HOME-TRADE CLUBS They Should Be Organized and Active in Every Community. PATRONIZE HOME MERCHANTS "The Great Danger to Local Interests That Are Found in the Mail order Systems—Educate the Public. (Copyrighted, MO6. by Alfred C. Clark) Why should we trade at home? "Why should we consider home in any •way more than any other place unless ;lt pays us financially? First, because ft is our home. The pride we should •take in the prosperity of our home 'town and our neighbors should be suf ficient inducement to give them the preference. Second, because beyond all doubt or question, it pays from a money point. The greatest menace to the country (merchant to-day is the mail order and with the decline of the •country merchant comes inevitable loss to the citizens of both town and • country. What at first was considered a great convenience and an exhibition •of commendable enterprise has grown <to bo one of the crying commercial •evils. The success of the mail order ; fiouse is the result of constant, ex tensive and intelligent advertising. It is not by persistent swindling as some tell us, for no business was ever built up in that way. The home merchant • can do no better than to adopt the same method, the judicious use of ink. While the merchants are the heav iest immediate losers, and could do Are you operating the tread mill to pour the wealth of your community 'into the bottomless hoppers of the mail-order house? Are you driving your iocal merchants out of business? If you are you are killing your town and your own interests. much toward chocking and correcting this growing evil, by liberal advertis ing and publishing prices, they should -not be expected to do it all. Every newspaper should preach home trade, •every teacher should instil it into his pupils in the school room, every min ister should preach it from the pul •jiit. The debating societies and po litical conventions should discuss it. The interests of town and country -and newspaper and church, and so ciety generally, are so interwoven and <so identical that whatever injures one •will eventually injure all. When the merchants are compelled to bring on smaller stocks, and employ less help, and pay cheaper rent, they are not alone the sufferers; the whole com munity feels the loss. The price of Teal estate is largely dependent on its proximity to a good town, llents are dependent on the amount of business. The merchant can move to some other •town and establish himself again more readily than can the professional man and many others who have built up business through years of acquaint anceship and establishment of char acter. If the farmer, or property own er in town, want to sell out they are the greatest sufferers —they can't tmove their property to some place •where people are booming their town and country by patronizing home. The remedy lies in education and publicity. In many places that edu cation will come through bitter ex perience, but, in other communities, -where they are quicker to detect the {approaching evil, and heed more read illy the warnings of the press and tfriends of home, they may correct the ■evil more readily. Wealth and power are corrupting Snfluences and the mail order houses |are probably not sending out. as bon iest goods as they once did. They have ilearned the tricks of imitation and (Substitution and how easy it is to the public. But, if the mail (order man is honest, and his methods tof advertising legitimate in every way, fhis success is of no interest to us land will never benefit our community in the slightest degree. If crops should 'fail or sickness render us short of rmoney we could not. expect him to (trust us for a dollar —we must always jlook to the home merchant for credit tin tvmes of adversity. Who is to blame? The mall order fcouae? Not in the least. We alone [are to blame. The near-sighted mer chant who has lost trade by not ac quainting the community with what he has to sell and with the fact that people could obtain at home, where they could personally examine them and return them It defective in any way, goods at as low a price as any catalogue house can sell them,' every man and woman is to blame who sends away for goods; and every one who fails to raise his voice in. favor of home trade. The editor holds the most responsible position and should be the leader in this move ment. The remedy has been outlined in a general way. We will suggest the first steps. Let merchants buy at home — they cannot consistently ask others to trade with them when they do not patronize their brothers In trade. The editors should patronize home, and even at considerable personal sacrifice refuse foreign advertising for lines of goods in competition with the home merchant. The editor deserves more credit than he receives. Many a well to-do farmer or city man would think himself perfectly justified in sending away for all his groceries and cloth ing if he thought he could save ten dollars thereby on a year's purchases, but most editors forfeit many times that much every year by refusing ad vertising from distant firms in the same lines of business as his home merchants; and sometimes the home merchant even then declines to ad vertise. Trade-at-home clubs might be or ganized, with mottos something like Club," or "I Patronize the Home Mer chants," or "I Buy Nothing from Mail Order Houses," for members to dis play. The acceptance and displaying of such a card might constitute a per so nor member. * Much of the trading away from home is due to thoughtlessness an<J ignorance of business principles. Many persons consider only the first cos*; If they save 25 cents on a ten dollar order bj' buying from a mail order house they consider that clear gain. They should be shown that a merchant and his family living in their midst, keeps up a house, pays taxes, adds to the social features, con tributes generously towards public en terprises, etc. If by buying at home their town gives support to several more local merchants, creating a bet ter home market, they get back a lib eral percentage. Every man and wom an takes more or less pride in local affairs and is willing to contribute something toward home improve ments, if the matter is fairly pre sented. That is why I say the rem edy lies in education. Most mail order houses claim they are enabled to sell cheaper than coun try dealers because they buy in larger quantities and get especially low prices. This is often a base mis statement of facts; let me cite an in stance; A stock man from eastern Washington was visiting in Kansas City. One morning, walking with his nephew, who was a clerk in a lead ing wholesale hardware house, he asked where Bland & Co.'s store was located. "Don't think I ever heard of them," replied the young man. "0, yes, I do remember the firm; they have no store, they have an office.in (giving the name of the building), but I don't see how they can sell hard ware as low as your home merchants, for while we sell them goods at less than retail price, we don't give them as low prices as regular dealers, be cause they buy in such small quanti ties, just as they get orders." The stockman was greatly surprised, he supposed he had been dealing with one of the largest firms in the city. The mail order business has devel oped so slowly, and works so quietly that few persons realize the magni tude it has assumed nor to what ex tent it is now sapping the life-blood of many small cities and towns. Even now we hear the excuse given for sending away for goods, that tne mer chants carry such poor stocks. The wonder is that they carry any. The Real Power. A 17-vear-old boy at Worcester, Mass., has a lung capacity of 300 cubic inches. When he grows up and goes to congress he will perhaps learn that it is not the orator but the speaker who affects the course of na tional legislation. CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1907 m ///bo, *—rj % To whom we sent wth great dcto ,j i Two hearts a// mter/wwmg? $ i If thest? shou/d meet the eyes or one jj £ loved //? the yester-year L hi Whose tresses g//nted/r?t/?e sm P Whose blue eyes cost as dear. We d //tie to say and mean/t too. 'Oh sugars Shteef and'so were you/ But t/me /ids cut our /ore //? two Dear ma/d ofyester-year' lygw 3Y G%AC>J? DUFFIE; &oylak mumN'NK STACEY sat with A her back to the light of her existence and the chandelier. But the re fspective luminaries re mained equally indiffer ent, the one obscured by his evening paper and the other by a pink-tissue shade. So she lifted her pretty foot to the glow mbhl the fire —the only glow that seemed in evidence anywhere—and engaged in her long practised game of making the best of things. Hut the play went dully this night, although the coals arranged the usual pictures for her to gaze into and the castle-building materials were ail at hand. Now and then she glanced at a big bowl of violets which stood on the table near her, and in her expression was a curious blending of indignation and triumph. There was silence in the room, except for a slow-pulsed clock, which struck the quarter-hours reluctantly, and the occasional rustling of the turning pages of the newspaper. She felt strangely lonely. The girls had gone out, wearing their violets pinned in the fur and laces at their bonnie throats. The fragrance of the flowers at her side swept up with the memory of the lines which had come as a valentine to little Jeanne: This thins: I know, my dear, My love for you. my dear, Will last for aye! "But it doesn't, Jeanne, child," she whispered sadly. "It does not last any longer than the dew lasts on the roses. But it is so sweet to be de ceived!" She sighed. And again her eyes fell on the violets. "Who in the world could have sent them to me?" she murmured. "And the verses! Impertinent, of course. But rather dear. The writing looks a little familiar, too; but I can't place it." She drew a little note from the dainty little rose-colored bag which swung from the ribbons at her waist, and scanned it by the flrelight. A half-pleased smile crept up to her eyes, as she read: These tender flowers are sent to you by one To whom you are the starlight and the sun. Their fragrance bears a message fond and true From out a heart that beats alone for you. "How dreadful!" murmured Anne Stacey, but with commendable for bearance. "I must show it to Dick!" She rose determinedly, just as there was a sound of a sliding paper and a snore. She turned back and sat down, and the little foot on the fender tap ped impatiently. "Asleep again," she said, "and it is only half-past eight! Another tire some evening ahead of me. Oh, dear, I don't see why I ever married him! A man so absorbed in business has no right to marry. He is so tired and dull when he comes home that he never talks. I believe lam getting so I dis like Dick, anyway. I just won't try to tell him about the flowers and note. He doesn't take the trouble to tell me anything. I wish I knew who sent it —that's what 1 wish!" Her cheeks were flushed now, and she looked re sentfully at the form in the big leather chair. "1 won't tell him a word," she repeated then called sharply: "Dick!" Stacey started up, dazedly. "Eh? Yes. All right! What is it, mam ma?" "It's St. Valentine's eve!" "The douce it is! I thought it was morning. What's up?" "The girls have each received love ly bis b"nches of violets." "Bully for tho girls! Who sent 'em?" "We don't know. Jeanne's came with a valentine —poetry, you know." "Well, of course," said Stacey, "that is harder to bear. Know who wrote it?" Mrs. Stacey shook her head. "No. Hut it is beautiful. She will always remember it." "Will, oh? Can't get it out of her head, 1 suppose. Something like that 'Blue - trip - slip-for-an-eight-cent-fare' business." Mrs. Stacey gave wifely inattention to his joke. Her mind seemed fixed on other subjects. Finally: "A wo man always remembers such things. And sometimes they make dangerous food for hungry hearts." The man behind the paper became conscious of a meaning in his wife's tone. He looked over the top of the sheet, to see that her gaze was fixed upon a bowl of violets on the stand before the fire. She went on: "You never sent me a valentine, Dick. But some one else has. I wasn't going to tell you—when you were asleep—" "Well, I'm glad you didn't then. But what about it now?" "There isn't anything more about it. At least I only know that I received a valentine and a bunch of flowers, and I don't know who sent them. I wish I did, because I am tired of be ing left alone and neglected and — so there!" "Why, mamma! Why—" "You needn't 'Why' me!" The pitcher of patience indeed had been broken at the fountain. Mrs. Stacey was royally angry and in tears. "What do you men think women want in this life? Do you think we are satisfied' with food and fire and clothes? 1 tell you we want love and attention as much pg we do when we were young girls!" She stopped, with shamed sobbing. Stacey had risen and now stood be side her chair. "What did he say, Anne?" he questioned quietly. But she shook her head miserably. "What did he say?" He reached down and took her slender hand in his broad palm. "I can't tell you. You—never would understand—or appreciate—such ten derness. You —you never have—time "What did he say, dear?" "Oh, Dick. If only you had made love to me—if you ever—ever had—" "Tell mo what he said. You can't? Then let me tell you." He knelt down beside her and her wondering eyes saw tears upon his bearded cheeks. But he reached over and took the bowl of violets in his hand as he said: These tender flowers are sent to you by one To whom you are the starlight and the sun. "Dick! You? You?" She threw her arms around his neck. Her cheek was upon his cheek, her eyes seeking his eyes, as he continued: Their fragrance bears a message fond amt true From out a heart wlilch beats alone for you. Then there was silence in the little room where a man knelt with his wife in his arms and the quick-pulsed clock called blithely the quarter-hours as they ran away with the eve of St. Val entine. SELDOM THINKS. Ethylene—Cliolly sent me a lovel> valentine and a note saying his thoughts are all of ine— Ernest—That signifies nothing; he doesn't think oftcner than once a month. pfflaßaaßsssaarassseseePs^i I Balcoi & Lloyd, j |g WE have the best stocked 1 general store in the COUD ty jj | and if yon are looking for re | liable goods at reasonable 1 IS prices, we are ready to serve »l : j you with the best to be found. 8 p Our reputation for trust- ra |S worthy goods and fair dealing E jMJ is too well known to sell any P but high grade goods. l| || Our stock of Queensware and j| jfy Ohinaware is selected with p I* great care and we have som® || ffl of the most handsome dishes fi || ever shown in this section, ffl both in imported and domestic makes. "We invite you to visit and look our goods over. m P 1 I I | Balcom & Lloyd. • j F mm m mm mm mmmm mm mm* mm m »IPWHP*IH LOOK ELSEWHERE BUT DON'T FORGET HI THESE PRICES AND FACTS AT I | LaBAR SI 1 !! 11 R M II Pi We carry in stock - - 1 mi jtJj the largest line of Car- . t ,|S<psggggßßsaii ' g.g || pets, Linoleums and S L, ' l£K£*l[l i £3 ffl- Mattings of all kinds . *2 |j f ver br °"g ht t? this ft £* town. Also a big line ** || of samples. * "112 I IMMI SI A very large line of =FOR THE M ?2 Lace Curtains that can- M m SereV",he h pH« a ' y COMfDRTABLE LOD6ING Art Squares and of fine books In a choice library M Rugs of all sizes and select the Ideal pattern of Globe- Pi M kind, from the cheap- Wernicke "Elastic" Bookcase. SI est to the best. Furnished with bevel French |i plate or leaded glass doors. 14 Dining Chairs, I '<>» SALE O* I || || Rockers and GEO. 1. LaBAR, ** || High Chairs. Solo Agent for Cameron County. || J I A large and elegant L———————————__J |ll| line of Tufted and | Drop-head Couches. Beauties and at bargain prices. M It M S3O Bedroom Suits, COC S4O Stdeboard, quar- C9fi fc* solid oak at 4)ZO tered cak 4)uU P* P? S2B Bedroom Suits, C*)l |32 Sideboard, quar- OC H Bolid oak at 4)/) tered oak #1 $25 Bed room Suits, COfl f22 Sideboard, quar- cic M solid oak at )ZU tered oak, «plO £i N A largo line of Dressers from I Ch ffoniers of all kinds aud fei M $8 up. I al prices. |# Hi : J Hi H The finest line of Sewing Machines 011 the market, II the "DOMESTIC" and "ELDRIEGE.' All drop- E2 C 2 heads and warranted. A fine line of Dishes, common grade and China, in £* £2 6ets a "d by the piece. PI As I keep a full line of everything that goes to £4 M make np a good Furniture store, it is useless to enum- M erate them all. £$ M Please call aud see for yourself that lam telling || || you the truth, and if you don't buy, there is no harm || done, as it is no trouble to show goods. ii GEO. J .LaBAR. \\ TTNDER.TAIS.INO. M rt* A A vfflfc jfStiOfcjtajsa Mi Mk jfa i»j, 3
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers