Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-29
Meet Mr.. and Mrs. Bisbee and the
Princess, and You Mill Never FORGET
THEM. This Is One of the Years Best
Stories Of the o. Henry Memorial
A7card Selections-W,1ten by an Author
Nell Ku0zvu TO americans.

-VHE genial young clerk at the mail win
dow of the hotel glanced at the badge
on Mr. Bisbee's coat and at the card
bearing his forwarding address
Then you're leaving us before the
end Of the convention, Mr.. Bisbee?" he re-
marked In a tone of polite regret.
"Yes," Mr.. Bisbee replied. We've got through
cur important business, and can't hang around
till Saturday just for the pleasure of riding
back on the special. I'm busy man." He
raised his chest slightly and thrust down his
chin, making little pouch of it between the
pointed wings of his collar.
Where you going, Bisbee?" The shout came
from Mr. Sackett of the Sackett Thompson Co.
Been counting on talk with you going home"
my loss, Mr.. Sackett, my loss, I'm sure"
He liked to be called "Bisbee" by Mr.. Sackett
a dignifed and responsible merchant, whose
badge showed him to be vice president OF the
National Retail Silverware and Jewelry Asso-
citation of America.
when my friends urged me to wait over
he continued as they stood in the warm sun
light beside the taxcab, II said had to 60
account Of important business, but don't mind
telling you that there isn't any particular bus-
ness taking me- I'm in position to do pretty
much as please; my right-hand man, Charley
Dcegler runs the store first-rate;but when
founded the business, nearly 26 years ago, I
laid down the policy that I wouldn't ask any
employe to do what wouldn't do myself. They
get two weeks vacation every Summer, so that's
all take
Good sound policy" commented Mr., Sackett.
I'm glad to hear you say So" said Mr.. Bis
bee. shaking hands before stepping into the
taxi 1.-THE approval of a merchant Of your
standing and experience is all the more graft
flying because, as matter of fact, there's been
some opposition to my policy"
THE opposition Of which he spoke was not, as
his auditor may have supposed, CONNER
cial but domestic; as he drove toward the sta
ton he recalled nournfully his last alteration
on the subject with his wife and his daughter
Pauline For some time they had been nagging
at him to take them abroad, contending that
in these days it was as disgraceful not to have
been abroad as not TO own q motor, and his
statement that his two weeks vacation policy
made such . trip impossible they contemptu-
Ously brushed aside. .'.....' 80.
"The truth s,". his wife had told him scorn-
fally,, you don't want to go anywhere except
to your deadly conventions. If you'd 60 to a
: place like Paris and look around . little you'd
find out Why people like the Murchisons and
the Rathhones don't trade with you"
Her mention Of the Murchisons and the Rath-
bones the city'S most important families. acted
as o red rag upon whatever bull-hke QUALITIES
may have been contained In Mr.. Bisbees ma
tMre. :. e. ..- !. -, ..., -. .....
:.Iet me ten you, stella he replied deeply
moved. If those nabobs had the local pride
they'd ought to have, they would trade with me.
.,"Oh, forget i'll" Mrs. Bisbee gave Nocking
laugh you'll never get their trade, my little
man. You're always telling folks this towns
plenty good enough for you, and you never
spoke q truer word You're stick-in the mud,
= that's what you are-just plain stick-in-the-
mud" 49,. :; =. 49,.
At intervals in their q years of married life
Mr. Bisbee had been struck with amazement at
his wifes faculty for completely misunderstood
ing him, but never before had she made
charge so Supplying. Stick-in-the-mud! He,
of all people, q stick-in-the-mud! He, whom
the Daily Sentinel had mentioned among the
city's captains Of industry, the largest retail
silverware and jewelry merchant In the South
eastern part Of the State! ,,- .,...~ -,..
After lunch Mr. Bisbee went TO the rear OF
= the train and, finding the observation platform
crowded, kept close watch and was first to the
door when presently seat was vacated.
The empty place was between an old gentle
man wearing a round felt hat and lady whose
chair stood in the sheltered corner. Had he been
asked to describe her, he might have said that,
without resembling her, she made him think OF
a younger, handsomer edition Of Mrs. Emory
Rathbone, and Mrs. Emory Rathbone be 1t
noted, was famous in her youth as one Of the
beautiful Perry girls Of Cleveland.
Such an association would have sufficed to
make him family fearful of this lady, even If
he had not glmpsed, as he approached, neck
Aace evidently not intended to be seen. II the
pearls as at first glance they appeared to be,
were genuine, the necklace was Of fabulous
1alue, and the fact that she concealed 1t be-
meath her dress lent color to this theory.