The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1922-06-05
CHAPTER SIT
Copyright, 1890. King Features. Syndi-

CHAPTER SIT
Copyright, 1890. King Features. Syndi-
cate, Inc.
Just as was leaving my office to go
home and freshen up for the dinner
to which I'd begun to wish I'd never
invited Carl Booth, the telephone
rang. I answered with vague irrita-
ton because I'd not left at the same
time Miss May departed SO I wouldn't
be there to bother with the telephone
call.
"A. L. Harrison" I said in my most
lifeless business tone.
The Star advertising office speak
ing" came back with equal inper-
sonality. rs Mrs. Harrison there ?"
"At the telephone"
Mrs. Harrison. we're sorry to trou-
BILE you. but the Derringforth Shoe
account hasn't paid a cent and we've
we ordinarily do. The business is
done though you. and as it's probably
escaped your attention, we thought it
best to tell you that we can't con-
tinue to handle this account unless
it is paid"
1 felt myself prickle out into goose
flesh at the words. The Star is our
best medium for the campaign on
which Mr.. Derringforth and I had
ought to begin to show very soon.
For Mr.. Derringforth's sake this ad-
vertising must go on. For nv own
well I can't afford to let him slide
farther down hill just when 1 feel that
I've really boosted him bit up the
slope.
1 set my teeth and replied suaveIy:
THE account should have been
listed in my name Will you see that
the change is made? And If you will
mail me bill tomorrow
I stopped there suggestively, hop
ing that the Stars clerical force had
gone for the night and that they
couldn't get at their books to make
out a statement. Even while was
speaking it had flashed into my mind
that they might suggest stating the
amount of our Indebtedness over the
telephone. Then I'd have to say my
books were closed for the day and
manage to get a little time-at least
until tomorrow.
THE bill is ready. We were only
questioning where it should be sent
May we have your assurance that 1t
will be met at once? Otherwise I'm
afraid that we can't carry the Der
ringforth copy tomorrow" insisted
the voice of doom from the other end
of the wire.
when shall I mail your check ?"
asked smoothly, but with the goose
flesh prickles doing business at the
same old stand and making my spine
feel like gigantic icicle.
Tomorrow, if it isn't too much
trouble
mot at ALL" said easily.
This is a great relief, Mrs. Hair
rison. We hated to put the matter
in the hands of a COLLECTOR
"a collector!'' I cried hotly.
when the advertising hasn't been
running a month! You are in need
of your money. aren't you?"
After the words were out realized
that they had the effect of a studied
insult and couldn't help antagonizing
the men with whom I was dealing
What was my establishment, therefore,
to have him reply with the utmost
good nature:
Seems like that on the evidence
you have. doesn't it? Well, we aren't
doing any such piker business, Mrs.
Harrison. But you know newspaper
payrolls are made UP once a week,
and we like our debtors to act on
rapid-turn-over schedule like our own
But, as matter of fact, we have been
carrying the Derringforth account for
some months past. They advertised
in our Sunday supplement long before
your daily campaign started"
Are you sure?'' asked, remem-