“TRADE IS A DULL.”

Temuka Leader, Issue 283, 28 August 1880, Page 2

“TRADE IS A DULL.”

It has hardly got dull enough yet, though, for seme people to make jokea about, as is witm-ssed by the foll6wing little story which is stumping the round of the American commercial press. It appears that in spite of all their genius and perseve-ance the Yankee “ mers,” or comrarrci 1 travellers, finding their results continually iog.

One of the gentleman, who had just returned from a trip for Thistle Brothers & Co., of Boston, did not show a very large exhibit of oalcrs to balance the liberal expense account allowed him by the firm, and Mr. 'l’histle after looking over the return said—“ Mr. Itfataplan, I am afraid you do not approach the dealers in the right way ; I used to be successful in this line. Now just suppose me to be Mr. Bigher, of Sellout, and show me the way you introduce the house/’

Accordingly,. Rataplan stopped- out of the coarrtiiig-rooitr and re entered, hat in hand, inquiring. “ Mr. Bigher in !” “ That ia my name answered Thistle urbanely. “ My nam* is Rataplan, sir ; I represent the house of Thistle Brothers & Co., of Boston. rr Thistle, in hischaracter of Western m'Tthant, here roser offered the salesman a chair and expressed his pleasure-at seeing him. “I am stopping with Overcharge, at the Stickera House- and have a fine- ■ unbroken lot of samples, which I should . like to show you ; think we can show you some special advantages, etc.,” And Rataplan delivered himself of a neat , speech in professional style. “ Very well, very well,” said Thistle, “ I don’t see but that, you understood the way to get at customers. ” “ Excuse me, Mr. Thistle,” said plan, “ I am afraid you doufc understand

the style of Western merchants just now : suppose you exchange places with me, and we repeat this rehearsal.” “ Certainly/’ said Thistle, and picking up his hat, he stepped out. Returning ho found Rataplan with his chair tipped back, hat cocked fiercely over his right eye, -his heels planted on Thistle's polished desk, ami a lighted cigar between his teeth. Thistle looked a little staggered, But nevertheless commenced —“ Is Mr, Bigher in ? ”

“ Yes, he is,’ responded Rataplan, blowing a cloud of pure Connecticut into Thistle’s eye ; / Who on earth are

JOU?” A “ I represent the house of Thistle Brothers and C 0.,” said the astonished employer, coughing out a quart of smoke from his throat.

“ The blazes you do 1 Are youi one of that concern ?” t: No, sir, I am not/ 1 said Thistle.

“ Well, it’s very lucky for you that you are not for I’ve had two drummers to one customer in my store for the last two mouths, and if I could get hold of one of the stupid fools that send ’em here at this time I’m blessed if T wouldn’t boot him clean out of the town of Sellout*”

“ That’ll do, that’ll do, Mr. Rataplan, said Thistle ; “ I have no daubt you did the best you could for the interest of the house. Trade is a little dull.”