Smyrna times., 1925-06-24
Selling the
Earth
By J. R. MCCARTHY

For Peter knew what was inside.
Peter had decided day before yester-
day, when Miss TuttlesOn rented that
desk, that he must make a good i'm
preston upon her.
So far he had failed miserably. Why
did all bill collectors have such aggres-
sive manners and such loud voices? 1t
was intOlerable. The real estate busi-
ness was bad enough at best, Peter
decided. His slogan, Peter Wrenn
Sells the Earth" seemed u huge joke.
Peters nice new paper knife slid
through the top Of the offending en-
velope. A bill for advertising.
Mr. Wrenn"
YES, Miss TuttlesOn."
He hadn't time to talk with Miss !
Tuttleson, yet here she was making |
him sit down and seemingly preparing |
for d long talk. He was due In
exactly thirty minutes to call for Doc
tor Green and take that gentleman out
| into Orange county to look at ranch.
| OF course he must rent a car. Peter
| knew he wouldn't sell the ranch, but
| in justice to himself he knew he must
make the effort.
| But Miss TuttlesOn was speaking
DO you know" she asked, ''where l
can get a decent price for my carp
Peter Wrenn's ears pricked up. The
delectable young lady continued:
Secondhand cars seem to be flooding
the market. If l knew someone per;
sOnally who wanted a car, l wouldn't
mind selling for half what it's worth"
How much should you get for itY'
I'D take $500 even, but it's worth
5000 easily, Mr.. Wrenn. l know that"
"Then why sell it?' blundered Peter.
Miss Tuttleson smiled. well" she
said, Il won't need it any more. I'm
going out of business, you know"
isn't the advertising business good
here?" he blundered.
"Oh, It's good enough, l guess, when
you've made a reputation. I've had an
offer I'm going with an agency. Oh,
, Mr.. Wrenn," she leaned forward, so
: that none Of the thrifty Mr. Gains
other business tenants might hear,
2 don't you know someone who will buy
that car? l simply must have the
money"
In the strength Of inspiration Peter
Wrenn forgot for the moment that Miss
TuttlesOn had been hearing the
threats Of a dozen bill collectors dl
. rected against him. why he an
nounced grandly, Il need car; III
buy it."
"That will be fine, Mr.. Wrenn. Dc
you want to try It out?"
u Mr.. Wrenn did want exactly that
n and ten minutes later he was driving
Il gaily up to Doctor Green's rather for
T NAL abode. "a darn shame" though
e Peter, much more cheerful than hi
n words, that a girl like Miss Tuttlesol
n should have to sell her car and take
Fl petty job" But her troubles did no
l. bother Peter greatly, while his Ow
W misfortune annoyed him not at al
J. For he had quite changed his min
a about whether or not Doctor Gree
should buy the ranch.
Three hours later the blunt DOctC
Green broke out with, 100000? To
much I'll give you $95O00."
q SO It was that Doctor Green n
mained on the front steps of his ne
D. ranch house, smoking a herculean pip
u while Peter Wrenn, having sold th
J. earth, and having a gOOdly check in h
G pocket drove directly to the Office
e, his client, the previous owner of Il
r ranch. Then to the bank, escrow d
DG partment.
y. "A little advance?" requested h
IL client.
a "Yes," said Peter, "Say about tho
10 sand" And he got 1t!
ut Then back to the thrifty Mr.. Cain
ch roOmful Of rented desks. Miss Tuttl
ne son looked up at him queerly.
d. thought he saw wetness in the cOrne
ar Of her eyes.
by "Fine car" said Peter brlskly. 81
ed take It," Peeling off not three but $
ne One-hundred dollar bills from
,e, brand-new roll, he laid them befO
Is. her and stepped jauntily to his des
,rs There was an envelope. Pet
he opened it. your balance due" t
In diplomatic note read, is $84.60. o
at Mr. Collins will call at 2 80 tOmOrrO
he win you kindly have a check reat
er and your adv. for Saturdays News
ed Peter glanced at his watch. T
a o'clock. He turned to Miss Tuttles
of to find her weeping real tears and lO
le- ing from the new banknOtes to him q
III, back again.
I'd Miss TuttlesOn," Peter Wrenn cal
ad airily, "a representative Of the Ne
he will be here in half an hour for my
ca vertisement. VIII you, in your OffiC
,es capacity, prepare my copy? Here
ms my own previous efforts" And
sill placed pile of clippings on her de
Miss Tuttleson smiled acqulesce
in her best professional manner.
her words weren't professional at
"My name is Mary" was what