The Lambertville record., 1920-10-15
Upper Puts On a Sub
A SHORT STORY By sEWELL FORD

by the way they look at me. Oh, yes,
1 can. Especially if it is someone
have had correspondence with. They're
disappointed, and show it. Why, see
here, Shorty; within the last three
months I've lost out on two big deals
that 1 thought l had all sewed up,
simply because the men thought
didn't look the part"
l suggests.
Tupper shakes his head mo"
says he. "The last experience made
the case too clear. You know what
my line is, l suppose-motor stocks.
] place new issues, get 'em underwrit-
ten, have 'em listed And if l must
say it myself, l know the game thor
oughly. I've been at it for ten years.
! l have the proper connections, Know
! how to get about it, all that. And yet
when those Toledo people came on
here five or six weeks ago, all primed
to hand over a big job to me, they
! took one look and turned me down
fiat. Just look, mind you. Wouldn't
even listen to my proposition. Glanced
at each other, nodded back and fort1,
! and said they were sorry, but they'd
have to talk it over. They'd let me
know later. And that's the last l ever
heard from them except when they
placed their issue in the hands of an
other man the next day. So you see?''
You think it was just your looks
queered you, eh says l.
at isn't fiattering thing to admit"
says he, but think exactly that Pm
sure, in fact And tomorrow-well, l
suppose it will be the same old story
l have a conference on with some De-
troit men, and an executive committee
| representing an automobile concern
| that is going to float million dollar
issue. We have been corresponding
for month and have all the details
practically settled All but signing the
papers. l tried to have that done
through our. attorneys. But no, they
had decided on a personal meeting.
You know how directors are. And it
gives them an excuse for little junket
trip to New York at the expense of
the company. Yes, they insised on
conference in my office, and if they
are like the others-well, know what
that means. l can just picture the way
they will act after they've had their
first look"
| He's so frank about it l can't help
indulgin' in a grin WHY not put
on a SUBJ" I suggests.
WHAT says he, starin' at me.
Get an understudy who does look
the part" says l.
by George" says he, rubin his
half-portion chin thoughtful.
Some big imposin' guy" I goes on,
chucklin.
Course, had no idea he was takin'
my josh serious. In fact, l wasn't
sure but I'd been little too free with
the comedy and l was prepared to
soothe him down if he turned peevish.
or grouchy over it. Kind of delicate
thing to joke. a man about, a face like
that. Might hurt his feelin's.
Tiff l could only find such
man." says Tupper, starin' at the floor
'Eh?" says l. You don't mean you
you don't try it?"
Yes says he, prompt 'Td try
anything that l thought would work.
l would even wear mask if 1 had a
chance of getting away with it. Why
not? Just because l was born with
the usual amount of brains and a mis-
fit face must l allow myself to be
beaten Look at Disraeli?"
| "Who?" says l, gawpin round.
"a homely little hunch-back Jew"
goes on Upper, who made himself
prime minister of England. Jay Gould
wasn't much to look at, either. And
think of Morgan's nose But they
succeeded. 1 don't know just how.
Probably each had his own method of
rising above his facial or bodily in
! firmitives. l must find mine for my
self and if l can do it by making use
of someone else, why should l hesi-
tate? But who? Where could | find
man who"
At which point I looks up to see
Swiftly Joe tryin' to make signals to
me through the gym door. '"WeI,
what now?" l asks.
"That Hilton party" says he. Hes
still waitin"
"Oh, pardon mel" cuts in Upper.
Didn't realize you had anyone wait
ing to-"
Don't worry" says l. 'Tt's only
Bill Hilton, and the longer 1 put off
seem him the better for my roll"
Tupper mods. Comes to negotiate
non-interest bearing loan, eh?" he
asks.
"Also non-collectable," say I. "And
between you and me have about as
much invested in Bill as I care to
sink"
whats the chief trouble?" asks
Tupper.
I