The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-30

Copyright, 1913. by
 (Continued.)
 3In concluding this report" read the palely concerned MT. Garter, 'I beg to call the attention of the board to the remarkable fact that, while the lunch con and afternoon trade is quite up to expectations. the dinner and supper trade has dwindled to next to noth- ing" The secretary lowered his pa per. Now, I've made some private inquiries about this and have com pared notes with several members of this board and have discovered a curi- ous thing. Men won't go regularly where they are compelled to wear dress suits, but they will wear dress suits in places where they are not compelled to do so."
 President Thomas nodded his head. Matted. guess we'll have to call of the dress suit rule"
 Gall it off" inquired BIackie, still placid. "You mean to have no more dress suits at dinner?''
 ''No; don't mean ttlat,'' replied Thomas. q mean that we must lessen the requirements; reduce the neces- sary fussing up, say, to a clean collar
 I'm for that!'' announced the presf- dent of the Bessemer Nf1nery, who could remember exactly where he got his start and was proud of 1t. "I don't see any sense in refusing a twenty dollar bill because the man who wants to spend it happens to have on pink neektie with an emerald in it."
 Thomas looked at him with grin Why, you're the fussiest dresser in the crowdH' he charged. Seven min utes after every evening finds you cursing your pearl studs.''
 What of it?' defended the Besse- mer man. "Just because like to feel clean is no sign Pm snob!''
 A gIeam of satisfaction rested upon the face of eleven good men and true. The sentiment was popular.
 "eEhe ayes seem to have it, Matteo,'s laughed Thomas t.The dress suit rule must go"
 'sNeverr' stated signore Matteo. quite placidly.
 "But, Matteo," Thomas pleaded. ''you don't get this. People like the place and your food. and they love to pay the price. but they will not be or dered to wear a broad shirt front. The dress suit must go." t "Neyer,'' insisted Vittoreo Matteo, 
 fine place, with everything very swell do so. It is the only kind of a place will run If the people do not come'- he shrugged his shoulders and spread his palms
 "Mr. Presidenti'' rasped the gentle man who had increased the MaIleable company from a brick stable to twelve acre plant. 'I propose that we stop this fool discussion. I move that from and after this date the dress suit rule be discontinued, that the newspa- pers be notified at once of our decision and that we use our advertising space to state that fact. Come as you are would be good slogan
 'tSecond the motion with much en- thusfasm!'' interjected the heavy jowI- ed gentleman who had added twenty four stacks to the smelling works.
 President Thomas drew long sad breath. "I regret to be compelled to announce that the motion is out of order,'' he stated with a sorrowing glance in the direction of Blackie. tSignore Matteo has in his possession a contract signed by the officers of this board and at the direction of the board which gives him absolute management of the Cafe Haut for the next three years"
 A silence like funeral pail descend ed upon that assemblage of earnest business men.
 ssMove we adjourn" snapped the BesSemer man.
 After the adjournment the directors flocked around Blackie in their private and individual capacities, begged him, coaxed him and swore at him. but all 10 no purpose. That obstinate Italian pro tenn. was not to be budged an inch. although they did finally exasperate him to the point of offering to buy their stock They thought he was fool ish until he named the price he would pay Thirty-f1ve dollars a share!
 Thomas was the first man to recover his breath. '@The fundamental prtnct- pie of my business is to stop leak" he stated, with sigh.
 Two days later Blackie went to M. Henri Dufois with a large thick bun dIe of stock certificates.
 "Here it is,'' said he. ''One hundred per cent of the stock of the Cafe Haut company. Give me that check for seventy thousand and change the sign to the Cafe Henri"
 'I don't think I ought to pay you quite so much." smiled HenH. Mon ogrammed china and silverware have not much value"
 q have only an hour and a half to pack and catch my rain,'' laughed Blackie. handing him fountain pen. "'I suppose you'll allow a dress suit in your dining room once in awhile''
 eff the wearer can pay cash" assent ed Henri.
 ''You were long time in closing up,'' grumbled J. Rufus as Blackie stepped off the train in Poplar Center. q have lumber game here that has almost gone stale waiting for you to help with the finishing touch ?
 'Three weeks is short work to close mn &R2 O(l0 nrtlfaf' dlefeni1aN Elackfa