rected solemnly.

"I know it, Abe," Morris rejoined; "but that was long since many years
ago already. _Now_ is another time entirely in New York City; and
anyhow, with such names what we got it in our books, Abe, you shouldn't
have no trouble remembering Ralph."

"Sure not," Abe agreed, dismissing the subject. "So, I'll call him Ike.
For two weeks he wouldn't mind it."

Morris shrugged. "For my part, you can call him Andrew Carnegie," he
said; "only, let's not stand here talking about it all day, Abe. I see
by the paper this morning that Marcus Bramson, from Syracuse, is at the
Prince William Hotel, Abe, and you says you was going up to see him.
That's your style, Abe: an old-fashion feller like Marcus Bramson. If
you couldn't sell _him_ a bill of goods, Abe, you couldn't sell
_nobody_. He ain't no lady buyer, Abe."

Abe glared indignantly at his partner. "Well, Mawruss," he said, "if you
ain't satisfied with the way what I sell goods you know what you can do.
I'll do the inside work and you can go out on the road. It's a dawg's
life, Mawruss, any way you look at it; and maybe, Mawruss, you would
have a good time taking buggy rides with lady buyers. For my part,
Mawruss, I got something better to do with my time."

He seized his hat, still glaring at Morris, who remained quite unmoved
by his partner's indignation.

"I heard it what you tell me now several times before already, Abe," he
said; "and if you want it that Max Tuchman or Klinger & Klein or some of
them other fellers should cop out a good customer of ours like Marcus
Bramson, Abe, maybe you'll hang around here a little longer."

Abe retorted by banging the show-room door behind him, and as he
disappeared into the street Morris indulged in a broad, triumphant grin.

When Abe returned an hour later he found Morris going over the monthly
statements with Ralph Tuchman. Morris looked up as Abe entered.

"What's the matter, Abe?" he cried. "You look worried."

"Worried!" Abe replied. "I ain't worried, Mawruss."

"Did you seen Marcus Bramson?" Morris asked.

"Sure I seen him," said Abe; "he's coming down here at half-past three
o'clock this afternoon. You needn't trouble yourself about _him_,
Mawruss."

Abe hung up his hat, while Morris and Ralph Tuchman once more fell to
the work of comparing the statements.

"Look a-here, Mawruss," Abe said at length: "who d'ye think I seen it up
at the Prince William Hotel?"

"I ain't no mind reader, Abe," Morris