one of these gun houses and offers a special cut price, and within
twenty-four hours every little cross-roads dealer is advised of the
cut."

"I heard a man swearing just about the same way about screws," I said.

"Screws? Oh, yes; that's so. Screws have been about as mean. One
factory used the hardware trade of the country to club a competitor,
and thousands of dollars of values were wiped out in the operation. I
had, say $1,000 worth of screws, bought at 75 percent off. Russell &
Erwin wanted to hurt the American, so down went screws to 80. That
didn't settle the business, and next they went to 90 off. What was
worth $1,000 at 75 off was worth but $400 now. And this cut was
advertised everywhere, so that retailers insisted on getting it. The
orders as sent in were not filled, and retailers' orders on us were
much larger than before. By and by we had no stock, and then, without
any reason other than their own sweet will, prices went up again. It
was a most outrageous piece of business from beginning to end."

"I am glad all the bad work is not done in guns," said I, "but how is
your stock? I think bull-dogs are going to advance."

"I suppose they are; look at this letter."

He handed me a letter from a New York house which read:

New York,----, 188--.

Messrs. Rhodes & Shively--_Gentlemen:_ I have entered your order
for 100 "Blank" Bull-Dogs at $2.85, prices guaranteed. Please send on