Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-13
BUSINESS CAREER
OF PETER FLINT
4 Story Of Salesn,anship by
Harold Whitehead
(CopyriEht)

MhEN L got to kelletts office was
w SO puffed with running that I
couldn't speak for minute.
He was in, fortunately, and told me
to Sit down till I got my breath.
In a little while I was able to tell
MIN the trouble. I explained to him
that to get statesmen 1 must give them
their commission right away, and
couldn't do 1t If I paid him his propor-
ton of all payments.
he became as cold as an iceberg and
said In tone like he snapped off his
words as they came out Of his mouth
What would you expect me 70 do
surely, you can't expect me to loan YOU
money as well as to let you have the
land to sell without any obligation or
expense till you sell it."
L gulped and then stammered. "I
Know | ought to have reasoned it out
put when you said--you said, / got
half Of all collections II thought of
half---as half and"
Il may have used the word half, but
you must have understood perfectly
what was meant. However, II you can't
handle the land there's no need for you
to sell it."
But I've bought my furniture and
everything now" L cried in agonized
| tones.
"It will be just as useful to you in
selling other land" He got up and
walked the Office. while gazed at him
too miserable to speak. Finally he said !:
| III you wish, you can have deck
room here and just sell the land your
self. Then you'd make a good thing out
| or 1t: but, Of course, I couldn't give
you SO much commission"
You mean," I gasped, give up my
business and work for you as a commits
sion salesman"
You have not so much of a business
to give up" he dryly commented.
Il couldn't do 1t. l. want my own
business. Besides. Mr.. Kellett, I'll sell
| your land much quicker with statesmen
| than just by myself. Think how much
! sooner you'll get your money! can't
work for you. I want to be my own
boss"
He compressed his lips so tightly that
! they became oircled with a rim Of white
where he had compressed the blood
| away.
Then he said, 'very we'll, I'll give you
another chance, and If you don't like this
| 10 per cent Of the value Of the land
sold, such loans repayable in full six
months from date Of loan.
| That, of course, is in addition to the
| half-the part of what 1 get anyhow
from each payment.
"of course it will enable you to pay
commissions in full if you desire"
/ felt weight taken off my mind and
could only say
Thank you. thank YOU'LL see you
are looked after all right !"
/ will mo. ,J...
Then he continued, For this loan shall
charge you 10 per cent, to be deducted
from the loan at the time of making >
7 Ten per cent for a six months loan
That's 20 per cent in a year. Isn't that
too much?" I protested.
mot for the risk--and the trouble
It's really trifle, after all, mere I
per cent CT the price of the land. How
evereIm not urging you to take it; in
| fact, prefer you wouldn't"
The thought of losing even that chance
so startled me that I quietly agreed
After all, 1 per cent isn't so much.
Back to my office I trailed, feeling
better, but still very worried. Somehow
that per cent didn't seem just right,
as figured it out and arrived at the
result.
If land sells for $3.50 get loan of
$25, on which 1 pay $3.50 for interest.
| MY pront IL 9lUV, lot WnlCn loSe SS.DU,
or 21s per cent.
When think of those fool figures I
showed Francis last week l want to kick
myself The thousands of dollars profit
they showed me are rapidly dwindlng
away.
| A quiet young man came in late in
the afternoon and asked If I wanted
a salesman.
| Did I want a salesman
! He was all ready to work on straight
! commission, liked the proposition and
said he'd return in the morning ready
to start work.
He had two or three small bundles
with him which he placed on Miss
Sloan's table when he entered. AS he
left he gathered up his bundles and
promised to return in the morning at
| 9 o'clock.
! 1t was late then, so I put on my hat
and coat and left him, calling to Miss
Sloan to lock the door as she left.
AS the elevator was taking US down
thought I heard Miss Sloan calling
me, but I wasn't sure and, anyhow.
whatever it is can wait till tomorrow.