Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-04-09
CHAPTER lI.-continued.

II ne younger man EtuhESu NJ int
ea-d. my name is billiard. Well
Is competition SO keen you can afford
10 pay that high for business, or is
the stuff just hard to sell2'
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 I'm
II. and you'll get your share of 1t too
believe me I've got sneaking sus-
piclon that you and can do business
together Want to consider it?v
"All this on such short acqnalnt-
anee? Aren't you taking fearful
ehance?
Harmon saw that the young mans
irises were extremely luminous and
clear; he leaned forward seriously
''Tm simply backing my bunch, son. In
the long run It pays me-pays me
well. I've sort Of taken a fancy to
you. As far as | know you may be
the rottenest salesman Ia the whole
United States | 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 Well?"
No. hal a
unbilnking
you're actually making me prop
osition. ARE ycu?"
solutely'--Harmon' fist on the
table provided the exclamation point.
Here doa't know you, and you
don't know me. bur if you're hunting
FOR 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.
"Tll 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 che spe-
rial town in mind--up the state. That's
where this list is. It's always been
enc of our hardest markets, and it's
got money 10 burn. Can't swing IL,
s0mehow-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 EN- 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 chap
like you-eonfound itH He halted
abruptly and shook his head IN great
bewilderment. II can't make II out
at all! You've got the appearance of
We'll, a sort of a strait-laced
y1ungster II you know what | mean,
ard vet the way you say things. T."
The young man gestured blandy.
And the town you have In mind?"
ats Syracuse. New York"
"Syracuse?" The young mans chin
was squared by ruler and noticeably
thrust forward
Yes; know anybody there?"
Hil!lard laughed unpleasantly and
resumed his former attitude,
"Wny. It so happens" he said. Bit
ing the words of sharply "that / was
horn and Brought up In Syracuse. ana
Il there's any one place In the world
care less about thnn any other place
limits tl,e one I'm sorry. but
TN afraid We're M cross purposes
from here om"
Harmon showed hls vexation
whats the matterg Haven't you kept
en- good terms with your old friendSg"
no"
Harmon frowned
"Well is Il ~ bad YOU couldn't do
any business there? How 10 they re-
member your"
The young man regarded him ston.
ily for an instant; Their gradually a
far-awgy expression crept into his
eyes; he started and caught his
breath.
''Ill let you Judge for Yourself" He
brought out dat leather wallet, from
which he extracted tiny photograph.
torn from ar old passport. "What do
y0u think of that?"
Harmon scanned It superlcany.
"Nice-looking hoy. Who is heg"
''It was taken two years ago" said
billiard, resting his elbows on the
table. You wanted TO know how they
remember me- so I'm showing you.
That's a photograph Of me, taken two
years ago"
ImpOssiblew Harmon snorted Il.
s'nsAS doesn't look any mare IKE you