The Irish standard., 1920-04-10
Il said you ought to be-with train.

The young mans mouth turnsd up
ward at the corners.
"Go ahead and describe the job"
"Well. my idea Of pretty sweet job
tor q man Of your age is-to start. OF
course-about twenty . week and
commissions"
sYes1 What per cent commission9'
sOh, eight to ten per cent"
The young man glanced at Harmon
and laughed quietly.
you're broker. Of course. but that
Doesn't sound much IKE conservative
, Investment securities to me. What
% lt-industrials?"
Harmon griMaced.
"Yes. Tn broker" He set down
his glass and fumbled for q card.
''Therel But was thinking more
about stocks than bonds. Some new
Montana properties-copper and zinc.
Metals are the big noise these days.
guess you realize that, don't you?
Aunition work"
The younger man glanced at the
card. my name is Hilliard.- Well
is competition so keen you can afford
to pay that high for business, or Is
the stuff just hard to self"
Harmon, who had begun to nod as
sent to the first question. looked rather
blank at the second. but rallied
quickly.
Competition. But there's money In
It, and you'll get your share Of It too
believe mel I've got sneaking sus.
picion that you and can do business
together. Want to consider itl'
"All this on such short acQuaint-
ancef Aren't you taking q tearful
chance1"
Harmon saw that the young mans
irises were extremely luminous and
clear; he leaned forward seriously.
'I'm simply backing my hunch, sou. In
the long run It pays me-pays me
well. I've sort of taken a fancy to
you. As far as l know you may be
the rottenest salesman In the whole
United States; wouldn't hire your
experience without some references,
and maybe surety company back of
you: hut I'd hire that face of yours,
and your manner. and your voice off
hand. I'd hire your front-not your
pastJ And let me tell you right now,
son. I never made trade as fast as
this before in my life. But there's
something about you that WellT'
The young man was thoughtful and
unblinking.
"You're actually making me prop.
osition. are your"
hs0lutely"-Harmon's fist on the
table provided the exclamation point.
"Here-I don't know you, and you
don't know me. hut II you're hunting
for job you've found 1t. It's
your next move"
The young mans lips parted IN
grave good humor; Harmon was spell
bound at the effect.
"lll try not to keep you waiting.
This speed Of yours rather entices me.
Besides, II my face IL my fortune, I'd
better find It out as soon as possible.
This organization Of yours is In New
York city. isn't it1'
my headquarters are. but I'd want
you to work outside. I've got one spe.
cial town in mind-up the state. That's
where this list is. It's always been
one of our hardest markets. and its
got money to burn. Can't swing It
somehow-they don't respond to any
ordi ..ary selling talk; they're too hide.
hound conservative. You know the
kind. Government-bond crowd. And
for year or so they've been making
war profits till you can't see 'em for
dust. Manufacturing town. And I'd
like mighty well to ship you up there
for month. or two; give you time
enough to get your bearings, and turn
you loose. You ought to do great work
In place like that. They need q chap
like you-confound It'll" He halted
abruptly and shook his head In great
bewilderment. II can't make 1t out
at all! You've got the appearance Of
a well, sort Of strait-laced
youngstcr, II you know what meall
and yet the way you say things. -
The young man gestured blandly.
Sand the town you have in mind?'
| "1t's Syracuse, New York."
"Syracuse7" The young mans chi,
was squared by ruler, and noticeabl.
thrust forward.
"Yes; know anybody there7"
Hilliard laughed unpleasantly AM
resumed his former attitude.
"Why. 1t so happens," he said, bit.
ing tho words of sharply. "that was
born and brought up In Syracuse, and
| II there's any one place in the world
| care less about than any other place
that's the one I'm sorry, bu
I'm afraid we're at cross purpose
from here on"
Harmon showed his vexation
'What's the matter7 Haven't you KEEP,
on good terms with your old friends p
mo-
Harmon frowned. n
"Well, 10 1t so bad you couldn't do
any business there7 How do they re.
member your"
The young man regarded him -ston.
fly for an instant; then gradually q