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

back to dangerous angle and eyine
his visitor keenly. Dash my buttons!
I thought you were customer when
you came In
Mr.. Ernest Bliss also leaned back in
his chair, which, by the by, he mao
taken unlimited. He was still wearing
the exceedingly well-cut blue serge
suit in which he had started out upon
his pilgrimage. The trousers were,
however, mud-splashed, and his boots
already showed signs OF wear
His expensive malacca reposeu
across his knees. He was SLOWLY WIN
drawing his immaculate relnoeer
gloves from his fingers.
"sorry II disappointed you." ne
observed. IT have called in answer to
your advertisement. wish to sell
er-the Alpha Cooking Stoves, | De-
1ieve you call them"
Mr.. Masters looked his visitor up
and down and failed to recognize the
type.
INJURED obviously.
Il read your advertisement in the
Daily telegraph In the public library
this morning. Bliss continued. You
say that you want man-young, able.
and pushing. I possess all three OF
these qualities"
ever been on the road?" Mrs.
Masters inquired.
The young man hesitated. The tech
nicality of the question for a moment
defeated him. He temporized. :.
What may lack in experience"
he ventured, II certainly make up IN
the quality you call push and IN sheer
undoubted ability"
The young lady who was typ1ng IN
q corner Of the room looked up at
these words and surveyed him curl
Gus. 4 broad grin spread itself over
the round good-natured features. OF
the stove-manufacturer.
"A trifie modest, eh?" he remarked.
mot now" Bliss replied. II started
that way when I began to look for a
lob a fortnight ago. At present l am
irving to realize my own worth. 1t
scenes to be the only way to impress
1t upon other people
Mr.. Masters expression changed.
A prodigious frown spread over MS
features. This time not the flicker OF
a smile escaped him. He was very
formidable person indeed.
Don't believe you ever sold SOAP
dish in your nfe," he crowded.
who has?" his visitor asked bland
lly. What have soap dishes to 90 with
the subject of our conversation? You
81 take It, are the manufacturer Of the
Alpha Cooking Stove. am the man
whom Providence has selected for you
10 sell that particular article at, think
Iyou said, two pounds a week salary,
All out-of-pocket expenses, and five
iper cent commission on sales"
Mr.. Masters brought his chair for
ward Win bang.
sDteady, young fellow! I haven't
managed you yet," he interrupted.
Put you WILL" Bliss declared con-
adsntiy. I'm sure you will, and
phouh Be awfuIly obliged If you would
hurry up and settle It. want to be-
Igin work"
| Mr.. Masters stared at this some
what unusual applicant. He was a
Flarre man, with broad features and a
ifuddy complexion. He had the anx-
kaous look and the wandering eyes Of
Ian inventor. It seemed to be his con-
tdnua aim in life to be regarded as a
I0an OF forbidding appearance, an in
1pirstion with which his own kind
heart was continually contendlng.
well, I'm bowed" he exclaimed
vigorously. Here, Miss Clayton"
The young lady, a plainly dressed,
Arown-haired girl Of quiet but attrac-
tive appearance, ceased her perform
,ance upon a typewriter and turned
round
Eyes, Mr.. Masters7"
"Just bring me the applications for
the Job, will you?" he ordered.
you'll find them all on top of the
safe"
The young lady promptly disappear
ed. Bliss pulled up his trousers a
little higher, displaying an alluring
version Of Bond Street socks.
Waste Of time going through
those rather, isn't it," he suggested
pleasantly. There are always crowds
OF people out of job who answer any
advertisement. Now t. he added
slowly and emphatically, "have never
before been out of a job in my life"
Mr.. Masters, although he made an
effort to conceal the fact, was visibly
impressed.
You've been jolly lucky, then" he
declared. Jolly lucky, young man.
! couldn't have said the same at your
age Never out of job eh?"
Not once" Bliss assured him.
Then the young lady, who had just
returned with pile of letters in her
hand, looked him up and down. There
was a vague disfavor in her eyes.
Have you ever had one?' she
asked sarcastically.
Bliss was speechless. The sudden
ness Of the attack had unnerved him.
Mr. Master, however, saved the sit
uation.
What do you think of that young
mani" he exclaimed triumphantly as