The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1918-03-14
"When Marv
Comes Hone!''
copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper union.l
BY GEORGE ELMER COBB

Bayne, owner of the leading depart
ment store in Fairview.
Exactly, and l am the man to act
the part. l am a stranger to you,
have no credentials, you will have to
take me or trust, but | will guarantee
to double your business in a month, or
no pay"
you are certainly an original gen.
ius," commented the merchant million
aire, with whimsical smile. "How
did YOU come to apply for positionF
"Oh, Just drifted into Fairvlew," re-
piled Warren airily, caught the cur
rent business gossip, knew that COM
petition was at the boiling point, and
guessed that you would welcome man
who could solve the problem
VERY good" said Mr.. Bayne. Il
like your nerve and confidence. TIL
take you on trial for month"
Mr.. Bayne had retired from business
activity year since, but the store had
been thrown on his hands by debtor.
There were two department stores In
Fairview and the fight for patronage
was intense.
Warren appeared at the store early
the next morning. I'm not a gradu-
ated efficiency expert" he remarked to
Mr.. Bayne, simply hustler. Pm not
here to sell the goods, My mission Is
to drive in the customers and see that
the clerks sell them right"
People "sat up promptly and took
notice" Warren started an active ad-
vertising campaign and every cross
roads was decorated with glaring sign
posts, pointing the way to the bon
Ton Emporium"
He gave band concerts in the store.
He organized bargain day trolley tours
from other towns. He had the store
front redecorated and display space
Increased.
It's working" he reported to Mr..
Bayne you see that, don't your"
81 must admit 1t as quite manifest"
acknowledged the gratiied capitalist.
Summer is coming on" proceeded
Warren, in his breezy, rattling way.
"Wenl have two tanks of free Ice wa
ter at the main entrance, screen doors
and electric fans. Well give away
hand fans with our advertisement on
It,"
Warren had become popular in a
business way and socially. There was
much speculation as to his antecedents
but when some sinquisitive gossip
strove to pierce the veil, Warren would
good-naturedly assume half quizzical,
half mysterious air and evade direct
disclosures.
"When Mary comes home things will
liven up" young lady told him and
many repeated it, and Warren heard so
much about the daughter Of his EN-
ployer that he began TO look forward
to the return from distant seminary
of Mary Bayne.
He was returning from a business
trip TO another town one morning In
the light store gig. when he came upon
a stalled automobile. Helplessly sur
veying its mechanism was young
lady. Warren was soon at her side.
"Are you in trouble?" he asked. "And
can | help you? All! see," as he In
vestigated within the metal hood a
| loose ignition wire.
81 am so stupid about the machine,
except the wheel and levers, that am
not to be trusted to run the auto
alone" said the young lady.
"You will do very nicely now" spoke
Warren, after adjusting the wire at
fault, and felt repaid for his brief ef-
forts as the young lady smiled sweetly,
thanking him for his signal assistance.
When he reached the store he noticed
the same automobile in front of 1t.
my daughter, Mr.. Warren" intro
duced his employer. as Warren entered
the office and his lady Of the country
road mishap brightly recognized him.
Then came to Warren the pleasant
est period of his life. Mary Bayne
had graduated and they met often. It
was one year to a day from that upon
which Warren had assumed the man
agprial duties, when he entered the Of
fee.
mfr. Bayne," he spoke in his clear
definite way. 81 love your daughter and
| 7 think she likes me. | haven't told
her what impart to you. May IT,
Mr.. Baync looked troubled. His face
| grew serious.
"Warren." he said, 81 have feared
this and / am sorry for 1t. l have
never more valued mans services nor
more admired unfaltering loyalty and
Integrity, but there are social distinc-
lions and my wife is stlckler for
them"
"Oh," interrupted Warren lightly, ''if
that is ALL the remedy Is speedily at
hand. Are you willing to write to my
father what you have just said to me-
as to my making good in business
way?"
'Your father-write? You shall al
ways have my unqualified indorse-
ment."
"Thanks" nodded Warren. brighten
ing up, and he scrawled name on
card
"'James Raleigh" read his en-
ployer. "the bank president of Spring
field, member of congress"
"Et cetera ct cetera," laughed War
rem. Il am his son, Bruce Raleigh.
disappointed him, chained down to a
desk, and asked year to demonstrate
and prove that was worth something
acting on my own initiative. You'll
certify to that and smooth out affairs,
won't your"
"Warren, you are irresistible" ex'
claimed Mr.. Bayne.