him too greatly. Why, she might lose
confidence in him if he took a step
backward. No, IL Conner & Mathison
wanted to make any change, they would
have to promote him. But ten minutes
with the "old man" served to jar this
satisfactory determination somewhat.
Mr.. Conner evidently had ideas of his
own.
Business is rotten. We've got to lay
you or" he announced.
"But-Im married" said the young
man.
so am 1: so is Mathison; SO are the
rest Of the fellows
Il can sell goods
That's lust IT: we don't want you to.
Conditions are so unsettled that we
can't afford to let you. The less bust
ness we do. the fewer losses we stand
to make. Good Lord. man this is a
panic year,
Yes. but I'm married. repeated
Mitchell blankly.
Conner shook his head. Wed keep
you in a minute If we could. You go
home now and see the wife. or course.
II you could show US where you're
worth it. we'd let you stay: but II
not he shrugged. "I'll see you to-
morrow
Ordinarily Mitchell would not have al
lowed himself the extravaganza OF a
cab. but today the cars were too slow.
He wondered how the girl would take
this. their first misfortune. But she
OWNED the news even before he had
voiced his exuberant greetings. and,
leading him into the neat little front
room, she curled up at his side and de-
manded the details. He saw that she
was wide-eyed and rather white When
he had finished she inquired bravely:
What is your plan."
Il haven't any"
Nonsense
What can do? don't know any
thing except the steel business I can
lick my weight in wildcats on my
own ground" The wife nodded heI
blonde head in agreement. but thai
lets me out. / can sell steel because
know il from the ground up. it's my
specially"
''Oh. Won mustn't think about making
a change
WHY. I've handled more big tobi
than any man OF my age on the road
and yet-Tm fired" He sighed YEARLY
II built that big pipe line in Portland
I sold those smelters in Anaconda. and
the cyanide tanks for the Highland
Girl Yes. and others. too. know al
about the smelter business. but that's
no sign can sell electric belts or corr
salve. We're I'D against it, guess"
Have people Quit building smelters?'
They sure have-during this panic
There's nothing doing anywhere"
The girl thought for q moment befor'
saying, The last time you were in yor
told me about some western mininl
men who had gone to South Africa
Sure! To the Rand! They've mad
good, too; whopping big operations.
You said there was a large con
tract Of some sort coming up in Lon
DON
Large, Well rather. The Robinson
Ray Job. It's the biggest ever, in m!
line. They's going to rebuild thos
plants the Beers destroyed. I heard al
about it in Montana"
Well Mrs. Mitchell spoke witt
finality. That's the place for you. &c
the firm to send you
'Um-m! l thought about that. but /
scared me out. Its too big. Why. IT
a 100000 job. You see, we've neve
landed a large foreign contract in thi
country as yet" Mitchell sat up sud
denly. Say! this panic might" the
he relaxed. "Oh, what's the use. /
there WAS a chance the firm wouldn
send me. Conner would 90 himself
he'd take the whole outfit over Tor
Job like that. Besides. lis too big
thing for our people, anyhow
Mrs. Mitchells eyes were as round a
buttons.
Three million dollars worth Of steC
in one contract, Do you think yo
could land II If you went?
It's my line of work. I'll bet
know more about cyanide tanks tha
any salesman in Europe. and If l ha
q decent price TO work Oh"
Then it's the chance we've bee
waiting for" The girl scrambled [
her feet and, fetching a chair, bega
10 talk earnestly. She talked for a Ion
time. until the mans gray despondenc
gave way 10 her own optimism. Nc
was IL idle theory alone that she ad
almost as much about the steel bus
ness as he did, and when she ha
finished he arose and kissed her.
You nave put new heart into me ans
how. II you're game to do your shar,
I'll try IL out But remember il ina
mean all we've got IN the bank and
Ha Looked a her da