Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-08
BUSINESS CAREER
OF PETER FLINT
A Story of Salesmunsliip by
Harold Whitehead
Copyright
Copyrisbt
CCCxvII
VLJHEN We got TO Mrs Sempers's after
w dinner at the Albatross Bruno

CCCXv1I
WHEN we got to Mrs. Semperss after
w dinner at the Albatross Bruno
Duke was there.
When he saw me he gave me a smile
of warm. friendly, confidential welcome.
Welcome back, friend Peter. I hope
you had a good rest and found all your
people we'll and happy"
Splendid. thank you, Mr.. Duke. Hope
you are in tho pink"
Bruno Duke looked at me in an
amused kind OF way and said, you've
lost your lease"
Lost my--how's that? What do you
mean?" I exclaimed.
81 saw your landlord and managed TO
get a cancellation OF the contract on
your office for months rent paid In
advance. l paid It, and so you owe me
that"
II don't see how you managed it
the agent Is such a stuck-up kind of a
| chap"
Simple" answered Duke, with that
kind OF man. I appealed to his vanity
I painted picture of his magnanimity
in letting you off. He became anxious
to release you just to enjoy the sensa-
ton OF being kind of phlanthropist."
Then" I said in surprise, "the office
is already shut?'
Very much so. The furniture has
already been returned The stationery
I have given to Abercrombie at his re-
quest, although why I don't know, for
1t has your name on it,"
Perhaps he's going to print his name
on II as successor to- or perhaps he's
| going to cut 1t up for scribbling paper
/ A ltaIil III.
wasted"
"Your name is off the door, the type
writer is returned to the maker. and
thus ALL traces Of your real estate ven.
ture have been dissipatcd"
| "Mr Duke" ] had drawn UP chair
near his and began to speak earnestly
| in an undertone, "why have you done
| all this for me--you, the leading bust
ness counselor in the country. wasting
your time on such trivial thlngs?"
Because I wanted TO relieve you
mind OF everything which might caus,
you unrest. I want you to be quit,
free to think over an offer ] propos,
making you. An offer which. IL you ac
cept. viii require all your attention"
That sounds very interesting. Mr.
Duke. What ~ it?"
"fll take II up with you in the morn
ing" he said. will you come arount
TO my room on Seventy-seventh stree
at-how does 9:30 suit your
'I'll be there. Mr.. Duke"
II was the first time I'd been TO hi
rooms and there I had a surprise II
has suite of rooms all to himself 4
rather old but comfortable buildn
on Seventy-seventh street.
/. Dukes suite is on the second FOO
He has a man to look after II. Whe
rang the bell the man opened tn
, door and said: "Mr. Duke expects 20,
Mr. Flint" He took my hat and Goa
and showed me to the dining room.
, There was Duke. having breakfas
: Come right along, Peter" To h
man he called. walter. bring Mr.. Fir
cup of coffee" Then to me he sal
; again with that amused expressio
: SO typical of him:
Here in my own sanctum ca
indulge my fancies. Among my flower
/ and my music che nodded in the dire,
j tion of the living room, he calls 1t h
music room. where I caught a glimps
; of a grand piano, on which l notice
a violin), I can forget business an
!. its problems"
. Walter had brought in pot ,
/. steaming strong coffee and served m
: He then brought a hookah, which he
E for Duke, who puffed contentedly fC
. a few minutes and then said abruptly
, Friend Peter, here's my suggestio
: for you"