"All you've got to do, Mr. Potash, is to fill the orders," he said, extending his hand to Abe, "and I will do the rest. And now good-by and good luck to you."
He squeezed Abe's hand until it was completely numb, and with a parting nod to Miss Cohen, the bookkeeper, he started on his journey for the West.
"You would thought, Mawruss," Abe said afterward, "that he was staying home and that it was me what goes away on the trip."
"I wish you was, Abe," Morris replied fervently. "I ain't got no confidence in that feller at all."
"I wouldn't knock the feller until I seen what he could do, Mawruss," Abe said. "He promised me we should hear from him so soon as he gets there."
Four days later the expected mail arrived. Abe received the letter from the carrier and burst it open with his thumb. Then he drew forth the contents of the envelope and shook the folded sheet, but no order
slip fell out. He sighed heavily and perused the letter, which read as follows:
| Chicago, Ill., SEP. '08. | |
| MessPotash & Perlmutter | |
| Gents:—Arrived here this A M andthings look very promising. Am informed by everybody that business isgood on the coast and prospects of big orders also very promising. Saleshave been slow here on a/c weather is very hot. Miss Schimpfer asstbuyer millinary dept Mandleberger Bros & Co says things look verypromising and expects to do a big fall business. Was two hours lategetting in to Chicago on a/c freight wreck and missed seeing Kuhner hissister's daughter gets married and Kuhner goes to the wedding. Will seeKuhner to morrow A M and let you know results. Have appointment withChester Prosnauer to morrow A M and things look very promising there.Will write you to morrow. Regards to Mr. Perlmutter. Hoping thingsis all right in the store, I am, | |
| Marks Pasinsky. | |
Abe finished reading the letter and handed it in silence to Morris, who examined it closely.
"That's a very promising letter, Abe," he said. "I'd like to know what that feller done all day in Chicago. I bet yer that assistant millinery buyer eats a good lunch on us, Abe, if she didn't also see it a theayter on us, too. What does he think he's selling, anyway, Abe, millinery or cloaks?"