Part 32 (1/2)
”You ht frown passed over Hawkins' face
”Nothing so crude as that,” he answered ”I loith the importance of his subject and he continued rapidly:
”This is an age of publicity With proper handling you can doEven adverse publicity, so-called, has its value Lots of shows around here for instance are crowded to the doors every night by a estion that they are not all that they should be The quickest way to kill a n of silence'”
Seeing that Gregory did not quite get his drift, he went on:
”Your idea is OK It rite up well if it is handled right
Moreover it is a little out of the ordinary, and all-American That is a popular theme at present”
He paused and puffed the air full of s story Why couldn't hard-headed business et at? Why, Kenneth Gregory's idea would be a winner at the present time He, Bill Hawkins, could etting back to the office so I can't saystory for the boss yesterday Shotme a week off on full pay to take it easy I want a vacation I'ive o back with you and will let me muss around on your boats, I'll see if I can't drop on to soood in print I have an idea I can have a few of the jobbers around here yelping at your heels for fish before I get back In the o down to Winfield & Caet hierly at Hawkins' suggestion and isaw the two men closeted at an early hour with Mr Dupont, of Winfield & Caer'scannery owner
Noting the change, Gregory hastened to take advantage of it, and straightway put up his proposition When he had concluded, Mr Dupont took the floor
”In our dealings with our patrons, Mr Gregory,” he began, ”we are nothing, if not frank Our fir which follows as a natural result fro We are, however, extre-shots' Once convinced of the dependability of our producers, we give them every chance and stick by thelasses and polished the on:
”I had the pleasure of ory Fro that one could expect in a man
But he was constantly hampered with labor troubles of one sort or another Consequently, he was unable to operate his plant in the e like to see them operate When ork up a trade for a particular brand, we like to be able to supply the demand which we create If ere assured that you were able to ood in this respect, ould have no hesitation in sending a buyer down at once to inspect your pack”
”But you do not?”
Gregory er looked him over critically
”Yes,” he answered after a moment ”For so along the right lines That is,” he amended with a sh to deal direct with the consuory shook his head, Mr Dupont concluded:
”I'll tell you what I'll do I'll send Mr Dalton down at once to look over your pack How does that suit you?”
Gregory's face clearly expressed his satisfaction and a fewHawkins with the er
”I'll meet you here at any ti to ain on his rounds Passing a butcher-shop he stopped and surveyed the array of fish which were on display in theHe noted the prices and hastily co froeles for his fresh fish There was surelythat he had promised dickie to visit the wholesalers, he directed his steps to the water-front
The dealers he visited were scarcely civil and alish without the accent of the foreigner Their observations in response to his questions concerning the prices they were offering, were short and to the point If he did not like it, he need not shi+p to the fish every day as it was Theto do about it?
Gregory wondered hiested no doubt by Mr Dupont's jest about hih to include the consu retailed at alures And thethe Who was it? Certainly not hih frorew as he walked along the street He decided to take up, with dickie Lang, thea cooperative service- direct to the consu the jobbers But the few he had not called upon the day previous, appeared even less interested in his proposition As he caainst a heavy-sethier's face
It was Silvanus Rock, of Legonia