Of course you
instructed your general manager."
"I don't know what you mean," said Quincy.
"Didn't you know when you spoke in places adjoining those in which
you had stores that your Mr. Chripp, I think that's the name--just
flooded the towns with circulars announcing that you were to speak
and that you were the President of the grocery company doing business
in the adjoining city, that your goods were the best, your prices the
lowest--and that your teams would deliver goods free of charge in all
places within five miles?"
Mr. Thwing stopped to take breath, and Quincy nearly lost his in
astonishment.
"Great business idea, Mr. Sawyer."
"I knew nothing about it. I should have stopped it had I known."
"Why so? You got a double ad. Bright man that Chripp. You'll have to
raise his salary."
Quincy did not reply. The deed was done, and a public explanation
would do no good. Chripp surely had his employer's interests at
heart, even if he had mixed politics and business rather too openly.
The next month's statement showed a great increase in trade. Mr.
Chripp was not called to account, but his salary was materially
increased at the suggestion of young Quincy.
The new President had been inaugurated, the Cabinet nominees
confirmed, and the distribution of political "plums" began. Quincy
felt that the lightning had struck in the wrong place when he was
approached and sounded as to whether he would accept a foreign
mission.
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