Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-26
CHAPTER XVII.
The Busy Countess.
Copyright. lsi4-ls1S. by Roi Cooper
Nesrue and Walter Hackett,

The Busy Countess. 4.
II Z was all wrong, unnatural. Some
thing must be the matter between
old Rodney and his father. Am
brose Peale reasoned, and he be-
lieved he knew what 1t was. He
would go up and see old Mr.. Martin
at once, tonight, before 1t was too late.
No, not tonight, tomorrow morning,
Saturday, when the soap magnate
would be home and the coast clear.
No, Saturday afternoon after lunch,
when people were more apt to feel gay
and good natured.
That was how, as consequence Of
this mood and various meetings and
reflections, Ambrose Peale came to
give his name to johnson at the soap
kings house next day.
Meanwhile in, far away Chicago
something of importance to the little
company had taken place. The soap
had begun to sell. One demand after
another had come in and finally made
an Impression It was as II stone
had been dropped in the puddle and
the. circles had widened out and out.
The last ripple reached New York and
Mr.. Martin when johnson came one
+ day to the library and announced:
Il beg pardon. A gentleman to see
You, SIR" handing his master q card on
silver tray.
"AIr. Charles Bronson" read Martin.
What's he want?"
"He says he's from Brown & James,
Chicago" said Johnson.
"Oh, q kick, 1 suppose. Send him
in"
He had to confess, however, that Mr..
Bronson Of Chicago did not look like .
kick when he came In, though his first
words were ominous. He seemed very
full Of business, and his business, It
seemed, was about IS Soap.
S"Well, what about ftp Mr.. Martin
demanded, not too graciously.
Mr.. Bronson took bis cue and WAS
I Oh. While Of course they understand
that the IS Soap was made by Mr.. Mar
tins son, Mr.. Rodney Martin. at the
same time, as he wired he would be
responsible for that order, Brown 4
James felt that some one should frst
see him in the matter. They realized.
Of course, that Mr.. Ndrtin was back
ing his son. It's
"Well, why shouldn't back him =
interrupted Martin grumy.
"Of course, Of course" Bronson
agreed. THAT is why we'd like to
place our order through ysu."
I Mr.. Martin paused with his cigar in
midair.
"Place your what?' he repeated in
amazement as he ,beheld Mr.. Bronson
snap back the elastic from his russell
leather order pad and hold his pencil
over it. ~
Through some error we received
only 5000 cakes" explained Bronson.
"instead Of $4,000. BUT that's all gone"
'All gone? What happened to 1t?
We've sold it."
Mr.. Martin could not believe his ears.
''Sold it!' he ejaculated. n
Eyes, and we want the balance Of
the original order you were kind
enough to throw our way and as much
more soap as we can get" went on
Mr.. Bronson -briskly.
Mr.. Martin could not understand IL
"But only the other day had 4 lot,
ter from Brown & James saying they
hadn't sold cake" he said, pushed.
Mr. Bronson laughed.
II know, I know he said. I'VE felt
at first that Of course there conld be
no popular market for dollar SOAP
we weren't as farsighted as you were. .
MI. Martin cleared his throat
"But Of course when those extraor-
binary advertisements appeared, SO dit,
ferent from your usual conservativ
publicity, well, the sales began immedi-
ately; we sold the 5000 cakes IN two
days." s
"And the advertising did TT" MI.
Martin ventured to inquire
"Of course. What else?" said Br0n-
son. He proceeded with further ex,
plantations. Now we want to handle
your goods exclusively in the west.
with extensive immediate deliveries.
Cam that be arranged?'' sE
The soap king paused a moment to
reflect. y.
1T ought to be. What do you o..
fer?' he said. sss,,
II dare say we could contract FOR q
quarter Of million cakes Of SOAP
began Bronson glibly.
"a quarter Of milliony' repeated
Martin in an establishment which MT
Bronson evidently misunderstood fol
ne added:S - ~ 5f55 IS $3.50 y
"Of course we might do little bet
ter II We could settle the matter al
once." ~ {, 81
II should have to consult my son
first said Mr.. Martin It last, quite
truthfully. NJ
ooh, then, perhaps ought to 60 ~
him." said Mr.. Bronson, rising. Mr.
Martin rose also. s.
sNot at all-not at Ill. rllsattend "a
| it: he said.
SBut we thought that You would have
full power" began Bronson. puxaled.'
"As matter Of courtesy Nj. Mar
tin explained, 81 should like 10 talh
things over with my own boy
'.But you control the product?'
NMr. Bronson. you can trust mo Il
handle this thing. /"
.tOf course. Of course! VIXEN can j
nee you agaih1D AZ A.
SIN half an hour.. sar. Martin %.
every wen. ss4,d =, ~,