“Well, that is what I call downright mean,” cried Matt to Andy. “Of course all these cracks at rival concerns are meant for us. He wants to draw the crowd away from us.”
“More than that, he is trying to scare them, so that if they won’t patronize him they won’t purchase anywhere,” returned the senior partner. “It is certainly not a fair way to do.”
“Can’t we stop, him, Andy?”
“I don’t see how. He has mentioned no names.”
Andy began to talk, but as he was inside of the store while Gissem was outside, very few of the people on the street were attracted. They made several sales to those inside, but after the purchasers were gone the store was empty. In the meantime, the next place was filled to overflowing.
“Let us give them a tune,” suggested Matt. “I see our rivals have no musical instruments.”
He brought out a banjo, and Andy took up the largest accordion in the place. Sitting down in a 263 spot from which the music could float out of the door, they played several of their best selections.
The music pleased many people. They stopped listening to Gissem, and after some hesitation several came in. More followed, and seeing this, Matt and Andy kept on until the store was once more filled.
Then Matt began to talk. He made no wild statements, but in an earnest manner told what they had to sell, and asked those around him to examine the goods carefully.
“That fellow next door said to beware of rival concerns,” remarked a man in the crowd slyly, and several smiled at the words.