Twenty Years of Hus'ling
as I had gotten the impression that she was much younger.
The instant I saw the style of person I had to deal with, it occurred to
me that a little stratagem might be worth several hundred dollars to me,
if properly directed, just at that particular time. Without a moment's
reflection, and before she had time to offer me a chair, I stepped back
as if greatly amazed, and said:
"Miss ----, I never was more surprised--I never saw anything like it--I
can't believe my own eyes--it seems like a dream."
"What do you mean?"
"Why, do you know, you are the exact image of a young lady I was once
engaged to; and she died on the very day set for the wedding. I never
saw anything like it!"
I then told her my name and business. She had often heard her brother
speak of such a wholesale jewelry house; and I could see that she was on
her guard, and probably knew more than she intended to convey. Convinced
of this, I felt certain that I had made a good beginning, and that the
first thing for me to do was to pour love into her ear, and win her over
to my side if possible. So I returned to my former subject without
delay, and after repeating the statement that she was the image of my
deceased love, I told her that she was the first and only person I had
ever met since that sad day, who interested me.
She smiled serenely, and did not seem displeased.
I next asked her if she was married.
She was not, and declared there was no favorable prospect.
I replied that perhaps her prospects were better than she supposed.
She smiled again, and seemed even less displeased than before, and moved
her chair nearer mine.
I then began talking at a rapid rate, giving her no chance whatever to
express herself, and directing my remarks in a way that would cause her
to think I matrimonially inclined. By this time she had finished chewing
off one corner of her apron and had tackled the other. Her eyes were
fairly dancing with delight.
Her cheeks had flushed considerably, and she seemed at a loss to know
what to do with her brawny hands and ponderous feet.
I quickly observed that my scheme was working to a charm and continued
my love-making, asserting myself boldly; then to test her feeling in the
matter, I asked her to express herself freely, without hesitation, as I
didn't care to have my affections trifled with.
Then drawing her chair nearer mine, she remarked, in her most
fascinating manner, that the only feller she ever did like had red hair
and a large red moustache; then, having finished up the apron, she
blurted out:
"How many times you ben married? Mebbe you got one or two wives neow."
"For gracious' sake! do you think I look as though I'd ever been
married? I guess I'll leave."
"Well, I don't know's you do; but you look like you'd make an awful nice
man."
She moved her chair still closer to mine.
I now thought it the proper time to spring a little tragedy on her.
Suddenly changing the subject by referring to the late jewelry firm's
failure, I confidentially informed her of my great loss. Then I jumped
to my feet, and a moment later began prancing around the room, raving
like a maniac. After that I related to her how I had placed confidence
in those scoundrels, and as my loss was so severe unless I should be
fortunate enough to get my goods back, I would soon be a ruined man
financially.
Her sympathies were at once aroused, and she began to show signs of a
desire to say or do something in my behalf, when suddenly she changed
her mind and became silent. I talked more love, and immediately got
another spell on, and pranced around but a few times when she made a
dash for me; and as I caught her before she had time to make a complete
fall, she straightened up, and placing her hands on my shoulders, said:
"Mr. Johnston, dare I tell you what I know?"
"Yes, you dare."
"Well, I'll tell you something; but please don't give me away."
I assured her that her name would never be mentioned. So she told me
that I would find several packages of jewelry and watches in the bureau
drawers, at the house of a certain family then in town. Her brother had
told her this. I thanked her, and would have kissed her had she not been
so beastly homely.
I bade her good-bye, promising to return soon, and started for my
lawyer's office, consoling myself as I went with the thought that an
hour and a half courtship would not be likely to break her heart or
drive her crazy, when she should learn the facts of the case.
After detailing to the lawyer the information I had gained, we decided
to proceed to a Justice of the Peace and get out a search warrant for
the goods and a State warrant for the arrest of the ex-manager. My legal
adviser explained to me that the searching of a person's residence
without finding what we were after, might result seriously, as the owner
could enter suit against me for damages.
While I was not desirous of getting into trouble by such procedure, I
was nevertheless anxious to procure my goods, and determined to risk it.
While the lawyers were making out the papers I went to the hotel, and
while there, was called upon by the ex-manager, who apparently realized
that there was something in the wind, and showed plainly that he was
nervous and excited.
He asked my intentions, telling me he would aid me all he could in
finding the former proprietor.
I requested him to accompany me to the Justice's office; and there I
showed him the warrants, and told him they would be ready to serve in
about one minute. As we had an officer present to serve the papers, he
began to feel himself getting into close quarters. So calling me to one
side he asked if I would be willing to drop the matter if he would turn
over to me eleven hundred dollars' worth of goods.
"I'll take fifteen hundred dollars' worth, and drop it; that amount will
pay me for all my trouble and expense."
"But I haven't got only thirteen hundred and fifty dollars' worth. I'll
give you all I have, and the stock consists of the choicest line of
solid gold jewelry and watches."
I accepted his offer, of course. The goods were as he represented, the
very choicest line of watches and jewelry.
I then selected a handsome present for my new girl, and returned with
it to her house. Before letting her know just how I had fooled her, I
determined to ascertain, if possible, the whereabouts of the former
proprietor of the store, as I wanted a bill of sale from him fearing
that the ex-manager's title might not be good, and the acceptance of a
bill of sale from him would be taking chances.
Upon arriving at the girl's house I told her of my success, and asked if
she would not see her brother at once, and try and get the information
desired. She surprised me by saying that her brother had left the house
but a few moments before, and had told her that the man I wanted was at
Salina, Kansas. I then surprised her by the information of the fact that
I had been playing detective.
After assuring her that no one in town knew or should know from what
source I got my information, I atoned for all the deception used, and
for what prevaricating I had done, by handing her the gift of jewelry,
which made her eyes fairly pop out of her head. She seemed to have
instantly forgotten all about our previous love-making, which convinced
me that she was better satisfied with the present than she would have
been with me.
On my way home I stopped off at Clyde to visit my folks, staying one
night. I carried the watches and jewelry with me; and having telegraphed
that I was coming, Mr. Keefer met me at the train with a horse and
carriage, and we took the goods to the house. I had a nice visit with
the old folks and my little son; and after showing them the watches and
jewelry, related the incidents of my trip, how I got possession of the
goods, and "just how it all happened."
My mother said she had always thought I would make a better detective
than anything else. Mr. Keefer said "it did beat the devil."
That night we reviewed the past eighteen years, with much interest. We
recalled the many ups and downs I had met with; and my parents
congratulated me, not only on the pluck and energy I had persistently
shown, but also for being able to stand prosperity.
Mr. Keefer repeated what I had often heard him say years before, that
"he knew I'd make it win some day." He said he had always contended that
as long as I kept from spending money foolishly, and only lost it in
trying to make money, that I must certainly some day profit by my
experience, and come out ahead.
He evinced great interest in my affairs by wanting to talk continually
with reference to my business, and would converse about nothing else the
whole evening.
My mother didn't know what to say.
On my arrival home I wrote to the Salina, Kansas, man, telling him that
I had a lot of goods in my possession turned over to me by his
ex-manager; and unless he came on to Chicago within five days, and gave
me a bill of sale for them, I would have him brought back by officers.
He came, and did as I requested.
This late experience, in connection with several other large losses I
had sustained through the sales of traveling agents, convinced me more
than ever that my business was being constantly jeopardized by their
carelessness in conducting sales.
I had for some time been figuring on an original plan of advertising, by
which I felt certain of success. So I decided to call my agents in and
discharge them. Then I began at once to spend time and money liberally
in advertising. The result was that my business grew rapidly, and to
such an extent that I was compelled to increase my force of clerks, and
to keep renting and adding on more room every few months, till at
present I employ a very large force of help, and occupy ten times as
much room as when I first commenced at my present location, and am
supplying jewelry to the leading merchants in all parts of the United
States.
When I called my agents in to discharge them, with a view to
experimenting with my advertising scheme, Bert, (who by this time had
become thoroughly sophisticated, and had proved himself a competent and
trustworthy young man,) said that, as he had laid up a few hundred
dollars, he would like to buy goods from me and sell for himself, the
same as I had done, and the same as Albert was then doing. I agreed to
sell to him on similar terms.
He began at once, and was very successful--so much so that on the first
of January of the present year he also opened an office of his own in
the same building where I am located; he buys direct from the
manufacturers, and conducts a wholesale business for himself. So much
for the unsophisticated country lad who had pluck and energy enough to
strike out upon the world, and aim for something better than a
clerkship in a country store.
Dr. Frank was still traveling for me when I ordered the agents in, and
was the last to respond, being about three days late. When I inquired
the reason, he replied that the last man he called upon to collect from
had shown a disposition to get out of paying the bill; and as that was
to be his last chance, he concluded to stay till he got either the
fellow's scalp or the amount due me. He got the latter. He then remarked
that while traveling through Dakota he had found a quarter-section of
Government land which he had taken as a homestead. He then returned
there.
The following fall who should turn up again but Dr. Frank, from Pierre,
Dakota, and on arriving here found himself "broke." He called on me and
said:
"Now, Johnston, you were the first to get me mixed up in this Doctor
business, and but for our experience in setting the old woman's ankle