Their Money Moon

THEIR MONEY MOON 1179 rough-spoken man, but those who knew him well enough to call him "Tom" could see the gentle smile in his eyes that belied the sterner expression of his mouth. He had made the reputation of being a square man; he expected the best and gave the best always. This particular morning he was engaged in checking up some of his secretary's reports. They weren't satisfactory, it was apparent, as a deep wrinkle appeared over' his eyes. The door was opened and the office boy announced, "Lady to see you, sir." "I told you that I wasn't to be disturbed this morning." "I know, sir, but she insists that her business is very important." "O, very well," resignedly, "show her up in a hurry." It wasn't a minute before Louise entered looking very prim and fresh in her gingham dress. "Please be brief, madam. I have no time to spare on unimport- ant details," all but growled Mr. Pierce. "Yes, sir, I will, as this is a busy season for housewives as well as merchants," she smiled at him. "Yes, yes, but what has that got to do with this interview? Please proceed on your business." "Oh, but that is the main point in my argument," she insisted. "You see this is the spring cleaning season and I have something here that I should like you to introduce in one of your departments and sell for me." She opened her bag and emptied the contents of sweet smelling bundles on the desk in front of him. He looked at the scattered bundles in perplexed silence. She continued, "These are articles that housewives will use in limitless numbers — if we show them their need for it, and the economy in buying them. The only two things that can convince any woman and make her a steady customer. I believe we can do all this." A smile appeared in his eye, he was amused at her audacity in using the term "we." He waved his hand as a signal for her to continue. "When a housewife starts cleaning, as a general thing she gets so far and finds she has forgotten something. Generally it's either varnish or polish or something suitable for some special article. These bundles contain sanitary dust cloths, a good size with plenty of good standard polish on each to shine a roomful of furniture, and they can be sold cheap enough so any housewife can afford a clean one for each room." "But, I don't think I'll be able to handle them for you. I wouldn't be able to sell more than fifty in a week. That wouldn't justify the bother, there would be no profit for you or myself to amount to much." Louise hesitated a moment, then asked timidly,' "Have you an advertising manager?"

118', IMPROVEMENT ERA "Yes." "Couldn't he do something to increase sales? Oh, please try. If you only knew how much it means to me to make a success of this." Louise looked at him pleadingly. "Well, I'll see," he said not unkindly. He touched the bell but- ton and when the office boy opened the door he said, "Tell Grayson to come here immediately." It wasn't many moments until young Grayson appeared. "Now tell him what you have told me," said Mr. Pierce. Again Louise told him her point of view concerning the little bundles. Grayson listened attentively then slapped his knee with enthusiasm. "Oh, boy, but I could make a stunning adv. on that, using her forgetful housewife idea. Why we could make a special day of it to begin with. We could sell thousands." Louise's face lighted up again, "In that case I would have to work a week to get ready for the first sale." She laughed a little. "Oh, say you will try it, Mr. Pierce." "Sure, sure," he said, "we will give it a trial a week from Monday. That will give you plenty of time to prepare." Louise could only nod dumbly as she gathered up her belong- ings. "Thank you," was all she could say as she hurriedly left. She ordered her material, then hurried home to put it out of sight before Walter, Sr„ came home. The week preceding the Monday sale was a busy one for Louise. She was so busy and so interested that her little home showed signs of neglect which was very unusual. One evening as Walter, Sr., was glancing through the evening paper before starting his studying, he remarked carelessly, "Going to be another big sale at the Notion store. Prepared Dustless Dusters for the women who forget. Keep them on hand, it says. Huh! We sure need some around here. I could write my name on any chair in this room right now. Better get some, Kitten, they seem to be cheap, too." He didn't see the startled look that came to her face, but it changed into a queer little smile and she said nothing. Finally the big day came. Louise had gone to town on Satur- day to make arrangements to have her week's work taken down. On all sides signs met her eyes. "The Wonderful Dustless Dusters." "You can't afford to waste time; buy Dustless Dusters." "Keep the family happy with Dustless Dusters." As she hurried along she filled with excitement. "If they would only sell as Grayson suggested I wouldn't need to worry so much over that old budget." Monday evening when Walter, Sr., came home there was some- thing unusual in the bright smile on his face. He kissed his wife in the old happy way as he explained his joyousness.

THEIR MONEY MOON 1181 "My big case has come at last, Kitten, and the future starts to look brighter." "What do you mean?" asked Louise cautiously. "You know the big sale that came off today. It was some sale, I'll say. The walks were lined with women waiting for a turn at those Dustless Dusters. The little boy of A. T. Welton's was run- ning across the street when a car knocked him down. I happened to be passing and stopped to see the cause of the excitement. The boy was quite seriously hurt, but the driver didn't stop the car. Of course, there will be a case, maylbe a big one and as luck would have it, I was there and Mrs. W. made an appointment for me to see her husband about the case. I went to his office and he turned it over to me." "Who knows but what it may be the means of your getting some of the bigger cases here, or may even lead to a permanent po- sition as district attorney. Mr. Welton is such an influential man," Louise responded heartily. "And all on account of those Dustless Dusters. I'll warrant Tom Pierce took in a goodly sum of money today. It has been the cause of our good fortune, too. Why, what's wrong. now, Louise?" Louise had sat down and was laughing hysterically. A knock sounded at the door and Mr. Thomas Pierce entered. When he saw Walt he stretched out his hand. "Mr. Gregory, I wish to congratulate you on having one of the cleverest, pluckiest little women for a wife that I have ever met. I have brought her a check for one hundred dollars for the Dustless Dusters we sold for her, and I want her to sign a contract to make more and for us exclusively. If you have any more such inspirations come to me and I will give you my support." He handed Louise the check and with a friendly "good day" was gone leaving Walter stunned with surprise. Taking his wife again into his arms, he said, "I didn't know I had such a clever little wife. From all indications it appears that our Money Moon has started to shine at last, dear, and our dreams may come true yet." "Yes Walter, but it has been the spirit of unselfish love and work that has caused it to shine." Provo, Utah Index for Volume 27 For those of our subscribers who desire to bind the Improvement Era, Volume 27, closing with this number, we have prepared an elaborate index which will be sent free upon application to all who apply. Send a postal card giving your name and address.