The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1922-07-06
Alan's Business
Opportunity
By WINIFRED DUNBAR


Copyright. 1922, Western Newspaper Union.
A nod or a shake of the head was
the inyariable rule with John Dor
sett in business dealings. Just now
he had applied these definite tactics
in a transaction of love.
"You won't consider 1t, Mr.. Dor
sett?' almost plaintively Intercepted
his visitor, Alan Barrett.
Again the shake Of the head, and
the keen old merchant drew some pa
pers across the desk as If to indicate
that the incident was closed and that
he wished to get back to his own per
sonal business.
The younger man seemed dreadful
ly depressed and hopeless.
"Why can't l have your daughter
Mr. DOrsett?" he demanded.
you will have it out with me, will
your inquired bluff, almost cruel
John Dorset. "Well, I'll tell you. My
daughter Blanche has been used to
luxury. What have you to offerl"
81 have fairly good position, $10,-
900 invested in bonds and some inner
itance prospects"
Bah !" rallied the old tyrant. "Your
cash would just about cover the kind
of a wedding my Blanche must have.
As to the rest Of it-waiting for dead
mans shoes is poor business. It's
the man I'm looking at-no No. 5h
hat wearer for my son-in-law l don't
care how poor he may be, for l have
plenty Of money, and to spare, but
he's got to have business sense. He's
got to do something worth while,
which would show that with mature
years he would be a business success"
81 am doing my full duty In the hum
BILE position l occupy" declared Alan
rather Indignantly.
"Then make some opportunities out
side Of 1t to show your mettle," ad-
yised the merchant.
Ting-a-ling-lingi
There was an interruption. Mr.,
Dorsett picked up the telephone re-
ceIyer. Some urgent call summoned
him to another part of the building
He made such haste that he neither
asked Alan to go nor stay. Alan sat
staring vaguely at full-page adver-
tisement In daily paper. 1t an
nounced that Dorset & Co. would
present II by 20lnch American flag
free to each visitor of the next day (;
that following was patriot local
holiday. This was one of the catch
trade opportunities that had built up
the great mercantile house.
Tlng-a-llng ling
Again the telephone. There was no
one to reply Alan hesitated. Then
he picked up the receiver.
Dorset & Co.2-yes. This Is the
Eastern Central freight house. Car
Of twenty thousand flags, shipped from
Springfield to you, derailed and burned
up last night. Have notified the ship
pers, Continental Flag Co."
"Hellow calculated Alan this
seems to be one of Mr.. Dorsett's big
opportunities sldetracked! What will
he do now? Sa-ayw
He called up Springfield and the
Continental Flag company. Could they
ship per express on quick order TWEEN
ty thousand II by 20 American fags7
Thought not Large order sold day
before and stock rather low. Would
look up stock and odd lots, however.
Then later. Yes, could make up the
order. Then ship to-and Alan gave
his address
Alan went straight back to the office
Of the prospective father-in-law.
"Why, Alanw
He found Blanche at the office She
seemed fearful, as II she had been
pleading with her hard-hearted father.
The latter scowled fearfully at Alan,
jabblng telegram before him with
pen.
"Well, young man." he growled, 81
see you're here again2" and then he
turned to speak to his manager whom
he had evidently just sent for.
See here, Barnes" he said sharply,
exhibiting the telegram from Spring
field. IAN those flags we ordered
burned up in wreck. Get your men
out at once, no matter what the pay.
we must have the flags we advertised.
Dorset 4 Co. never yet failed In
promise 20 the people, They mustn't
do II now"
Il doubt II you can pick up five hun
dred IN the whole market submitted
the manager.
zone word, Mr.. Dorset" broke In
perhaps | can help you out In
your dilemma"
Your
Yves, sir, | have twenty thousand
II by 20 flags for sale"
What are you doing with twenty
thousand fags7" demanded the
amazed merchant.