Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-07-17
Valuable Idea of
Young Durrow
By JACK WooDFoRD
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(@ by Mcclure Newspaper syndicat6.l
(WNU Service) ...

Ncl Dy mcclure NEWSPAPER SynulChtost
(WNU Servlce)
ssTHERE'S a very bright young
:. man in the outer office that I'd
like you to meet" Mr.. Simpkins said
to Durrow, who was frowning daggers
at last months balance sheet. Simp-
kins knew that Durrow must be ire
mendously pleased with the balance
sheet he always frowned like that
when he was pleased. When he looked
blank and mild-then 1t was time to
look for one of those sarcastic inter-
jections that meant somebody's job.
"Seen enough bright young men,"
Durrow grOwled. "Got one at home.
A silly, good-for-nothing freak. And
all he can think of Is that l ought TO
blow him to big income and let him
play for five years before he settles
down to business. Try to tell
him that 1t took me years to learn this
business, and that his college educa'
tion isn't worth whoop without prac-
tical experience and he tells me too
many men don't get rich till they're
too old to enjoy 1t. What a philoso'
ply. Play when you're young and
work when you're old. Who ever
heard of such thingw
SWELL" Simpkins mildly remarked,
"thls, sir, Is not that kind of young
man. He's the one, in fact, respOn'
sible for the fact that we're showing
an increased balance sheet this month,
despite the depression, while every
other furniture establishment In the
city is in the red"
"What do you meanT roared Dur
row.
"You see, sir we've been in
structed not to bother you with detail,
but to get results; so |, as sales man
ager, went ahead and got results. But
must confess that were It not for
this young man and his suggestion
I've offered him a permanent position
in my department, but he has declined,
and asks only to meet you. You see,
he went to all the well situated vacant
stores he could find in town, and got
options on their windows, until such
time as the stores were rented. lie
got the Chamber of Commerce to back
him, on the theory that vacant stores
were very embarrassing reminder
of business depression, and would look
better If they had something in their
display windows anyway; sort of gave
the town cheerful air. The young
man rented the store windows for
next to nothing, representing that
display would draw the attention Of
people; and once their attention had
been drawn toward how nice the store
looked with its window trimmed, 1t
might be easier to find tenant. He
came to me with these options, and Of
fered to rent this firm all of this win
dow display space in vacant stores all
over town. thought 1t was a splen-
did as well as cheap means Of ad-
vertising We sent single pieces or
whole sets of furniture to each of the
stores and got up tasty displays.
YOU'D be surprised how effective
1t was. OF course we put placards in
the store windows, to the effect that
the goods displayed were our furni-
ture; giving, naturally, our business
address, prices, our arrangement for
credit terms, etc. We traced thousands
of dollars worth Of sales direct to
those vacant store window displays.
1t would have cost US a ruinous sum
in advertising, In any other way, to
bring in the same sales. The young
man cleaned up, we cleaned up, and
now he wants to meet you"
"Nlcan to tell me an outsider got
rs ont Of our difficulties ~ Durrow
Numbered. But Mr.. Simpkins was not
fooled lie knew that Durrow was
tickled right down to the ground and
was dying to see the young man.
"Pll tell him you're too busy to see
him." Simpkins said smoothly.
"Tell him nothing of the kind 7"
Durrow snorted "Send him in"
When the young man was sent In,
Durrow rose from his desk. Fell
back into his chair. Rose again.
Beloved something.
"This is Mr.. Walter Smith," Slmp
kins said smoothly.
"'Waller smith," roared Durrow.
"YOu're crazy. It's Walter Durrow.
What sort of frameup have you two
been"
Walter grinned at Simpkins.
ale thinks it's frnmeup," Walter
told him. because just the other night
he told me couldn't make a thousand
dollars by honest means in a year !:
and when | said could. he told me
II did he'd give me ten for every
months out Of school He now owes
me twently.four thousand dollars"
"YOu fool !" Durrow rOared at Simp-
kins, you've cost me more than the
| profits on our balance sheet. Get out
of my sight" Simpkins beat a hasty
retreat.
Durrow stared ut his offspring al
most In apOplexy; hut the offspring
had understood that stare since child.
hood.
1t took Durrow four hours to recov-
er from the writing Of a check for
twenty-four thousand dollars; but
when he had, he sought SimpkIns.
There was the frown of a Gorgon on
his face. He showed open the door to
Slmpkin's Office with thrust that all
but took II Off Its hinges.
"Can you lmaglne!" he asked Slmp-
kins. handling him cigar, shat boys
'nheriting his fathers business ability
even in Spite Of his having a college
education Sent him Off to romp
awhile. Young fellow ought to enjoy
himself while he's young; plenty Of
time for sober work later on"
tprn.f-nt,. ,,srned AZ ctn,,l,t.s