The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1920-04-09
CHAPTER lI.-continued.


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 Mt the second, but rallied
quickly.
Competition. But there's money in
ct. and you'll get your share of it too
believe mel! I've got sneaking sus-
plciOn that you and l can do business
together. Want to consider it?"
'Al this on such short acquaint-
snce? Aren't you taking a fearful
CHANGER
Harmon saw that the young mans
irlses were extremely luminous and
clear; he leaned forward seriously.
"Tm simply backing my bunch, son. In
the long run 1t pays me-pays me
well. I've sort of taken fancy to
you. AS far ~as 1 know you may be
the rotteneSt salesman in the whole
United States; I wouldn't hire your
experience without some references,
and maybe 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, l never made a trade as fast as
s 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"
bsolutely"-HarmOn's fist on the
table provided the exclamation point.
tHere-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 move"
The young mans lips parted In
grave good humor; Harmon was SPELL
bound at the effect.
9TH try not to keep you waiting.
This speed of yours rather entices 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?'
my headquarters are, but I'd want
you to work outside. I've got one spe-
clal 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 1t,
somehow-they don't respond to any
ordinary 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
Ia a place like that. They need chap
Alike you-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
a =. well, sort of a strait-laced
youngster, il you know what mean,
and yet the way you say things. +"
The young man gestured blandly:
sand the town you have In mind?'
SITS Syracuse, New York"
"Syracuse2" The young mans chin
was squared by a ruler, and noticeably
thrust forward.
ayes; know anybody thereT'
Hilliard laughed unpleasantly and
resumed his former attitude.
"Why, 1t so happens" he said, Bit
ing the words off sharply, "'that was
horn and brought up In Syracuse, and
IF there's any one place In the world
II care less about than any other place
that's the one I'm sorry, but
I'm afraid we're at cross purposes
from here on"
Harmon showed his vexation.
FWhat's the matter? Haven't you kept
en good terms with your old friends?"
mo"
Harmon frowned.
"Well, is 1t so bad you couldn't do
ANY business there? How do they re-
member your
The young man regarded him ston-
hiy for an instant; then gradually a
har-away expression crept into his
,leyes; ne. started and caught his
md tn: 49,
H,rosght out fat leather wallet, from
(which he extracted tiny photograph,
torn from an old passport. "What do
Won think of that?"s
Hsrmon scanned it specifically.
@Nice-loeking boy. Who is he?"
'.It was taken two years ago." said
n5llliard, resting his elbows on the
liable. 'You wanted to know how they
remember me, so I'm showing you.
lThat's photograph, of me. taken two
years ago."
Impossible 90 Harmon snorted it.
:'That doesn't look any more like you
THAN than dol Let's omit
1.-THE comedy; Tn talking business !"
The young mans mouth curied.
i.'Don't be mistaken, Mr.. Harmon
there's very little joking in me when
ever mention Syracuse" Harmon
Ishivered at the tone, but waved the
photograph in seoffing accusation.
you're not trying to sit there and
tell me-
Il told you l was in hospital for
nearly a year. / believe said billiard
.eiiy. ST was shrapnel- the
-<see As q matter of fact didn't
=