Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1934-01-18
Salesman
futile
By JANE OSBORN
@ by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service

did not apply some one or another OF
his several principles Of craftsmanship,
and usually with perfectly satisfactory
results
One day when the name Of Dora
Scott came up between himself and
Dora's cousin, Fred Yates. in the lock-
er room of the Country club-and
Fred Yates remarked that there
wasn't man in Crofton or anywhere
else thereabouts who had ghost Of
q chance with Dora-Howard simply
said: "Oh, is that so?' and having
locked away his golf bag and
sweater went off whistling.
The truth was that Howard had
definitely made up his mind to ask
Dora to be his wife.
Thinking of Dora, Howard had a
deep desire simply to fall on his knees
before her, tell her Of his consuming
love for her, humble something about
his unworthiness and implore her pity.
But that, as Howard reflected, would
be the worst sort of craftsmanship.
So. instead Of going directly to see
Dora that afternoon as he had thought
Of doing, he drove slowly along Sc
cluded road that led out beyond the
golf course and figured the situation
out. He had told Dora he would ar
rive at four. Time enough would be
haf-past. It frequently worked to
keep q prospect waiting.
As Howard had figured 1t out there
were some six sorts Of prospects.
With some the best craftsmanship con-
sisted Of rather noisy enthusiasm
concerning the goods to be sold. With
others the best procedure was to Gre
ate the impression that something
was to be had for practically nothing.
Others had to be put into good mood
AN expensive lunch and show usu-
ally did the trick. Howard tried to
think Of Dora simply as a prospect.
Finally he cubbyholed her in the last
of his six classifications-the sort Of
people who never want a thing un-
less they feel that it is almost impos-
sible to get.
Dora was waiting for Howard on
the shady veranda of her fathers
house when he drove up. He sat
down beside her and paid her an off
hand compliment or two-nothing too
personal, of course. Then he talked
about golf, about the weather, about
the last dance, about some of the
other girls in Crofton.
"The thing like about you-or one
Of the things, should say" re-
marked Howard, sis that you SO OBJ
viously have no idea Of marrying. It
seems to cramp a girls style If she is
always considering the men she knows
as possible husbands"
II don't see why it should" said
Dora rather resentfully. "Only, of
course. I can't imagine considering
any man as a possible husband. Most
men are impossible-but when a girl
meets the man she feels she-she real
ly likes-I don't see why she shouldn't
think of him seriously"
"But then you never could think of
me seriously" said Howard, looking
off through the honeysuckle vines that
shielded the veranda from the lawns
beyond. 'And perhaps it's just as
well that you couldn't. You see, 1
don't suppose 1 shall ever marry-at
least none Of the sort of girls meet
here in CrOfton."
"No?" said Dora; and Howard lis
tening with what he thought was per-
fectly concealed intentness did not
know whether she was really indiffer-
ent or only wanted to appear so.
"You see have to consider my fam
lily. I'd have to be sure the girl
married would be congenial-and the
girls here wouldn't. My people are
very strict-old-time Yankees. So If
I ever marry, I'll have to find some
prim little school ma'am who doesn't
smoke or dance or drive q fast car
or"
"Well, I don't SMOKE" said Dora.
! "Only because you don't like It,"
said Howard. "Dora, you are very
charming girl but you are about as
far removed from my mothers ideas
Of daughter-in-law as any girl could
be; so it's just as well you wouldn't
have me anyway"
Dora was laughing to herself softly.
"You1l have to think of some 9TH
er excuse" she said. Because 1 know
your mother and she likes me. You
see last summer when I was staying
in New England knew some people
who knew your people and well, I went
to see your mother. asked her not
to tell you about 1t. She approves
of me perfectly. I even write to her
and keep her posted about what you
are doing. She said she hoped you'd
marry" Dora turned her head and
said so low that Howard could hard
" hear, "she said she hoped you'd
marry me-"
"But Of course, you wouldn't think
Of me that way" said Howard, for
getting his craftsmanship completely.
"Of course, would, silly" said
Dora. "If I hadn't been thinking of
you that way almost from the first
time ever met you why do you think
made an excuse to 60 to New Eng
II