Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1920-03-11
CHAPTER II.-contlnued.


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'H get K9ur share of 1t too
believe me! I've got a sneaking sus-
picion that you and can do business
together. Want to consider it?'
''Al this on such short acquaint-
ance? Aren't you taking q fearful
CHANGER"
Harmon saw that the young mans
irises were extremely luminous and
clear; he leaned forward seriously.
"Pm simply backing my hunch son. 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 rOttencst salesman In the whole
United States; l wouldn't hire your
experience without some references,
and maybe a surety company back of
you but I'd hire that face of yours,
and your manner, and your voice off
hand. I'd hire your front-not your
past 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 Wen?
The young man was thoughtful and
unblinking.
you're actually making me prop
osition, are your"
olutely''-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 1t. It's
your next moye.H
The Scnng mans lips parted in
grave good humor; Harmon was spell |
bound at the effect
"Tll try not to keep you waiting
This speed of yours rather entlces me. |
Besides, If my face is my fortune, I'd |
better find it out as soon as possible. |
This organization of yours Is in New
York city. isn't it?"
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 burn. Can't swing it,
somehow-they don't respond to any
ordinary selling talk; they're too hide
bound conservative. You know the
for year or so they've been making
wa 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 a chap
like you--confound itW He halted
abruptly and shook his head In great
81 can't make it out
at all! You've got the appearance of
a well, sort of strait-laced
youngster. If you know what l mean,
and yet the way you say things, I"
The young man gestured blandy.
"And the town you have in mindf"
'Its Syracuse, New York"
"Svracuse?" The young mans chin
was squared by a ruler, and noticeably
thrust forward.
Eyes; know anybody there?"
Hillard laughed unpleasantly and
resumed his former attitude.
"Why It so happens" he said, bit
Inc the words off sharply, "that | was
born and brought up in Syracuse, and
II there's any one place In the world
I cnre less about than any other place
thot's the one I'm sorry, but
I'm afraid we're at cross purposes
from here on"
Harmon showed his vexation.
whats the matter? Haven't you kept
on good terms with your old friendST
mo"
Harmon frowned.
swell Is II so bad you couldn't do
my business there? How do they re-
member your"
The young man regarded him ston-
IL for an instant: then gradually n
'ar-away expression crept into his !
,yes: he started and caught his {
,reath.
an let you judge for Yourself" He
out II fiat leather wallet, from I
which he extracted tiny photograph, !
orn from an old passport. what do
,ou think OF that?"
Harmon scanned II specifically. c
"Ntcc.lookIng boy. Who Is hep" I
at was taken two years ago" said 1
IirInrd resting his elbows on the Il
able "You wanted to know how they
emember me, so I'm showing you. q
that's photograph of me, taken two t
ears ago" Y
"ImpossibleW Harmon snorted Il. e
That doesn't look any more like you n