The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-01-29

mated as shrewd. live wire. and all
that. Ned went slow-but sure. He
could not afford to take Constance
around in an automobile nor send
her five-dollar-a-dozen roses. For all
that she seemed to enjoy . drive In
the old-fashioned phaeton, and the
first wild daisies that Ned walked
miles to discover.
One day Ned. passing through the
stock room of the big wholesale store.
was hailed by Joel.
II say. Travers," called out the lat
ter. help me a tri1e, will you? Just
get up on that step ladder and throw
down that row Of boxes"
There was a great long table and
this was soon piled man high with
the boxes. AS Ned got down from the
ladder, his task accomplished, he was
amazed to see Joel jump up on the
table and fling himself into the midst
of the heap. He paved over the
boxes. he rolled. he struck out with
his fists. he jumped about the pile
until it presented great mass OF
wreckage.
"There!" he cried exultantly, that
will do"
For what?" uttered the bewildered
Ned
why, there's nine hundred gross
Of imported Swiss dress trimmings in
that heap of boxes. The season is
past and they're dead stuff. I'm go
ing to put them out as a damaged
job lot sell 'em of and get rid of the
truck"
do you think that is wiser" in
terrogated Ned.
why not?" challenged Joel,
bristling trifle at criticism on his
judgment.
WELL" responded Ned, "of course
you know all about the selling end
OF the business here. but at the buy
ing end my point Of view is different.
i have noticed in our foreign CORE
spondence that the head Of the firtn,
who Is In Germany. has written that
there Is q hint Of war, In which case
prices would go up and shipments
become difficult. He has sent on q
lot of invoices. showing extensive pur.
chases, as II In anticipation Of
dearth-"
"Nonsense!" derided the self-con.
ceited Joel. you don't suppose lie.
tie Switzerland Is going to war. do
you? Say, never make a mistake.
I'll rid the house Of that junk heap
and make a good profit on it."
Which shrewd-selling Joel did.
Then came the news of war and close
on the heels Of the announcement the
head Of the firm returned.
Two days later the amazing news
went the rounds Of the establishment
that Joel had resigned" Later Ned
got wind Of storm.
1t appeared that, knowing Of the
surplus Swiss stock on hand, the head
of the firm had not ordered any new
material. The war had closed all i'm
ports There was little of that espe-
cial brand of goods in the country
and prices had advanced four hun
dred per cent. Joel had lost to the
house possible profits of over ten
thousand dollars.
Immediately upon the announce
ment Of war, Ned had sat up nights
a clear schedule Of the
lines of merchandise that would be
affected. He was called into the pri-
vate office OF his chief later, to re-
ceive the warmest commentator and
a substantial raise in salary.
Stability and usefulness versus
plunging and trickery," was the re-
mark the chief made in an allusion
to the precocious Joel. On the
strength of the raise Ned proposed
to Constance.
"Yes," was her sweet answer, and
yes" it would have been long ago,
Ned learned, IL he had only known
that long since pretty Constance had
seen through the sham and glitter Of
Joel Quinby's extravagant preten-
sions.