The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-10-15

NAON1@A y
seem to get me anywhere"
"How's that?" says l, gawpin' at
him.
81 still look like fivver, don't I?'
he demands.
why" says l, stallin' around, 81
don't know as you do"
That's charitable of you, Shorty,
at least, says he "But every time
l meet stranger / feel that I am
making poor impression. l can tell
by the way they look at me. Oh, yes,
1 can. Especially if it is someone l
have had correspondence with. They're
isappointed, and show it. Why, see
here, Shorty; within the last three
months I've lost out on two big deals
that 1 thought had all sewed up,
simply because the men thought /
didn't look the part"
"Ah, you might have imagined it,"
/ suggests.
Upper shakes his head. NO."
says he. "The last experience made
the case too clear. You know what
my line is, / suppose-motor stocks.
] place new issues, get 'em underwrit-
ten, have 'em listed. And if 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 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
Their man the next day. So you see?'
you think it was just your looks
queered you, eh says I.
"It isn't a flattering thing to admit, "
avs he, but think exactly that. Pm
sure, in fact And tomorrow-well, l
suppose it will be the same old story
] 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
or a month and have all the details
ractically settled. All but signing the
papers. / 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 a
conference in my Office, and if they
are like the others-well, know what
that means. can just picture the way
they will act after they've had their
first look"
He's so frank about it 1 can't help
indulgin' in grin. why not put
on a SUBJ" suggests.
"What?" says he, starin' at me.
Get an understudy who does look
the part" says I.
"By George" says he, rubin his
Ihalf-portion chin thoughtful.
"Some big imposin' guy" l goes on,
chucklin.'
Course, had no idea he was takin'
my josh serious. In fact, I wasn't
sure but I'd been little too free with
the comedy and I was prepared to
soothe him down if he turned peevish.
or grouchy over it. Kind of delicate
thing to joke man about, face like
that Might hurt his feelin's.
cliff l could only find such a
man." says Upper, starin' at the floor.
"Eh?" says l. "You don't mean you
you don't try it?"
EYES," says he, prompt. "Pd try
anything that l thought would work.
l would even wear mask if had a
chance of getting away with it. Why
not? Just because l was born with
the usual amount of brains and mis-
fit face must / allow myself to be
beaten Look at Disraeli?"
"Who?" says I, 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. l don't know just how.
Probably each had his own method of
rising above his facial or bodily in
| firmitives. 1 must find mine for my
self and if 1 can do it by making use
of someone else, why should l hest.
tate? But who? Where could / find
man who"
Ar which noint I lonks I'm IN COO