German-American oaths, that was all he could do, and when I talked of
selling him something he looked as if he would throw me out of the
window.

I called twice at Jewell's before I caught father and son there
together, and then I had a difficult task before me. The father was
inclined to give me the preference, the son favored Blissam, but they
had not yet ordered, and were needing some goods, and I felt as if I
could never forgive myself if I were to fail then and there.

They tackled me first on Flobert rifles; I quoted them at exactly 10
per cent, above cost to import, but they declared I was too high. I
felt sure Blissam's house bought no lower than we did, and that he
could not sell on less margin than that, so I stood up to the price.
Then we took up bull-dogs; I named $2.80, and they shook their heads
at that; so they did at price of Champion guns, till I began to feel
that my case was hopeless.

"I am afraid we can't give you an order to-day," said the son.

"I have quoted you my best prices," I said, "and am disappointed."

They talked together a few moments and finally said, "You may send us
a case of Champion guns," and this was followed by other items. I
could see that they were dividing the order between Blissam and me,
and I felt grateful for even this, and tried to make this evident. I
succeeded in getting several items that paid a good profit, and I went
to my hotel feeling that I had done pretty well.

At the desk I was handed a note from Whipper, saying: If you cannot