ds.

Perhaps it was just as well, for when a customer came into the store
and saw Stucker he thought it was raining outside.

Sam Lambert had always prided himself on keeping alive what he called
the "buying spirit" in the store.

Nowadays a customer got a sense of caution. The feeling was one of
disapproval of all extravagance.

Instead of purchasing a suit, the man wondered where his next month's
rent was coming from, bought a pair of cottonade pants and hurried
home.

Trade fell off steadily. Affairs went on this way for a twelvemonth
and then something happened.

Two of Sam's principal competitors were reported to be remodeling
their stores--and what was more, they were going to put in wardrobe
systems and carry all their garments on hangers.

This aroused Sam and he made an immediate investigation.

He found that one of the stores had contracted for the old type of
wooden wall cabinets where the clothes hung behind panelled doors.

But the other was installing glass wardrobes, where the stock would be
on view.

This discovery cut Sam like a knife.

He investigated further, and was delighted to find that his wardrobe
competitor, with the temptation to save a few dollars, had ordered a
second-rate type of glass wardrobe, with pull-out rods that swing
inside the case, without a locking device to prevent them from
breaking the glass.

Without saying anything to Stucker he telegraphed the best wardrobe
concern in the country to send their representative at once.

CHAPTER III.

At eleven o'clock the following day a quiet man wearing double-lens
spectacles and a pre-occupied air came into the store, asked for Mr.
Lambert and was directed to the rear where Stucker was showing Sam the
wisdom of leaving the night covers over the black goods during the day
to protect the stock from dust.

Sam was so keyed up on the wardrobe question that he heard only about
half that Stucker was saying.

When the man with the spectacles arrived Sam guessed his mission
without waiting for a word of greeting.

"You," said Sam, "are here to talk wardrobes; let's see what you've
got."

"Before I talk wardrobes, or, if you please, the New Way system,"
began the salesman, "I would prefer to get a fair idea of the amount
and kind of stock you carry and how you care for it now."

"Just as I thought," interrupted Stucker. "You're afraid our stock is
too big for your wardrobe capacity.

"Well, I don't want to discour