The Ocala evening star., 1915-04-09

dows was in his son-in-law's, out cut
by one-third in price. And for q time
Wills trade doomed at the expense of
Oakleys.
After while, however. things began
to swing the other way. Oakley's
trade went up and Wills found his
counters deserted. He could not un-
derstand. He did not realize that the
district was not one patronized by
cheap shoppers. and that his shoddy
goods and cheap stock had been tried
and found wanting.
Hiram Oakley, with no bills in his
windows, was doing a roaring trade
during the boom times. Wills found
himself reduced to his last five hun
dred. And he was not taking In enough
to pay the cost OF his help.
AS the sales dwindled Wills posters
became more fashy. Hiram Oakley.
who had had no communication with
the couple since their marriage, knew
that the time was at hand.
But, after all, it was Wills who came
to him-came In humbly, but looking
much more Of man than he had
looked before when he -defied old Oak
ley.
Mr.. Oakley" he began frankly. i've
come to tell you that have been a
fool, sir"
Old Oakley looked him up and down.
There's always hope for man when
he finds that out" he said at length.
Don't think that I've come to ask
your help" said Wills. I'm anxious
about Madge. that's all Frankly, the
business can't go on another month.
And don't know what we are going
to do. You see"
And Oakley learned that he was to
become a grandfather.
There is nothing that touches an
old mans heart so much. Oakley was
genuinely fond of HIS daughter, and he
thought that the pair had had about as
much of lesson as they needed.
$50 I'm thinking Of selling out and
moving 70 another town, sir" con-
tinued Wills. But before go / want
you to forgive Msdge and-and tell me
why l couldn't succeed" he blurted
out II thought l knew all the tricks
Of the trade, with my New York ex-
perience."
$50 you did, my boy" answered Oak
ley briskly You knew tricks that I'd
heard or but never soiled my fingers
with, nor wouldn't
In the first place, you went into
the business in a spirit Of vindtctiye-
ness instead Of willingness, to kill an
other mans trade rather than estab-
lish your own. That can't help show
ing itself In the tone OF the selling
force. Your salespeople took their cue
from you, and they lost customers by
their unwillingness and bad manners.
Then, again, you tried to sell the
same goods l did, but cheaper goods.
People find out good from bad. They
don't repeat their purchases at 9
store that does them"
Wills swallowed hard, for the lesson
was a bitter one. But the spirit OF
vindictiveness had been driven out OF
him.
I'm obliged to you, sir" he said
And you ii see Madge before We leave
next week"
Wait a minutei" said old Oakley
Now it's my turn To speak. I've been
planning turning it into company and
opening a branch. In fact, I've ac-
quired some property for the branch
store, and If you like to be my man.
ager, / think it'll pay you better than
leaving town. / am retaining 55 per
cent of the stock, and In course Of
time it ought TO go to you and Madge.
And then I've only one child. What
do you say?"
Wills grasped old oakley's hands i'm
puIsively. Il say accept-but / don't
deserve It, SIR" he said. And the
branch sGore-where is it to be-"
Across the street." said Oakley.
Subscribe for your magazines al