Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1925-12-23
Running on
Reputation
By JACK WOODFORD
G.. 1926. Western Newspaper Union.)

fve-year-old boy had finished theirs
Opposite him, at the table. the little
boy was playing with the works out OF
an old alarm clock. Snatching away
the clock. he said, Grossly: "Do you
want to cut your fingers OFF,"
Dear" inserted his wife. mildly,
something's troubling you tonight
don't lose patience with the baby. just
because you're put out about SOME
thing"
Don't you understand said the
man irritably, that there is immense
power exerted upon some CT those cog
wheels; don't you know that il prop
erly geared up, the works out of an
old alarm clock would lift piano?
It's all a matter of gearing and lever
age. Suddenly the man stopped speak
ing and banged his fist upon the table
so that every dish upon it jumped an
inch. Grabbing his hat he hurried out
Not until morning did he return.
Morning, Honey" he sang out
cheerily as he entered the dining room.
and then added: 81 was grouchy last
night. Honey because old Milton and
your father were Raging me again
Your old man said when we got mar
ried--that I'd never get any more ac-
commodation at his bank as long as
| was in business here and"
Eyes, just because he wanted me to
marry that ffty-year-old Milton; why
I wouldn't"
Eyes, yes, but don't worry, dear. ]
think I've got them both going now.
though, just you wait. You see. yes
terday afternoon l was walking along
Main street, on the way to the shop.
when I passed Millions show rooms.
and what do you think he has up there
in his Window"
Another price cut on his cars?"
mo, the price of them Is boosted.
He's got up sign over one OF the
Parkway engines exposed to view right
close to the window, 1t reads:
"'Here is the Parkway engine: the
Parkway does not run on its reputa-
tion.'
"Of course. being the only other
automobile dealer in town. naturally.
And ! noticed people laugh
ing at me all day; you know there's
an old one about the Lord running on
its reputation Naturally everyone
takes 1t for Joke on me. What with
your father refusing to give me any
credit at the bank to keep a stock OF
cars on hand. and Milton poking fun
at the Lord car from morning till
night, was pretty blue last night,
especially as orders aren't coming In
as they should"
TITS a trick of fathers and Mr.. Mil
toms to make things hard for US !;
we'll move to some other town"
"We1l stay Fight here. and, let's see.
what was 1t that wise cracker said In
the last booklet from the factory. Oh.
yes: Early to bed, early to rise;
work like HI and advertise Well,
we're going to do the last mentioned
anyway-I've bought last years used
Parkway to advertise with"
"A Parkway to advertise with. Why.
what Arnold grinned.
"Never mind. you'll see-and rye
put new bearings In 1t; that's what
was working on last night. I've got
the bearings fixed up so smooth that
you can push it back and forth on the
garage floor like a perambulator."
But. dear. why not fix up a Lord
car to advertise with; you're selling
the Lord. you know. not the Pack
way"
Eyes, l know; but these are days
Of broad constructions. It's the fash
ion nowadays not to knock your COM
petitors' car, so I've put nice new
set Of bearings in this Parkway and
fixed 1t all up fine"
For several nights Arnold worked
late and long at the garage. And just
as it looked as though everything were
going along fine letter came from
the factory saying that no more cars
would be sent on consignment unless
signed orders could be exhibited for
them in advance. 1t looked like the
end Of the Lord agency In Delray. but
Arnold forced a smile and remem-
bered the last throw Of dice he had
left In the box; tomorrow. he reasoned.
I'll have plenty OF orders.
The following day down at the end
Of Main street little crowd began
to form. Far down the street some
thing could be seen moving very
slowly. The crowd began to laugh.
and then to cheer, for, making its way
along on the asphalt pavement. In a
leisurely but sure fashion came a
brand-new Lord car. and behind 1t at
tached on a tow rope a dilapidated
last-year's Packway car. The hood of
the Lord car had been removed. so
that all might see that there was no
engine inside. and up above the car
was a large sign bearing the legend.
Here We Go on Our Reputation"
Even Banker Thomas got the hui
NOR Of the thing and the factory wired
on for details concerning the unique
advertising stunt. Orders plenty
found thoir way intO the Lord agency