PRESTO-TIMES
October 1, 1927
BIG LOS ANGELES
STORE ADDS PIANOS
THINGS SAID O R SUGGESTED
THE DOUBLE CROSS.
Abou Ben Adhem, dealer of Swilkoot, awoke one
night from a deep dream of loot, in which, by meth-
ods foxy, he alone secured the school board contract
for the Anviltone; a lemon stencil, which his sales-
men mocked, teachers derided and the tuners
knocked.
Spake he: "I'll oil afresh my graft machine, and
slip those school board geezers some long green.
The kale discreetly planted, votes will sway." So
Abou laid the wires to bribe his way. His slick
devices bearing on the job, by means corrupt he
rounded up the mob.
At last he cried: "The game is mine! Alone, I've
cinched the contract for the Anviltone." Again he
dreamed. Alas, for human aims! The bribed board
voted. And among the names of those which "also
ran"—of the distressed; Abou's Anviltone led all
the rest.
* * *
Let's see. What's the name of that new wiggly
dance? No, not the one invented last week, you
slow jay.
* * *
all personal nomenclature and is referred to as "the
party."
A similar oddity obtains as to the mine itself. It
is not so called unless it is a "producer." When on
the market for sale, lease or bond or seeking capital
for development work it is inyariably spoken of as a
"proposition."
* * *
A second piano bought on the installment plan
led to the discovery of the double life of a Denver
man. When a man lives a double life he may have
to do two men's work and ten men's lying. So what's
the use?
* * *
A peculiarity of a lot of musical comedy is that
it contains no music and less comedy.
* * *
BRAM COME CL'AR.
John Roach, the Oak Hill, Mo., dealer, employs a
colored man named Bram Stokes, who is a jewel.
He can polish a piano, hitch it on a Bowen Loader
and deliver it safely over the most primitive Ozark
trails, tend garden, chauf the car and help Mrs.
Roach in odd jobs around the Roach home, in addi-
tion to heterogeneous duties in the store.
One night recently Bram failed to show up at the
NEW MEXICO MEANINGS.
Fred Buckwalter, a new piano salesman with a residence after the store closed. It was a most
state-wide commission for the Riedling Music Co., unusual thing for him and a matter of surprise to
Albuquerque, N. M., sauntered into the office of the Mrs. Roach. Mr. Roach recalled that the admirable
Brent House in San Jara one day a little while after Bram was plainly depressed during the day at the
his arrival from Fall River, Mass. San Jara is a store and coupled the fact with his strange failure
to show up at the house for the chores after closing.
mining town in the Mimbres Range.
When Bram appeared about 10 o'clock an expla-
"Want to register?" asked the clerk, by way of an
nation
was expected. He was there right with it.
opening.
His depression was gone and smiling from ear to ear
''I don't think so," said the piano salesman. "I've with returned good humor he explained:
only got to meet a party here at noon."
"Yo, all's gotter 'scuse me fo' 'vaquatin' de chores
"Meet a party!" echoed the clerk and five office tonight. Dey had me up befo' de church fo' dancin'."
loungers in chorus. The salesman was annoyed.
"Why, Bram, you up for dancing!" exclaimed Mrs.
Why shouldn't he meet a party if he wanted to?
Roach. "I'm surprised at you, a Christian. But of
"Yes, meet a party. What of it?" he asked hotly, course you weren't guilty."
"Yassam, yassuh. I was guilty of dancin' an' dey
forgetting the New Mexico amenities.
"Might the consideration be that proposition out done proved it on me, too," laughed the backslider.
Santa Rita way?" asked the clerk. The loungers "But I come cl'ar. I got good frens what stood clost
by me. Yassuh."
cocked their ears for the answer.
"I see. Character evidence," remarked Mr. Roach.
"No," said Mr. Buckwalter, realizing the wisdom
"Yassuh. It was lak dis. When dem other nig-
of accepting the frank Western manner, "my pros- gahs done testified ag'inst me, my frens all got up
pect is from Antelope Pass. His name is Kennedy and testified dat, though it was true I done danced,
and he's to produce the price of a playerpiano I've I was so drunk at de time I didn't know what I was
got at the depot."
a-doin' of. So I come plumb cl'ar and de preachah
"Shucks!" said the clerk and the loungers disgust- an' deacons all 'scused me!"
edly as they turned away.
* * *
Later on Mr, Buckwalter learned a curious thing.
In addition to its well known abilities as a talker,
In New Mexico a bit of legal phraseology is used money can also fly.
to distinguish those concerned in a mining deal. He
* * *
with whom you have dealings connected with the
The reckless chauffeur doesn't remain wreckless
animal or vegetable kingdom or manufactured things
like a piano, is a man. But if the deal is as to things very long.
* * *
metalliferous the absent, be he "foe or victim," loses
Don't mistake discontent for ambition.
Following the Example of Walker Company,
Broadway Department Store Decides to
Install General Music Goods Section
and Plans Addition to Provide Space.
STARR MANAGER PLEASED
Other Items of Trade Interest from Southern Cali-
fornia City Show the Activity of Firms
and Individuals There.
By GILBERT BRETON.
The principal news of interest in Los Angeles
this week is the report that the Broadway Depart-
ment Store at Fourth and Broadway, following the
example of Walker's Department Store, has decided
to add pianos, radios and Victrolas to its furniture
department. The Broadway Department Store, it is
rumored, has decided to build an addition during the
coming year, costing several hundred thousand dol-
lars, to contain the furniture and piano department;
also a recital hall for concerts and other entertain-
ments, and eventually a free musical course to those
who purchase pianos from their stock.
Busy Starr Manager.
The Starr Piano Co. reports a substantial business.
Manager Robinson, who is very enthusiastic about
the improved condition of business, could hardly
find time to grant an interview, but between dic-
tating letters, said:
"Our business, particularly
in Concert grands and 'small Period grands,' is on
the increase. The new Glissando piano attachment
is creating marked attention. The device allows
players of mediocre ability to product effects which
only proficient pianists can produce. In this he was
supported by Sales Manager Ilann.
J. T. Fitzgerald, president of the Fitzgerald Piano
Co., has returned from his two months' vacation on
the northwest coast and now is at his desk as usual.
The Fitzgerald Piano Co. is showing a very unique
upright finished in Chinese design, dark background
with a highly guilded ornamentation, which is at-
tracting great attention in the main show window
of the Hill street store.
Praise for George H. Barnes.
President George H. Barnes of the Barnes Piano
Co., who has been delegated to put the new check
protection association in operation, has received the
well-earned commendation for his zeal in introducnig
this method, which will save thousands of dollars to
the merchants of Los Angeles.
Fine Wiley B. Allen Sale.
W. J. Moning, manager of the piano department
of the Wiley B. Allen Co., recently sold a concert
grand Mason & Hamlin piano to provide accompani-
ments for soloists and the orchestra of GraumanV
Chinese Theater, Hollywood. The sale is a very
important one and the Wiley B. Allen Co. feels highly
elated from the fact that every prominent piano rep-
resented in Los Angeles entered vigorously into the
contest. The Wiley B. Allen Co. furnished the
Mason & Hamlin to several prominent clubs and
(Continued on page 15.)
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