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EVENING PUBLIC LEDGER PHILADELPHIA, MONDAY, ABIL 7, 1919
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SP 77i?.E STRINGS
By NATALIE SUMNER LINCOLN
Author of "The Nameless Man"
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-inkf loin, fcu n. jlcvlrton A Co.
CopyrioM, PubUo LtAotr Company
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) READ TfflS FIRST
relyn Prestdn finds a stranger
In the library or ner nome. ah
y shows deatn is auo w
. . . il... jt tin,-
cr acla. tier moum uuu
pfather, Peter Burnham, arrivu
throw no.ngni on mu "'
.in Tj Mnntacne. In lovo with
elyn. learns' that his letters have
n interccptca nnu u."va -
&
m
rV4
(,... tr..rniam Is shot wmie V1SIV
4hw-hls friend. Palmer, and blames
t 'A-.'w- unt.m fnr the shooting. Ui
. -Montagne had stoppod at the door
B-lii ?-..!. tn h Van Ne3S apart-
Hf'W .Palmer and Mwnard
BkJW..2!Hlj it nr Mnrun Van Ness
WsTimI find a. Montagne and Evelyn
&m,, Sr"" Sim., who loves Evelyn.
"T!.":-J ti.,,nhnm. whose
VXJSnZ rrittht-trtS h. wife ho
feStSeut himself while snav ng "
imTiuinoys her with nis pciuiui.u. -...
PeVand his remarks aDout. um ".
gfe NOW BEAD THIS
yviS., . ,w "
SV'. -- 1 t -it trill.
E JgMUETEIW Mrs. juumin"" '"'
Ktft.JL nBA ud and her Indignation was
iM'.iiisinly manifest. "You must bo out of
ISjftyour head; don't utter any more such
Unferemarks In my presence.
! VWell, why don't you order that
Ulcab?"
v "Because Doctor Hayden said you
ere to "What Is It. Jones?'s she broke
oft to ask as the butler cams Into the
rodm
"Mr. Palmer, ma'am."
"Ask him up." Burnham half rose,
then sank back and his wlfo observed
hla sudden pallor with concern.
"Would you mind leaving us together,
IJUlan? I want to speak to Palmer
confidentially about my my affairs."
"Are you strong enough? Better
wait, Peter," she coaxed: an obsti
nate frown was her only answer, and
before she" could raise further objec
tions James Palmer was ushered In by
Jones.
"Tou come at an opportune moment,
James," exclaimed Mrs. Burnham,
haking hands cordially. "Peter was
determined to go and see you, not
withstanding I told him Dan Maynard
would bring you back to lunch with
us."
Burnham, who had darted an impa
ticnt look at his wife, pointed to a
&-' chair near the one ho occupied.
"Sit down," he suggested. "The po
lice have barred us from the library;
most insulting, I call it," he added bit
terly. "So we shall have to smoke
here; if you don't mind, Lillian?"
"Not In the least." Contrary to
her husband's hopes Mrs. Burnham
made no motion to leave the room,
but Instead went placidly on with her
knitting. "Did you meet Evelyn down
stairs, James?"
4i t'No- l haven,t seen her sInce laat
jjft night, when, calling on Mrs. Van Ness,
Cat " I found her there." Palmer paused to
faLtUPlck up the newspaper which lay at
KV'v . - , . iaa if nnntlv before
nu leci, t" wiv -
"Ah, Indeed. What did she say?"
"She stated that sho left Chelsea a
day earlier than sho had Intended on
tho receipt of a telegram from her
niece saying her mother was 111. Mrs.
Ward went on to say that her sister
died shortly after her nrrlval In Bal
timore, and the shock of finding a
dead man hero on top of her grief for
her sister upset her."
Hayden, listened with close atten
tion. "Did you see the telegram?"
"I did."
"Then Mrs. Ward has told a straight
story apparently." Mrs. Burnham's ex
pression grew peculiar and he asked
quickly, "Have you reason to doubt
it?"
"Only this," sho hesitated. "Plonso
keep this confidential. When I en
gaged Mrs. Ward as my housekeeper
three years ago sho distinctly told me
that sho had no relatives living in
this country."
"Seditious Utterances"
PALMER, fussing among his blue
prints, looked up as his stenogra
pher ushered Dan Maynard into his
office.
attempt to shoot her 'husband last
nlght7"
"No." Maynard balanced his hat on
his knee with nice exactness. "Burn
ham asked mo not to. And to be
qulto candid, after I had helped Doctor
Hayden put him to bid 1 departed
and left the doctor to tell as much as
he thought fit to Mrs. Burnham when
she returned."
"Was she out?"
"Yes, gone to some Red Cross meet
ing, so Jones told us." Maynard
smiled broadly. "I rather Imagine
from what was said at breakfast this
morning that Mrs. Burnnnm laid her
husband's condition to too convivial
a disposition."
Palmer did not smile. "I am afraid
she has frequent occaHlon to think
that and with reason. Frankly, May
nard, Burnham has been going at a
pretty lively clip during tho lact six
months and unless he pulls up he will
be over the precipice," he said soberly.
Maynard's mirth vanished. "I am
sorry to hear It," he declared. "Burn
h.im Is a good fellow at bottom, and
his wife," .Maynard stooped over to
pick up his hat which had finally
overbalance and rolled to the floor.
There was a pause before he again
spoke. "It must be doubly hard on
make tho match unsuitable Palmer
had money, influence, and came of a
family long distinguished In his coun
try's annals. Undoubtedly society's ver
dict ;nrould commend such nn engage
ment, and yet Maynard's thoughts
reverted to Rene La Montagne, whoso
aristocratic carrlago and good looks
were In vast contrast to the square
jawed bull-dog typo of manhood lolling
before him In n swivel-chair.
"I wish you all success in your court
ship," said Maynard, suddenly con
scious that nn answer was expected
of him. "Do Burnham and his wife ap
prove?" "Burnham does." Palmer examined
his fingernails critically. "I have never
been able to get an opinion out of
Mrs. Burnham; Bho can bo very
evasive when It suits her."
"Well, the main thing is to win tho
girl's affections," remarked Maynard.
"Don't worry about tho mother; her
opinion Is of secondary Importance
these days In selecting a husband."
"Not In this case; Evelyn loses her
fortune If sho marries without her
mother's consent."
"Ah, Indeed? And who Inherits the
fortune in case Mrs. Burnham's con
sent Is withheld?"
"Mis. Burnham."
"Oh!" Maynard-fltarcd blankly at
ill! SV"-S- m-
it
Ob m i fl'L
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laying It on the sowing table
IS. "Mrs. Van Ness," repeated Burnham
thoughtfully. "Oh, didn't Captain La
Montagne mention last night that he
-was looking for Marian Van Ness's
.apartment, Palmer?"
' "Yes." Palmer looked over at Burn-
Wrrf and their glances met. "The
captain was with Mrs. Van Ness and
Evelyn when I called there."
Mrs. Burnham missed a stitch and
JjMien she again looked up from "her
knitting she found her husband gaz
ihc out of the window and Palmer
Just lighting a cigarette.
' "With your permission," he said,
!; " rmMIno- it uo.
P. y'Certalnly; I don't object to tobacco
ULv'imoke." She was about to resume her
fl" knitting when her glance strayed
KB" .. . .. . ... ..,.. i.
f$ inrougn mo open uour yy wiuwi wtc
,h suit onri tiA rpcnirnizfa uocior iiav-
. -. a - -
. den coming down thf) hall. "Excuso
,Bne." she exclaimed, "I'll be back in
Ptf a. moment," and she slipped out of the
f&tf'Ttim before her husband looked
A-f, around.
Hurrying down the hall Mrs. Burn-
!. . . ham encountered Hayden near her
- bedroom and with a, bare word of
?.;' BiVQUliA vwv.v m.w wv w..u .-.- ......
M& inside the room.
'fen "You have two rebellious patients,
.Doctor; my husband ana airs, wara,"
V.iii.' . h haaran.
jljjMy t "Mrs. Ward shouldn't give you any
i8fr--concm." replied Hayaen. "ssne nas
$ft 'recovered;' but your husband had a
tiT 'touch, of fever last night which may
ifi'-,nake him a bit er fractious," hesl-
n tatlng for a word a he saw how wor-
5k i ried she was.
J W " A1 IM. T tvn tfr anvtmiB flVitii DfttM
m ;v- v ' Jr .. i ,; :
W1 can manage mui. biiu buu cunii-
f1 flntlv. "It's Mrs. Ward: -why Is she
'ftr - .. -,
ii'Ji'jHayden looked at her In surprise.
$&fVr..n , v. -.. i ,-
gyn" in iny upimod 0110 10, wiui einpna-
&(aiwB. "Walt; I've noticed that when-
sjU -," eef U10 Coroner or the detectives
Wit , wish to interview ner, Mrs. ward al-
CfhyrtyB becomes worse or says so, and
, .JURE w BAliaiy uijrscii t, vjuumiieu uiu
-X Burse's chart and found nothing on it
tlkto Indicate such changes In her condi-
,iVf tlon. Tooay sne reruseu to get up,"
fesJ'She did? But I told her last
''ffia"I"know, I heard you. She ate a
-. ftP.ilirge and substantial breakfast and
$P in had the effrontery to tell me
k Jtkit she was too weak to get out of
f "" hkinJ. know' a sick woman when I
-. i;iiU'?one." ended Mrs. Burnham with
r
vner, "and in my opinion she is no
Mrtotd,"
,( Mr J1l tlV in hrr." and Havd n'a
.-i- '
e aw became more pronounced.
'-please. Wait Just a moment;
iHWla she malingering?"
Hayden pondered the question be
flHseanswerlng. "It may be, consld-
Ber emouons aiier int aucovery
dead man and her attempts to
''Interviews with . Coroner Pen-
knd Dctectlvo Mitchell, that she
He get out of attending the
wa witness."
ytove you've hit It," ejaculated
awmiuun, "I've oeen tjuroiiun-
ir.. Ward this nioniing about
THE DAILY NOVELETTE
A SURE CUKE
By Mary W. Ford
DREAMLAND AD VENTURES-ByDaddy
"THE BOY TRAMP"
--V.r.(...
"Evelyn loses her fortune if she marries without her mother's consent"
"Sit down," he exclaimed heartily.
"I was afraid you wouldn't come back
after all; you need not wait, Miss
Hall," and the stenographer walked
out, closing trie door behind her. Pal
mer swung his swivel chair about so
as to face his visitor who had selected
a -seat near the desk. "I stopped at
the Burnhams' particularly to see you,
but found you had left to come here."
"Too bad," commented Maynard. "I
should have telephoned first before go
ing to the rehearsal of the tableaux
at the Belasco, to ask you to wait
for me; my stupidity. He leaned a
little nearer. "Have you seen tho
taxi-driver?"
"Not yet." Maynard's face fell; he
had Jumped to the conclusion from
Palmer's manner that he had news of
Importance. "The Potomac Taxi Com
pany reported Sam was engaged to
motor a party out to Camp Meade;
they are expected back this evening."
Palmer drummed his Augers on the
desk a second, then aKud abruptly:
"Did you tell Mrs. BurnlKm about the
Mrs. Burnham; aside from her affec
Hon for her husband she is a proud
woman, and to have her affairs dis
cussed In public must go against the
grain."
It was Palmer's turn to smile. "You
weren't here when their engagement
was announced? well, my good fel
low, Mrs. Burnham was then the
storm-center of criticism, not to say
amusement. No, I can't, believe the
public's opinion, good or bad, influ
ences her actions. She Is a law unto
herself."
Maynard shook his head in unbelief.
"What part of the country does she
hall from?" he asked.
"New York; she comes of old Knick
erbocker stock." Palmer tilted back
In his chair. "Her daughter Is like
her in looks as well as In disposition;
she also has a will of her own," he
Bighed, then spoke carefully, choosing
his words. "I hope to marry her."
Maynard looked at hlsn, but his
grave manner precluded jesting. After
all there was not so much difference
In Evelyn's and Palmer's ages as to
KNOWLEDGE
Youth knows It all. Life's problems are
So plain to him he smiles to see
His elders wander off so far
From truth and simple verity.
Religion, science, business, art
To think them deep is Age's whim.
Youth simply takes the things apart
.They're simple processes to him.
And then the scissors of the yeara
Clip off his knowledge bit by bit.
His confidence Is turned to tears, .
And all awry his pretty wit.
Ah, do not think men wiser grow
With added years! The years appall!
There's nothing" left for Age to know!
Youth has It all! Youth knows it all!
GRIP ALEXANDER.
the architect. "An unjust will," ho
said gravely. "It is unfair to Evelyn,
very; she has either to marry to
please her mother, or select a wealthy
man; or " He paused.
"Or what?"
"Choose love In a cottage."
Palmer shrugged his shoulders. "To
a girl brought up to expect every
luxury and never count the cost, love
In a cottage hasn't a great appeal
except In the movies. I know I shan't
have an easy time winning Evelyn,"
he admitted in a sudden burst of
candor. ''She Is very popular, but In
the end," his Jaw snapped, "Americans
should marry Americans."
Maynard's eyebrows rose slightly;
so Palmer was aware of Rene La
Montagne's courtship of Evelyn! Had
he gained that Information the night
before or was the affair common
gossip?
"Heard anything further about the
mysterious dead rnan?'i he Inquired.
Palmer looked glum. "Not a thing,"
he admitted. "I called up Coroner
Penflel,! today at Burnham's request
to ask when the Inquest would take
place, and was told that a preliminary
examination had been held, the body
put in a receiving vault, and upon
further developments the inquest will
be continued."
Maynard whistled. "The delay is un
usual; they must be waiting for wit
nesses." "Or to identify the dead man."
"Have they made any progress in
solving that problem?"
"The coroner did not say."
"Strange that a man can drop out
of existence and not be missed or In
quired about," mused Maynard. "The
dead man must have had some friends
or relatives."
"Perhaps they are not in this coun
try." "They can always cable."
Palmer tilted still farther back In
his chair, "Has it occurred to you
that the dead man's friends or rela
tives may reside In Germany?"
"Do you mean that the dead man
was a German spy7"
(CONTINUED TOMORROW)
T TELL you once and for all, Floss,
X If this toothnche hangs oil till Thurs
day I'll not drive you to the game."
"But Bob, dear, you have promised
to take me, and Hie girls at school, also
what will we do?"
"Floss, why pick on me nil tho time 7-
have somebody else's brother drive you
down." '
"But, Bobby, can't you see some den
tist he perhap can relieve you please
do, and then If lie can't relievo you,
Bobby, I'll call It off. I know very well
you aren't crazy about taking us to the
game, nnd I suppose we do Impose on
your good nature, but Bobby, dear, tho
girls simply adore you "
"Enough, Sis dtm't start on that
again ; but I'll Bee n dentist this after
noon and If ho can fix mo up I'll dr(ve
you down."
"Say, Bob, why not try out Dr. How
ard you are sure to get cured there
pleasa go this afternoon."
"All right, Sis, where is he located?"
Of course, she Immediately gave
brother Bob the desired address with
his promise that lie would drive down
to the office Immediately.
Bob Gordon had Just been mustered
out of the service and had been homo
about two months, and In all that time
Bob was continually on tho go.
It seems Florence, his Bister, and her
school friends were getting up endless
parlies or affairs, nnd, of course, nat
urally, brother Bob was the Hon of the
evening or afternoon, whatever It might
be.
After ench party or dance he would
Inwardly, declare that a happier boy
would never exist when It came time to
return to college and escapo this ever
lasting on-the-go stuff.
Half an hour later he was on tho way
to Doctor Howard's office, and Florence
could bo ssen a half hour later explain
ing to the girls what had taken place
at home with brother Bob, nnd assured
them that she had a little scheme In
mind and she was sure It would work
and telling them she Just knew posi
tively he would dilve them to the
game.
"Dr. H, Howard Walk In" met-Bob's
eyes ns ho stepped from the elevator,
and "walk In" Bob did ; but he no
sooner closed the door than he wished
with nil his heart that ho had never en
tered, for right before him was a young
Blip of a girl working over a patient In
a dental chair. Why, there must be
somo mlBtake, he assured himself; this
mero child could' never be the dentist
he had come to see, and It seemed as
though the tooth never ached so badly
before. He stood up and was about to
leave quietly, thinking he might escape
unobserved, when a very sweet vole
said: "Pardon me, but If you could
wait just a moment I will attend to
you. Yes?" Bob bowed and sat down
again. Soon after the patient Was gone
nnd Bob was escorted to the chair
verily he thought he would be mur
dered now, and he knew, oh, yes. he fMt
sure If ever she touched that tooth he
would howl ; but very soon his head
was laid very gently back on the chair
and the same sweet, even voice was
again saying: "What tooth seems to
bother you, please? Then this one, is
it not?" as she touched the tooth in
question. Before Bob knew it she had
prepared something, whatever it was
he couldn't tell, nnd she was plugging
away at the tooth, very, very gently,
and soon Bob felt, the greatest relief in
hg life oh, the feeling was wonaenui.
"That feel better yes?" "Say, U'r won
derful," Bob declared. "Sis will be very
glad; but I beg your pardon, I am
rambling on about something you know
nothing of "
"But If you tell me I might enJoy.lt.
too." said Doctor Howard, otherwise
Helen Howard, with a mischievous
twinkle ln.her eye. Somehow or other
this patient interested her. He had
been so anxious to leave her at first
and ho had appeared so sullen; now
hifi face was tho picture of happiness.
"Well, you see, It's Just this way er
"I know It must Beem hard to connect
me with being a doctor, but neverthe
less, let's forget It and call me Mist'
Now, ' really, thought Bob, here was
a' wonderful little girl A sweet sympa
thetic little lady with a great deal of
patience yea. he really liked this little
girl, of that he was sure."
"Well," began Bob again. "Sis will be
delighted to find I got relief, as' I had
"promised to drive her and some more
friends down to see the game at Hem
'nirwav. It seems the college adjoining
Sls's Is to play 'Dunns,' a college fifteen
miles distant, and her heart Is set on
nninf sinrt It's oulto a. drive, Bo she II
not be disappointed nfter all you are a
wonder er er l ueg your liarumi.
"Not at all, Mr. Gordon."
"You know me?" -
"Why, I happen to know Floss ery
well, nnd we were Just taming .only
the other day about the game, nnd she
wns reallv enthusiastic about it, and I
am mighty glad she can go now," warm-1
ly declared Helen, ana nuss uiu iun ma
of you when you were In the service.
She used to be so happy when she would
receive a letter from you, and now, Mr.
Gordon, forgive me, as I, too, have ram-
"Whv. this Is wonderful. Miss How
ard, to think Floss knows you and you
know mo now jwhy, we can be good
friends, can we not?"
"Whv ves." smiled Helen, "but you
will have to excuso me, as I am going
home for lunch now," at the same time
reaching for her hat and coat.
"Oh. I say, Miss Howard," asked Bob.
"couldn't I drive you home? You ought
to allow me to ieaiiy. as i nave ue
tained you here talking."
"It has been a pleasure, Mr. Howard,
and as I live close by your place, I
will take advantage of your kind offer."
Soma time later when the girts would
ask Florence where Bob was keeping
Himself, etc., she laugningiy responuea:
"Well. I mlKht Just ns well tell you.
Bob and our dear Helen nre engaged.
and I am the happiest lime gin in all
thA world, and I iruess Bob Is. too.
for all he can do Is to grab me and kiss
me pverv momlnir at breakfast and
declare I was the dearest sister ever to
send him to Helen, and, by tho way,
girls. It came on me all of a sudden
when he thought of refusing to drive
us to the game to have him go to
Helen, nnd that she would nut him In
good humor and help him out, and It
worked great, as you all know what a
darling she is, and Helen told me after
ward that mod was aooui mo most
wonderful boy she ever met, so, girls,
It'a no use, Bob Is too busy with Helen
to be bothered with us any longer."
The same night Bob nnd Helen were
out riding and It was n wonderful night,
too, and Bob would declare over nnd over
again, "you are the dearest, the best
tin doctor In all this world, but you'll
have to stay with menow and be my
nurse In the future and little doctor
also."
Helen raised the shining gem on the
finger to her-Hps, and Bob was entirely
satisfied.
(In this storu Peggy and Blllu net
mixed up in an exciting defccHus adventure.)
' ON A HIKE
PEGGY artd Billy were on a hike
nlong the river. They had taken
their lunch along and were having the
happiest kind of a time. The day was
beautiful with the sun shining, the birds
singing, and a gentle breeze ruffling the
surface' of the water. All natuYe seemed
Joyous and at play.
Peggy and Billy chatted with the birds,
picked flowers, chased butterflies, and
set ships made of chips salting away on
the river.
"Fun, fun, nothing but fun 1" sang
Peggy gleefully.
"Run. run, you'd better run!" an
swered Bull Frog from the rushes along
the water's edge.
Peggy stopped her singing In a hurry
and turned to Billy.
"What do you think Bull Frog meant
by that?" shp asked.
"I guess he's a poet, and has to show
It," rhymed Billy with a laugh.
"Sun, sun, shine, gentle sun," sang
Peggy.
"Shun, shun, dark thickets shun !"
croaked Bull Frog from the rushes.
Again Peggy stopped singing.
"That sounds like a warning," she
said' "And I see a dark thicket ahead
of us."
"Yes," answered Billy, "but I don't
see any reason for shunning It What
danger can there bo In such a peaceful
spot? I'm going to explore It.
"Gun, gun; have you a gun?" croaked
Bull Frog, as Billy started forward.
Billy stopped hesitatingly.
"Run, run, you'd better run!" an
swered Bull Frog from the rushes
along the water's edge
"I'll bet that old frog Is just trying
to scare us," he muttered.
"Well, wo will fool him. Wo are not
'frald cats." Billy took another step to
ward the thicket when a call from be
hind halted him again.
"Woof! Woofl Walt! Walt!"
It was Johnny Bull, the dog friend of
Peggy and Billy.
"Woofl Walt! I'm coming to guard
you I" he barked.
"What Is there to guard us against?"
asked Peggy anxiously. Johnny Bull
raised his nose and sniffed tho air.
"Tramps!" he growled. Then he ven
tured a few Bteps toward the thicket
and sniffed the air again. "A whole
bunch of tramps!" ho added.
"O-oh, and we were going to run right
Into them!" exclaimed Peggy.
"Shun ! Run I Go get a gun I" croaked
Bull Frog. Johnny Bull was still"' snif
fing the air. .
"I think I'll take a look at 'em,"
growled Johnny Bull. "They smell to
me like a bad lot.' So Johnny Bull
dived Into the thicket and was soon lost
to sight.
"Maybe we had better get out of here
before the tramps Bee us," suggested
Peggy.
"You go back," said Billy. "I'll wait
to see jvhat Johnny Bull finds." But
before Peggy could stir the bushes sud
denly parted beside themiand a raggedy
figure appeared. Tho raggedy1 figure
carried it club, nnd with this he aimed
a blow at Billy's head. As Billy dodged
tho raggedy flguro grabbed tho box In
which Billy was carrying their plcnlo
lunch.
"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed the ragged,'
figure. "Here's where I have a fine
dinner," and he dodged back Into tho
bushes again.
But he dodged straight into trouble.
There was a low growl, and then the
raggedy figure flew out of the bushes
with Johnny Bull at his heels.
"Woof! Woof Lunch! Lunch! I'll
hno a bite myself," snarled Johnny Bull
snapping at the raggedy figure's coat
tails. A low hanging tree was close at
hand and the raggedly flguro didn't
wasto any time makings for It. He
grabbed tho lower branches and drew
himself up. Johnny Bull leaped and
caught him firmly by the scat of his
trousers.
(Tomorrow will be told howthe rag
gedy fihure gives Peggy and Billy a'
surprise.) t
tit
A
ill I
41
K.
BRUNO DUKE,Solver of Business Problems
By HAROLD WHITEHEAD, Author of "The Business Career of Peter Flint," etc
(Copyright)
The nevt complete
Mothera Helm.
noTClctte While
THE PROBLEM OF THE PROFIT.
SHARING PLAN
THE two brothers sat with their
hands spread overvthelr knees and
looked very uncomfortable, but they
were so Interested In Bruno Duke's ques
tions about their business that they were
forgetful of everything else.
"Has your stock of merchandise in
creased since the Inventory which was
taken at the beginning of the last trad
ing period?"
Charles looked at James and said:
"You know more about that than I
do." ' ""
"All right, Charles. It's perhaps a
little dlfilcult to explain, for our stock Is
less but the value' Is more. You see,
Mr. Duke, the war had caused prices to
advance very much so that that " he
floundered for an expression.
"I understand" Duke Interposed. "Now
tell me, have you taken stock at In
voice prices or at market prices?"
"That's where Charles and I differ,"
exp'ained James. "He said we ought to
take stock at Invoice price, but I said
we ought to take It at the present-day
price. You see, Mr. Duke, If prices
declined w-e'd take' the loss right away
so If prices advance we'd be Justified in
taking the profit right away. Isn't that
so?"
"If you could take the profit right
away, ye. But It Is only a potential
profit and not a real one till the goods
are sold and paid for and all the ex
penses Involved in the sale are paid."
"There," Charles exclaimed triumph
antly, "I knew you were wrong, James,
we ought to take stock at the lowest
figure whichever It may be, cither In
voice price or market price. You see,
I'm right, for Mr. Duke agrees with me."
"Hold on a minute," Duke laughed.
"Please don't commit me to something
I never said. Tell me what you really
did?"
"Split It 50-50," James admitted. "We
ought to have shown a profit on Btock
of 22,000, bo we called it $11,000 from
the present profit figure of $28,000, which
leaves a real, actual not a potential,
Mr. James profit of J17.000.
"For statistical purposes It's desirable I
to divide profit Into two rarts profit
from buying and profit from selling.
Profit or loss from buying Is that dif
ference in stock valueB which occurs be
tween the buying and the selling of the
goods. This figure Is an Index of the
buyer's skill. The trading pront to.is
clearly of the salesman's skill."
The two brothers looked puzziea, so
Duke added:
"If stock has to suffer a heavy mark
down It should be considered as an
error In buying and should not be
blamed to the salesmen1. Any Joss on
price Bhould be debited to the buying
organization, and the selling' profits
should be baSjed on the profit made by
the salesmen on the market price. Thus
you can see whether the buying or sell
ing end of your organization is weak.
If the price variants on stock are
charged to buying profits, and that
amount be taken from the business net
profits you at once see what the effi
ciency of your organization Is."
Then the light dawned, for tho broth
ers looked at each other nnd laughed.
"James," said Charles, "we don't
know all there Is to know about busi
ness finances."
"Charles," chuckled James, "you and
I ought to go to school again and here
we've been going along all these years
making money, too without a real
idea of the economics of business. I
guess we succeeded because the other
fellows know as little as we do.','
Duke was frankly pleased at their
appreciation of his knowledge. I must
admit that Dulto Is ery open to receive
praise of his woik.
"Well, gentlemen," he said, "I must
congratulate you on being able to show
a profit at all. Many people who con
sult me are actually losing money with
out realizing It. They pile up more and
more stock and believe that shows a
healthy growth, whereas It generally
shows' that slow moving or dead stock
is being accumulated, and money locked
up in dead stock Is worst than useless.
"Now, tell me, please, when you
Btarted your profit-sharing plan, how
long it ran and why you abandoned
It?"
' TODAY'S IIUMNKSB QUESTION
What is a "tickler"!
Answer will appear tomorrow.
ANSWER TO SATURDAY BUSI
NESS QUESTION
A "seal" is a device which makes
an impression on wax or paper.
In this space Mr. Whitehead will an
swer readers' business questions on
buying, selling, advertising and employ
ment. Business Questions Answered
A tew words of atUlce envertn? my case
below will certainly be appreciated.
I am a youne man poiscsstnir quite a
little latent In tho arc line and am, in
fact at prRent taklne up u practical couraa
In commercial art.
However. I am desirous of securing soma
sort of position or een a chance of submitting-
succersfully a Lit of cartooning or
comic Illustrating with or to one or more
of our dally papers.
I havo had no practical experience In this
line with newspapers, but have done some
falrlv ennrl u nrk for school Duplications.
I uc!lee however, thtt my execution and
Ideas win co-no up to stanuaru u i can get
a chance.
Therefore, if vou can tell mo lust now I
can fro about obtaining such a connection
as I desire you will be oousins verv mum
Inri-Ari .T. w. p
I wonder why It Is so many people
think that a newspaper has to De ap
proached through some special channel,
or null?
Just take samples of your work and
call personally on the city editors of
the papers. If they need some one nnd
your work has the right merit they'll
bo glad to get you.
It Is, however, a rather crowded field
and a man has to be above the average
to hold a place on a big dally." You
could perhaps get work with some ad
vertising agency; they use artists in pre
paring advertisements. The trade jour
nal field Is also one worth trying to get
In. Wall paper housei also need de
signers. Business houses who adver
tise largely also use artists In pen or
pencil.
Selling your services Is like selling
anything else. You must call on the
people who need the particular kind of
service you sell and keep at it until you
find a customer.
I am at present a student In Stuyvesant
High School, and I am completing the second
year of my course. I am sixteen years uf
Ka anu uorn 01 American parents in ew
lum. i
In the htffh school which I attend there are
two sessions, n am in tne early session.
and 1 leave the school at 1 o'clock. I am
desirous of obtalnlnc a position after school
hourx. Do vou know nf anvboriv that re
quires a young fellow? Vn you think I could
Ket a position on a farm during the summer
vacation?
I recently heard a good business epigram.
Conceit may puff a fellow, but It will never
prop .him." I am pasting your story in a
scranbook. and I expect It to bo a great help
to me In later life. M. N. M.
I am glad Bruno Is so helpful to you.
That's a good little epigram you sent,
so I am leaving it in your letter.
I strongly urge you, and Indeed any
vigorous, red-blooded American, to get
Into farm work, If possible. I refer you
to Dr. David Snedden, Columbia Uni
versity, New York city.
ilm...haH av.rilter twh0 doe writing at
nSl?2i ad 8he na' bcen advised to take
SSoJeSt SheCOhraVDr,S";co hoo! on that'
wnether th -J. "ked "V t0 flml ut
or not mi... wa" a. bonaflde school
?JhS'.A?"!?A.? .!" of such
rnie that Berhansvr'."' .""?
Hi o. I would appreciate' it If yoI
TSSFcotiXS'Sr Sing Ih'e'Ynclo'iirenvSf
hat you communicate with the super.
T1"1!?1 f thF state Board of Educa-
' ,t 5. Bl.v? yu JUit the Informa-
,. txal jwu wisn.
W? a,r.? .ulte interested In your denart- ,
St ,We hino rlei a" kinds of ways to
fnU s"ucc8sm.an' bUt d0 not "eem t0 h
.Ve nae B'enty of material and canltal
?omp?tTtlv2 basl.l"wV0h do bujlnes. ?n
It . j i .1 Dasis. we have ndvertisrl in
We'l ,nVv-ra,pSr SunaaJT ,a"d trade' piper
rlKht man- "fid proposition to make tithe
;,,, v."lan',,hat ls- we will go flfty-ftftv
with him Can you give us anv pointers as
to how we can catch this fellowr
, J; A. p'N.
Have you tried the business colleges
and night schools? There are a num
ber of Industrial Institutions teaching
fiMS.m.anshli,-mGet '? tou(,h with these
instltutons. They could probably sug
gest one or two good live wires from
among their students. As there are a
lot of salesmen reading this story. It
might pay you to run an advertisement
adjoining this feature.
Of course, as cood salMmtn orJ
Fcarce. It Is necessary to have a good
proposition, which I presume you have.
i ia uneii n guui pian to get a young
man. give him a small salary and com
mission and train him your own way.
4.1
s
C:
,4
FRENCHYTres Bon Bath But
By MILT GROSS
"" Copyrfcht, 1010. by The Tribune Co.
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The Empty Cottage
The Initial fault was mine. I know I
ought not to have written poetry. Still
I submit that the writing of poetry Is
more of an amiable weakness than a,
criminal offense. But I was tempted in
this' way: I noticed that the "Balmoral
Magazine always Used half a page of
verse each month. Now half a page
ran to Just thlrty-slx lines. It occurred
to me that poems of this length would,
be exceedingly welcome to the editor,
Most poets are unbusinesslike, and write
epics or epigrams. Few, I estimated,
would have the keen business sense to
send just what the editor needed.
I turned to my typewriter and
nuuuneu on tnirty-slx lines about an
empty cottage owner gone to the war
flowers and fruit growing wild lush
grass In the paddock leaky water butt '
and all that sort of thing, Vividly
cuiiiug, you Know line an nuctipneer's)
description with the adjectives reversed
a bit. Carefully markine It. "Ijnirthi
thlrty-slx lines," I Bent it to the editor,
As I thought, he was weary of hack-
Ing chunks out of Immortal verse and 3
Imploring laureates to write ten lines R
more. lie jumped at my business propo-
sltlon of thlrty-slx ifnes.
The verses were published and filled ' "
In beautifully a gap at' the end of the
"Golden Buttercup; An Intense Romance 1
of the French Revolution." j
I thought I had finished with, the '
beastly thing.
A week later I found out my mistake. , jj
An nnprv nnstmnn nam, ,n ,a fiSS
rlnnr. nannaltaf n hii,a hnnl- r.9 t..,,...... '2t'S
a,1 yttHnA ....... ..IImm S1U
They were all addressed to me, care '
of the editor.
For one brief moment I thought ,1
must by accident haye 'written real
poctrjv - ;
I tore open the first letter. It ran: T
"Dear Sir I should like to know i
where the empty cottage so v)vldly and f,
beautifully described by -you Is situated. 5
Will you please say (a) rent, (b) area
of naddock. (cV If 'nn eravel soil. I am
Knxlops o take up goat-rearing and bee-
kopnlnc Rtumnpd ftlrpt,,l ,nv,1ntw In.
'closed for your rcp'y, which will much
They were all the same except that
some inclosed stamped telegram tormi$,Jf'3
nnl -it lint-a In f a rlarl trt Iaon hand tim nlirfl T-?
nu WUI1.4 0 iini,4iui.u t-u nf-vj nutiD v I'lfioi r
fine ia fa fill man anvlntiu In ma If a tVi v.
best of both worlds, inquired If there. &d
were a church and a public house In the pffl
immeaaie vicinuy, jnu muy uweii. cii--tj
serpent only crept out in her postscript-
when she saia: "i: . uouia you juna-v '
ly give me the address of the empty ii
cottage. I Bhould love to live In an??
abode that has been Idealized by so true
I replied to all who Inclosed postage" '
for re'ply that the cqttage in question,
was situated on the side of Mount Hell:,
con, and was a mere product of a poet' ,
...... TTnl nf Ihom BAIll flhfiaK- lftt.. l
laitujr. 41. , -..... .-... ......... ,w .w -- . ,
t-a In fAtnrn nnd fnrlrnt tn nnv noatj. ,
ir :" ::: ' ' yj
tlge VII menu 5 - q
I nave Degun my next, Rei 01 verse
for the magazine. Thy !wlll run .I''
precisely .thirty-sir iln 'aa-thelr Utt .,
VJW am n -! mw
m.'mimmmmmm w .
v I BjfjiEj
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