AN AMUSING OFFER

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2297, 3 November 1914, Page 6

AN AMUSING OFFER

GOODS WANTED AT HALF-PRICE AN AMERICAN'S COOL CHEEK ■. The principal of a long-established firip of leather factors in Leeds was astonished to receivo tho following letter recently, addressed to him on notepaper, headed, "H. W. Forbush, 583 to 541 Canal Street, importer of sole leather, New York City (says tho Yorkshire "Post"):— Gentlemen, —Present reports indicate that the German Army is altogether too successful, and is gradually getting nearer England. ' If their success continues, invasion of the British Isles will follow, and would result in ruin and confiscation to you. Leather stocks will then' be confiscated. Would it not bo better to ship it to me, and get- something for it? ~ ? , sincerely hope that nothing - like this will happen, but, if it does, I will say that I will buy anything in leather, sole, harness, • upper, dressed or undressed, and rough leather, you may choose'to /ship me, paying cash for same, at' one-half of tp-day's market price, three day's sight draft, for any quantity, no matter how large. Draft to bo endorsed, "Payable in New York or Lynn, Mass." .

If it should' be unsafe to send the, monoy for it to England, I will deposit the cash to your credit'to anv bank you specify in tho United States. Same could be shipped by any boat to me at Boston, New • York City preferred, or I hiladelphia, insurance to be paid by you. .

You will understand, of course 1 , that I have, arranged for cash to handle large quantities, but this cash is availnc °" ly wo carl buy cheap enough. you know our sympathies are all with England, but the;reports here are that Germany is cleaning up everything, and we sincerely hope t»at no such coutingency may arise, but 1 thought 1 would write this to you that you may depend on me in case of urgent need;— Yours truly j . H. W. FORBUSH, Inc. P.S.—Cable-advices of shipments.

The following reply to the above was dispatched by Mr. F. J. Cridland, of 16 and 17 South parade:—

~,®r i <mi fonvarding you. a copy of ilie _ Yorkshire. Evening Post," which contains a reprint of your amusing letter. _As a humorist I should say you would be more successful than as a ■ leather ..buyer,; for yme thing is quite c e r tain—you. will not get any of the Btuif for which you tender Buch truly magnanimous prices. • ' - . . We generally giwe America the credit of being, "slick'* and up to date, but you have, evidently been asleep when the news was . given out, and are awaking; like Rip Van .Winkle,, from a prolonged siesta in. the .arms of Morpheus. You may learn a little from the perusal of tho newspaper I am sending you as to the state of affairs in Europe at the present time. -Your suggestion that cash would be safer in New York than m London ' is supremely funny. Why,, my dear sir, the safety of your cash in New York depends as much on the British Navy as the safety of cash in London or anywhere else in the British ■Isles. You would look very blue about the gills, and I' guess you would not find much cash available 1 for buying' British leather, , if the British Navy were not in, existence; Good-bye to the Monroe doctrine. and" th„" American Eagle when the' British Lion ceases to' wag his marine appendage! We are pleased to gather that your sympathies are with; England, but your interests' seem rather to lie . with her adversity than her triumph;' It is ,very kind of you to show your sympathy in such a generous fashion-as to offer to take our goods "at half the market price." _ Oh, Mr .Forbush, why don't you write another'letter—this time to the German Emperor—and ask him if he has any laurels to. sell '.'at half the market rate"? '''■

I may mention for your information and that of your countrymen, who seem so badly supplied,with news.of the war, that we have, as',yet,' hardly begun to fight. Up to the present we have only amused' ourselves with putting forward "French's contemptible little army," as the' Kaiser'describes it, but that little array has succeeded. in pulling, a good, many feathers from the Ger'man Eagle's tail. We are going to see' Hub thing through, however,-, and our second "little army" will be ready to take the ball when' half-time is called.'

Go and make friends with the new German Minister in Mexico if you* want further information about the "truth." He' is evidently fully qualified to provide it "from German sources." Have, your own cables .been cut, or the German Eagle got entangled in the "wireless" ?—Yours needlessly, (Signed) F. J. CRIDLAND.

P.S.—lt may interest you to know that we have just received an order for one million- pairs of boots for the French Army, so that we shall have no' sole, dressed or undressed, leather for disposal 'at'"half the market rates" this journey.

Mr. H/ W. Forbush, 533 Canal St., New York City, U.S.A.