Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-24
BRUNO DUKE
Solrer of Business
Problems
THE PROBLEM or THE EMPTY
MANSION
By HAROLD WHITEHEAD
4 Successful Representation


ONB day early in August had a
~ telegram from Bruno Duke which
bid me that he and two other men
would be at THE Barracks" that after
noon for few days
Rooms were, fortunately, vacant, so
] had their quarters fixed up and put
tn good shape for ! guessed, rightly,
that the men were prospective buyers
of THE Barracks"
In the afternoon powerful car drove
up TO the house and Duke, with lis
two friends, alighted. My! but it was
good TO see him. Just to know he Is
near you is Il source Of relief, for you
feel there is a strength Of mind and
clearness Of vision for immediate use
that will not fail.
The two men he introduced were a
Mr.. Paul Carpenter and Mr.. o. G.. Blood.
Carpenter was a Well-to-do Wall street
broker, while Blood was an expert
enced hotel man.
l noticed with pleasure the glance OF
appreciation Blood gave to the appear
ance of the place and the more he saw
of 1t the more pleased lie appeared to be.
Carpenter was also impressed, but lie
seemed afraid to express any feeling on
the matter guess lied make a good
poker player
1t was glorious day when they ar
rived and The Barracks" was certainly
looking beautiful. The guests walking
to and fro gave the place quite gay
look. The lawns were freshly cut and
many flowers and shrubs were at their
best.
could not help comparing The Bar
racks on that glorious August after
noon TO the appearance 1t made the first
time Duke and / saw the property.
Duke told me afterward that he'd
planned the day and hour Of arrival.
He chose day that gave every promise
of being bright and lie chose the hour
Just before dinner when guests would
be near the house, waiting the dinner
hour and while still light-the light was
sufficiently mellow 50 IS to soften the
appearance of the place.
First Impressions are all important
Peter lie explained later. "and i'll a
deal Of this size too much care cannot
be given to make the first impression a
decidedly favorable one.
After n jimdandy dinner, Carpenter
| Blood. Duke and / strollcd around the
grounds. We walked to the high rocky
land overlooking the little bathing beach
| There We sat dowll and chatted. while
the glory Of the open sea. shimnering
like silver in the moonlight, made Il
feast for the eyes of those two New
Workers..
Blood WAS charmed with ,the beauty
of the place. He commented again ant
again on the shadowy outline Of the
rocky rugged coast line and twinklint
lights Of houses. which appeared as fiery
jewels OF light set III IA perfect noCtlrn
Even Carpenter was impressed ant
gave cautious comments of approval.
Then we returned to the house an,
J sat ON the broad piazza where coffee anC
cigars We're served.
We all sat in silence until CarpenteI
said
This piazza to be screeued"'
NO" ! answered him, I've neVe
seen a mosquito here. We are SO higl
and have SEA water on three sides o
the house
Then again Blood gave n sign o
content and drawled:
This sure is great after liz oil
Broadway in August"
After they had retired Duke came &
my room and said:
you've done spendidlv, Peter. 81
far everything is fine. We've made
very strong. favorable impression o.
Carpenter and Blood, but tomorrow i
very important. We must help to max
them as pleased with Tile Barracks" i
the bright daylight as they We're wit
, ii in the glow Of evening