The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-05-08
CHAPT Err li.-Continued.

?
The younger man glanced at the
card my name is billiard 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 1t too
believe me! I've got 4 sneaking sus-
picion that you and l cen do business
together. Want to consider it?"
All this on such short acquaint-
anee? Aren't you taking fearful
chance?"
Harmon say that the young mans
irises We're extremely luminous and
clear; he leaned forward seriously.
I'm simply backing my bunch, son. In
the long run it pays me-pays me
well. I've sort of taken Il fancy TO
You. As far as / know you may he
the rottenest salesman in the whole
United States; ! wouldn't hire your
experience without some references,
and maybe n surety company back Of
you but I'd hire that face of yours,
and your manner, and your voice off
hand. I'll hire your front-not your
pastl And let me tell you right now
son. | never made a 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 a prop
ostion, are you"
utely"-Harmon's fist on the
table provided the exclamation point.
"Here-I don't know you, and you
don't know me, but If you're hunting
for a job you've found it. It's
your next move"
The young mans lips parted In
grave good humor; Harmon was spell
bound at the effect.
I'll try not to keep you waiting.
This speed of yours rather entices me.
Besides. If my face is my fortune, Ia
better find it out as soon as possible.
This organization of yours is in New
York city. isn't it?"
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 It's
got money to burns Can't swing II,
somehow-they don't respond to any
ordinary selling talk; they're too hide
bound conservative. You know the
kind. Government-bond crowd. And
for 4 year or so they've been making
war profits till you can't see 'em for
dust. Manufacturing town. And Ia
like mighty well to ship you up there
for month or two; give you time
enough to get your bearings, and turn
Won loose. You ought to do great work
in q place like that. They need a chap
like vou-confound it' He halted
abruptly and shook his head In great
bewilderment. 81 can't make 1t out
at ALL You've got the appearance OF
well, sort of a strait-laced
youngster, if you know what ! mean,
and vet the way you say things. +"
The young man gestured blandiy.
"And the town you have In mindY
"It's Syracuse, New York"
"Syracuse?" The young mans chm
was squared by ruler and noticeably
thrust forward.
"Yes: know anybody thereY
billiard laughed unpleasantly and
resumed his former attitude.
.Why. it so happens" he said, bit
inc the words off sharply. "that l was
born and brought up in Syracuse ana
# there's any one place In the world
7 care less about than any other place
.hot,s tho one I'm sorry, but
TIM afraid we're at cross purposes
from here on"
Harmon showed his veXation.
..Nbat's the matter? Haven't you kept
an good terms with your old friends!
mo"
Harmon frowned.
swell is it so bad you couldn't do
onv business there? How do they re-
member you!
THE young man regarded him ston-
iIv fer an instant; then gradually
far-oway expression crept into his
ewes: he started and caught his
breath.
.g'u let you Judge for Yourself lie
,rouoht OUT a fat leather wallet from
which he extracted tiny photograph,
torn from an old passport. What do
YOU think Of that!
Harmon scanned it specifically.
.Nice-loolSing boy. Who is he?"
ST was taken two years ago. said
billiard. resting his elbows on the
tab1e. "You wanted to know how they
remember me- so I'm showing you.
That's a photograph of me, taken two
years ago.
aJmnossible!" Harmon snorted 1T.
.sThat doesn't look any more like you
than than I do Let's omit
the comedy Tn talking business!
The young mans mouth curled.
.Don't be mistaken, Mr.. Harmon
there's very little joking in me when
I ever mention Syracuse" Harmon
shivered Mt the tone, but waved the
photograph in soothing accusation.
you're not trying to sit there and
tell me-
l. f<n1 Es14s