The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1917-06-29

Bowser came along. He cast look at
the weight, and as near as he could
figure they We're giving 1850 pounds
for ton. Nevertheless, he went in.
Good morning, SIR" saluted the
dealer Glow much coal did you wish
to order this morningT'
THAT depends somewhat on circu1n-
stances" was the reply. Twill you as
sure me of full weight?'
"Oh, most surely. That is one of the
things pride myself on
"And clean coal?"
'"That is another of the things"
II just noticed ton load on your
scale. and saw that it was 100 pounds
short. and there was u heap of Stag
and slate in sight"
The dealer turned very red in the
face and rushed out into the yard and
was absent three or four minutes
When he returned to tell Mr.. Howser
that it was a ton of coal ordered for
the house Of one Of his employees ana
was sold almost at half price he found
his customer was gone. He ran out
again and berated the wciyher Int it
was too late
Mr.. Eowser found the next three
dealers courteous, honest men They
gave full weight and sometimes n I;tt]a
mere: they sold only clean COAL their
aim was 10 satisfy al c.stol1>. ~; the.
mad never had Il complaint The grocer
and butcher might give short weight
at lr'cr the coal man; his ruusvl, II. &
urbal, that.
Nh. i,owscr extended his trip for two
mics without placing his u,,rr ana
finally entered the sixth oil c.
How many tons and where tor
asked the dealer a., he wet tie point
OF his pencil with his tongue.
Il want two tons of coal, but
But you want to do IL lite kicking
first. Kick away"
will you deliver ne fun 1000
pounds?'
NO. sir" was the emphatic reply
'1f | deliver 3.700 pounds you migi;
thank your stars"
But Will it be free burning coal?"
mo. sir! There will be the usua
amount of Stag and slate mixed in"
But but stammered Mr.. Bow
SER in his surprise.
"Oh, don't take me for a foolr' said
the dealer. You have doubtless been
to other dealers, and they claimed to
he honest men and filled you up with
promises Of full weight and free coal
am not an honest coal dealer myself
nor am ! a liar. No man is in the coal
business for his health. We are all
driven into dishonesty. | have Just re-
celVcd consignment of 200 tons of
coal. 1t is at least ten tons short. Am
| going to make up for the loss, or have
my customers got to do it,"
Mr. Bowser did not reply.
"lsook here, old man." continued the
dealer. THE mine owner cheats his
railroad. The railroad cheats the whole.
sale dealer. The wholesale dealer
cheats the retailer. The retailer cheats
the consumer. l have six drivers, and
every one Of them cheats me by sell
ing from his load three or four buckets
OF coal on every trip he makes. lie.
sides that, there is stealing from
yard, and my Waterman sells barrel
or two Of coal every night. 1t is an
endless chain Of cheating, and they
who won't cheat are out Of the bust.
ness after one year."
But who will cheat?" asked Mr.
Bowser
You may cheat the man who shov-
els the snow off the sidewaIk-if you
cam" was the sobered reply. AT least
you will have to cheat somebody or
suffer the loss. am sorry it is so, for
would like to be an honest man, but
can't be, the way things are run.
Win you give me your order, sir. and
let me cheat you? 1t might as we'll
be me as any Of the Others"
IL think l WILL" replied Mr.. Bow.
ser. II have tried honest men long
enough. 1 will make change and try
a dishonest one"
And Mr. Bowser gave his address,
paid for the coal and walked out. He
was at home when the wagon drove
up, and as there was public scale
within two blocks Of his house he said