Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-31


or less covertly insolent.
He was at divers times informed,
when he got hearing at all, that his
particular stove was the worst, the
dearest and the most out-of-date Of all
stoves that ever encountered the
ground
day. Distaste of this new career upon
which he had entered, half in spirit
of bravado and half with real
though feeting enthusiasm, deepened
with his lack Of success.
His knees began to tremble, no
longer from nervousness, but from
actual weakness. He slept in a cheap
lodging on the topmost floor of a
house in a dingy neighborhood, and
he ate cheap food. He lived on his
weekly two pounds, which he accept
ed after his fruitless labors with
groan; and each evening when he re-
turned to the little warehouse on Fore
street to make his report he went
through sort of purgatory.
The moment his foot crossed the
threshold 1t began. The warehouse
man, who was generally engaged in
polishing the model stove, stopped his
work and looked at him expectantly.
Mr.. Masters always met him at the
Office door. His stereotyped question
was delivered with eagerness which
it was daily more hard to conceal.
ANY luck today, Bliss"
The brown-haired girl. too, ceased
her work and looked at him.
Each time he had to make the same
answer. 1t was becoming unbearable.
On the twenty-sixth day he limped
painfully in to face his ordeal. He
had walked from Islington and was
giddy He spoke even before he could
open the door, spoke with half-closed
eyes. He felt that today he was
bringing with him the eliminating dis
appointment. He had been to keep an
appointment upon which Mr. Masters
had placed great hopes.
mo luck" he announced. mot the
ghost of an order. Bembers wouldn't
see me. Their clerk told me
that they had placed large con-
tract for an American stove Ave per
cent cheaper than ours"
The girls face was suddenly avert.
ed. Mr.. Masters, with a muttered
word, rose and went out into the ware.
house. Bliss sank into his vacant
chair and covered his face with his
hands. The girl looked across the
room at him and sighed.
"You seem tired" she said. shall
/ make some tea?"
The note Of compassion in her voice
was the most pleasant thing he had
heard that day. He looked up at her
gratefully.
IF you would" he replied II do
feel pretty we'll done. suppose I am
a mug" he went on bitterly, but I
don't believe the Archangel Gabriel
could sell those stoves"
II am afraid she sighed as she
crossed the floor with a cup of tea,
chat the brokers' man will have to-"
He looked up at her quickly.
What do you meant" he asked.
81 thought that we could not get them
fast enough; that they were all being
shipped for export
Bluff" she assured him. "Al]
bluff! don't suppose there's any
harm in telling you now. Mr.. Mas.
tiers bought the whole bankrupt stock
of an iron founder in Sheffield. 1t
was great speculation for him, but
you know how sanguine he is. He
and not twenty sold. The first bill for
the material was paid last week, and
the next is due on Tuesday. We can.
not meet it. We can only just pay the
wages on Saturday. BY next Tues.
day we shall have five hundred stoves
in stock and not penny in the bank"
Bliss could say nothing. He only
sat and stared.
81 feel so sorry for Mr.. Masters"
she went on softly. HE was only a
man and he saved the few
hundred pounds he started with, week
by week. He is SO proud Of his name
and character. think 1t will break
his heart II he has to fail, and there
is no help for 1t that I can see."
give hundred stoves in stock"
Bliss murumred, "at fourteen guineas.
Why doesn't he sell some at little
less, just enough to pay this bill?"
She nodded.
"He has tried to do that, although
he hated it because he did not think
1t was fair business. He offered two
hundred today at actual cost to firm
just to pay next weeks bill. They de-
clined. He is almost desperate about
it."
Great Caesar!" Bliss muttered
And I have been kicking myself be-
cause couldn't sell them at fourteen"
That's different thing altogether.
You have been calling mostly upon re-
tail people and fourteen guineas is a
very fair price. To tell you the truth
l am surprised that you haven't sold
any," she added little urfeelingly.
You seemed so very confident when
you started"
He set his teeth. There was look
in his face which would have astonish-
ed Sir James Aldroyd.
There are two days left" he re-
her grimly.
The door was thrown open and Mr..
Masters hustled in with his accustom-
ed air of exuberant energy He was
humming tune to himself, but his az
fected cheerfulness was overdone.
"Ah, there you are, Bliss!" he ex-