The Weber Literary Journal During the course of the meal, father wasn't once interrupted by the much-talked-of "afternoon rush." Jack proved himself a city boy with a country appetite, but observing father just blamed it to the freeness of the meal. After supper, Father and Jack engaged in a little get-acquainted chat. "I read, young man, you're going to start in business in Greenville," said Father. "So I had planned, dad," Jack agreed. "Please cut it out I mean please don't call me that yet." It was plainly to be seen. Father had yet something to get used to. "As I was saying," he resumed, "what sort of business is it you intend to take up? There's a shoemaker, a blacksmith, and I'm the storekeeper in this town. There used to be a barber, but he went broke 'cause all the gents preferred their wives' work. So none of these professions is open, you see." Jack tried to swallow the lump in his throat. "Don't you think, father-er er Mr. Dale, that there's room for two merchants in Greenville?" "You don't mean you're a storekeeper!" exclaimed father, indignantly. "Well, I was going to be one but but I guess it's back to the city for me," said Jack. "I think that's the best place for you," growled father, as if he was about to be robbed, again noticing the big red rose in Jack's buttonhole. "Tell me, where would I get me business in this town with another store in the field and this mail order calamity that has come among us?" "Father, father, calm down a bit," whispered Mrs. Dale. "What will the young man think of you?" "That's just it," said Jack. "I came with the intention of bucking the mail order business." "You did!" Silas yelled, sarcastically. Jack wiped the perspiration from his face. The Weber Literary Journal "Young man, how the h- do you expect to buck the mail order business?" "Having had a connection with the mail order business it has been my experience that the mail order house has its low prices but I know that the values are also lowered in proportion. Now if the merchant, such as you, could prove this and offer the people his best bargains in an attractive store with plenty of style he would win the people." "Sounds reasonable to me," agreed father. "You see my father is in the mail order business and I tried to show him where it's wrong. He told me I had to prove it to him. "How are you going to prove it to him?" Father's face took on a decidedly interesting tone. "Well, dad said Green County had the largest percentage of his customers considering the population, so you see that's the reason I decided to start here and get all the mail order customers back to the merchant." Father gripped his hand. "You're a man after my own heart," he exclaimed. "I guess if we get that business there'll be room enough for two in here." "Say," Jack inquired. "You see dad gave me $5,000.00 to prove my theory on. What do you say to a partnership in a new store?" "Fine, fine, fine, fine!" Father was aflame with joy. "Oh, my big darling boy!" Mable exclaimed as she fell prey to one of her hero's bear hugs. Mother and father stood off to one side looking on, father admiring his handsome son-in-law, especially his pompadour, his tie, his rose, his silk socks and his English shoes. 37