News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1915-12-01
Rodney nodded.

|
| wanted to see your father, and she
at the house."
"Well, let her talk to me-" Rodney
announced, remembering that he had
taken a course in elementary French at
Harvard
"Say, can you speak French" asked
Peale, surprised and impressed by his
new partners accomplishments.
"Not very well, but | can under
stand it," said Rodney. Then, going
over to the countess, he said blankly
in English. Fire ahead"
"Eh?" said the countess.
"Let me see. Oh, yes-parez," slut
tered Rodney
"Ah mon u-enfn-vous-com
nez Francais?" began the countess de-
lightedly.
"Oui," said Rodney.
you're immense, kid" put in Peale
The one French word was enough to
start up the countess at her best gait.
'Je suis Madame la Comtesse de
Beaurien-je desire parler a Monsieur
Martin apRopos DIES affaires du savon.
Je voudrais obtenir Iagence du savon
Martin pour la France" she ratified off
in one breath.
"Wait minute-wait minute"
said Rodney.
"What did she say?" asked Mary.
"She's a speedy spieler, all right"
said Peale.
"Would you mind saying that over,
and say it slow?" asked Rodney of the
countess.
"Eh?" said that lady again.
ooh, repetez ca sill vous plait-lente-
ment,' stumbled Rodney.
"Je suis Madame la Comtesse de
Beaurien-je desire obtenir Fagence du
savon Martin pour Ia France-le peux
bonner cinquante mile francs pour
cette agence"
"Oui," said Rodney, quite pleased
with himself, upon which the countess
was off again:
SET entin-voulez vous arranger cette
affaire pour moi? J'ai beaucoup de
references, Je suis richie; je suis bien
cOnnue Paris"
"Wait minute-wait a minute" pro-
tested Rodney. Then, turning to Peale,
he interrupted plausibly:
"She wants the agency for fathers
soap for France and is willing to pay
10000 francs Tor the concession"
'How much is that in real moneys"
asked Peale quickly.
"Ten thousand dollars" said Rodney.
Had better tell your fatherY' ask
ed Mary. But Rodney had an inspira-
ton.
mo- no! Why not keep father out of
this? Well sell her the agency for
the IL Soap. That'd be another ten
thousand for us. Peale, she's a gift
from the godsv'
go to it, said Peale, elated.
'But how can you sell her your agen-
cy?' objected the prudent Mary.
% II don't know. How can I?' won
dered Rodney.
eff only Marie We're here to interpret
for us"' sighed Mary
The three partners looked at each
other helplessly. They felt as if there
were something lowering around that
ought not to be allowed to get away,
and yet it still eluded them.
81 suppose Marie's the French maid"
said Peale. Doesn't she ever come to
the office? 1t might pay us to send up
for her. Get a taxi. Buy one, to get
$4,000 back on it,
But as luck would have it Marie her.
self burst through the door at this mo-
ment, shrieking violently at the under
in her native gibberish. She
was another gift from heaven, said
Rodney. 1t was the work of q few
minutes to introduce the two compa-
riots and turn them loose on each
other. Rodney bundled them into
side room so the rest could hear them
selves think, he said. Then he sent
Mary and Peale after them, Mary. on
second thought, to translate Peale's
slang and Marie to put it into French.
Suddenly a door opened. and he
started guiltily, but his fears turned
o hope when he saw Mr.. William
Smith coming in. Old Uncle William
smith. one of the oldest friends of the
amily. had been one of the capital
Possibilities he had had in mind.
Mr. Smith was not really an uncle,
,ut bore that title only by way of cour-
esy. Rodney's mother and Mrs. Smith
lad been at school together, and their
,hildren, in the tender years when the
'eal and the pretended are not clear to
hem in the matter of uncles, had al
ways looked upon their elders as re-
ated. Uncle William Smith, when ]
Rodney was boy, used to make a
,reat show of looking through all his
pockets to see if he had nickel in
hem for him. Would he find anything
low? He would tackle Uncle William
or $4,000. Would he fall? Well, he
ould try.
Peale stuck his head through the door
t this moment to catch Rodney's eye
nd execute a large and ON the whole !
ncouraging wink apropos of the
'rench interview. Rodney gave anoth-
r wink to Peale that said volumes a,
bout Mr.. Smith.
That's all now, Mr.. Peale," said :
,odney, raising his voice.
"lpS sir I understand - said Paala '