Evening star., 1925-09-05
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

mo, we have a vacuum cleaner, "
replied the house owner and occupant.
You have a vacuum cleaner?
namely asked the agent.
yes, we have very good vacuum
cleaner" retorted Smith, vaguely
aware of the fact that the conversa-
tion was silly.
Maybe"
mo, one Is enough" grinned Smith,
softly easing the door closed. He
jumped his way upstairs again. This
time he got paper into the old ma
chine, and was going through the
hardest task in the world-beginning
when the bell rang again.
Down to the door ran Smith.
might as well leave it open,' he
smiled to himself
Mister" began the tall, straw hat
ted chap, will you give me your
votes? / am representing the House
keepers Own Magazine, and every
subscription means two votes for me
so l can go to college next year"
That's very interesting" said
Smith, but we already take the
Housekeeper's Own Magazine
Then won't you extend your sub
scription, mister?''
mo, year at a time is enough.
Smith said. closing the door gently
but firmly.
Five minutes work, and then
Ting -a-ling.
Darn that bell" growled Smith.
Guess | had better go see who it is. -
He found on the doorstep another tall
fellow in "a straw hat
rs the lady of the house in?" asked
the man.
mo, she amt" forcibly although
ungrammaticalIy returned Smith.
Il represent the Ladies Knitting
Co, and ! have some fine new suits
TO show her" went on the agent
Maybe you would like to look at
Il would not" said Smith closing
the door.
BY noon Smith had been interviewed
by an old lady who said she was help
ing an old ladies' home, a 12-year-oid
boy selling scraggly looking flowers
badly in need of water, two hucksters
and two watermelon men.
Look at this nice watermelon. F"
said the first seller, displaying the
first real craftsmanship of the day.
1t did look fine, so Smith decided to
take a chance, after he had the man
plug the big fruit. While he went
back upstairs to get the change, how
ever the watermelon man switched
melons on him, a fact which Smith
did not perceive until the man was
gone around the corner.
The second watermelon man, it can
be imagined, got short welcome.
That's the trouble" said the second
seller of the luscious fruit. us hon
est fellows has to suffer on account of
them fellers.''
Smith feelingly joined in this senti.
ment as he threw his nice unripe
melon into the garbage can.
The first agent to call after lunch.
hastily improvised was a man selIin .
patent lighter for the gas range.
Got one" replied Smith. shutting
the door instantly He was getting
wise. He would show them Gosh,
Did his wife have to put up with this
every day. or was this just a big day
in the selling game?
Ting-a ling a-ling! The tall. straw
hated man was selling smooth top
plates for. the gas range this time.
Ours are smooth already" declared
Smith.
Ting-a-ling! A sweet, elderly lady
wanted to sell him some spices. Three
laundry solicitors tried to lure him
away from the laundry he had patron
lied for Is years.
Ting-a-ling a-ling-ling,
Say. mister. do you want
But Smith didn't stop TO find out
what 1t was the man wanted him to
buy. He put on his hat and went
down to the noisy office where he
could find some quiet.