The Prescott daily news., 1915-05-25
for he looked the antiquated peda-

 Marsh and stated that the college trustees had set apart five thousand dollars to buy library. For a week he inspected the shelves of the book store and it's catalogues, writing down a list of innumerable volumes and their prices, and old Abercrombie rubbed his hands quite jovially at the prospects of making a big sale with broad profits.
 Several times the old professor had spoken of a set of books representing the works of an obscure and wellnigh forgotten German savant. These GOV cred some abstruse psychological ideals and had been great favorite with him, he said, in his younger days
 You might take run around and see if you can find any trace of the set" MT. Abercombie suggested to John one day. 'Profesor Marsh seems very eager for it and has offered two thousand dollars if we can deliver the commission"
  umes were nowhere to be found, in fact very few of the booksellers had ever heard of them. One afternoon, however, he was met by the manager of rival book house.
 T say Pembroke" observed this individual, T think I have located those books. In fact, have found man who has a complete set. If l direct you up against him, what Is there in it for me?"
 Ten per cent
 All right. I'll send the man to you"
 He appeared the next day, seedy, hungry-looking fellow, who suggested the actor on a forced vacation, or the average literary hack.
 MT. Abercrombie cast look of vain pride at his manager as he turned the fellow outside out as he boasted chucklingly after the bargain was made, and beat the price down from fifteen hundred dollars to eleven hun dred and fifty dollars.
 Follow my tactics" he observed to John. Get your order before you buy, as have done"
 The owner of the set of rarities ap- peared the following morning in a cab. The volumes in question were unloaded the man was paid his price. MT. Abercrombie turned up his nose at the books as he looked them over
 "A clear profit on lot of old truck with no real value' he observed.
 Professor Marsh did not appear as usual that morning, nor in the after noon. MT Abercrombie began to get uneasy. the next morning anxious. He sent John to the hotel where the erudite college president had been stopping.
 Gone, sir, left last night" reported John upon his return
 "You-you don't mean permanent ly?" questioned the bookseller, quaver of suspicion in his voice
 T do," replied John
 Then" Il fear you are swindled sir re- minded the young manager Pro lessor Marsh left with a man precise ly answering to the description of the person who sold us the books. It was well put up game. fear"
 MT Abercrombie looked bored, more humiliated He put on his hat and went out to investigate. He was subdued and crestfallen when he re- turned Jessie happened to be pres ent when he returned
 The bookseller pottered around for a spell. Then he came up to Jessie and John. who were conyersing casu- ally.
 "Ahem" hustered the old man, "I believe we will say no more about that money you invested some time since In fact, we'll call that trans action square,
 Why, thank you. sir" spoke John gratefully
 And I would not let anyone of our rivals know how cleverly l was duped."
 Indeed not, sir
 And have eyes. and perhaps l am getting past my usefulness. A mistake like this We had better discuss our business mutually after this"
 Jessie was beaming She nudged her lover Speak now!" she whis- pered
 Then John proffered his request. Surely opportunity was knocking at his door and quite graciously old Abercrombie smiled upon the engaged