Part 41 (1/2)
”If I a to do the best business yet at this city,” said Andy, as there came a little lull in trade ”It started off briskly, and it has kept on steadily ever since”
”Well, that just suitswe cannot do toothe next day Matt noticed two sharp-eyed ood deal At first he paid no attention to them, but at last pointed them out to Andy
”Yes, I noticed them myself,” returned the senior partner ”They do not look as if they wanted to buy, but just as if they were spying”
”Supposing I call theested Matt, for both of thein theat the articles displayed there
”Certainly, you can do that if you want to,” returned Andy
So Matt walked from behind the counter toward the door, but before he could reach it one of the men saw him and spoke to his companion, and both hurried up the street and around the nearest corner
”Hu auctioneer, and Andy agreed with him
There had been a ”To Let” bill upon the sho of the vacant store next door, but on the followingauctioneers opened up they found the bill gone The door of the store was open, and inside a boy so up
”Hullo!” cried Matt, stopping short Then he poked his head in at the door and confronted the boy
”So we are going to have neighbors, eh?” he rey reply from the boy, as soon as he had noted who had addressed him ”You didn't expect us, did you?”
”No, I didn't know the store was taken until a o,” said Matt
”Well, it can't be helped It was the only store vacant in the neighborhood”
”Can't be helped?” repeated Matt, soht you side of you”
”I don't see why I should What business are you in?”
”Same line”
Matt was taken aback somewhat by this unexpected reply, and his face showed it
”Do youto open an auction store here?”
”That's it, and we are going to ly warm for you fellows, too,” went on the boy trius, and we are going to scoop every bit of trade e get started”
Matt drew a long breath Here was certainly a new experience He and Andy had expected to encounter rivals, but had never drea them at such close quarters
”Well, I suppose ill have to stand it,” he said, hardly knowing how else to reply to the boy's bragging statement
”If I was you I'd pack up and try some other place,” went on the boy
”Gissem & Filloill take every bit of trade--they always do wherever they go”