Presto

November 5, 1927
P R E S T O-T I M E S
AMPICO ON S. S. CALIFORNIA
INSPECTED BY GREEK AGENT
THINGS SAID O R SUGGESTED
The piano was delivered and the bill duly mailed
to
friend husband. But there was no answering
A certain Wabash avenue piano man who could
never be charged with overdressing is very proud check. Instead, the good earner sent a three month's
of a suit of black serge he bought at a clearance note. He had the note habit. At the expiration of
sale last spring. He has worn the suit to business the three months came the request for a renewal. He
every day since and it has lots of wear in it yet. As got it. Another three months, another renewal and
he labors for the most parl in a desk chair, that por- so on for a couple of years. Mr. Droop considered
tion of the suit in constant contact with the leather there was nothing else to do. He liked the man and
the family which seemed to grow more extravagant
chair seat has taken on a very high gloss.
every day.
One day recently he got the suit pressed. The
One day he encountered the man on the street
tailor made a fine job of it, bringing out all the orig-
inal artistic lines. The owner was exhibiting the near the store. After the usual commonplace greet-
result to an admiring group in the wareroom. All ings he remarked that the perpetually blooming piano
note was due in a day or two. Money was deucid'y
agreed it was as good as new and the opinions of
the good dressers gave him satisfaction—until a man scarce. Couldn't he have a renewal?
from the repair department joined the group of
"I suppose you can," said Mr. Droop resignedly.
admirers.
"But," he added with a quizzical smile, "I won't
" Tis certainly all right," admitted the repair man charge you any more interest on that note."
as the suit owner rotated before him. "Hut," he
"I'm sure that's very kind and considerate of you,"
added, "why in Sam Hill didn't you get the tailor to was the man's thankful murmur.
restore the French finish to the seat of the pants?"
"Xo," continued Mr. Droop, "I won't charge you
* * *
any more interest on that note, hut I'll have to charge
Don't put off anything until tomorrow what you you up with the storage of it."
can do today—except worry.
The story had a happy sequel. A couple of week's
* * *
following Mr. Droop's bit of satire he got a check
for the full amount. At a social gathering a year
REFORMING A SPENDTHRIFT.
George P. Bent's visit to Chicago this week was later the man drew him into a corner and shook both
the occasion of a reunion of veterans of the trade of his hands warmly as he said effusively: "Droop,
and industry and as usual the talk turned to rem- I've got to thank you for something."
iniscences. An allusion to the late Edward F. Droop,
The piano man. thinking of the much renewed
founder of the flourishing house of E. F. Droop & note, said "forget it" or more dignified words to that
Sons, Washington, D. C, was a reminder of many a effect.
humorous remark and quip hy him. Mr. Droop was a
"Yes, I've got to thank you," persisted the man.
man of bluff heartiness. His wit was ever sweetened
"That jolt you gave me about charging for the stor-
with good nature. Once in a while it had a shaft of
age of my note set me thinking. I held a meeting
satire that was jolting to the object.
with myself and handed myself an impeachment.
The wife of a prominent Washington man came Then I appointed myself chancellor of the ex-
to the Droop store one day and selected a piano. chequer and shaved all appropriations for myself and
"Cash? Why certainly! Send the bill to my hus- family to the bone. I've cleared off all debts and
band," was the nonchalent reply to the natural ques- I'm paying cash for everything today. Shake!"
tion of the salesman.
* * *
The husband was prominent without a doubt. He
The
cornet
salesman
finds an occasional toot a
was a professional man who made a big income.
necessity.
Hut, although he actually shoveled money in the
direction of the domestic coffers it never found a
resting place there. Every shovelful was intercepted
GIVES GULBRANSEN CONCERT.
by the ladies of the family. But they caught the
The E. H. Hancock Music Co., Seymour, Ind.,
coin with the sieve of extravagance. Poof! Tomor-
row it was gone. Then, the prominent citizen was a gave a concert recently at the Methodist Episcopal
Church at which three hundred persons were in
grand little spender himself.
The "cash sale" incident was brought to Mr. attendance. It was the first of a series of similar
Droop's notice in the usual course of business. After concerts planned by Mr. Hancock who is a demon-
a moment's smiling reflection he recorded his ap- strator of the musical merits of the Gulbransen
Registering piano. He has the further advantage
proval. To Mr. Droop as well as to many business
men in Washington, the ability of the lady's hus- of having a son who is exceptionally talented as a
band to make money was well known. But so also violinist. The instrument used at the Hancock con-
was the lavishness of his wife and daughter in spend- cert was a Gulbransen Suburban Model Registering
ing it a notorious fact. The consequence was that piano in walnut. T. W. Perkins, of the Gulbransen
a good money maker was always short; always had Company, made a few opening remarks and also in-
somebody pressing him for the settlement of debts. troduced each number with a few fitting words.
.ILL
RIGHT—BUT.
Interesting Letter from John Bentivoglio Co. De-
scribes Condition of Instrument on World Tour.
In connection with the world tour of the steamship
"California," on which a Knabe Ampico was placed
before leaving New York, Wm. Knabe & Company
are the recipients of a most interesting letter from
their agents in Athens, the John l'.entivoglio Co.,
reading as follows:
I went on board the steamer California together
with my uncle and inspected the Knabe Anipico, and
Ampin
JOHN RKXTIVOGLIO.
Representative in Athens, (Jreece.
1 a;n very much pleased to tell that we found it in
perfect order as regards the operation of the Ampico.
Only the connecting plug was slightly worn which
we quickly made right.
On this occasion and after such a difficult test, we
are glad to tell you again that we are proud of the
Knabe Ampico. It cannot be surpassed, and in say-
ing this you may be sure that we do not exaggerate,
as we have had the opportunity to become familiar
with almost all of the American pianos as well as the
European.
H. H. BRADLEY SELLING SCHILLERS.
The many friends of H. H. Bradley, who for many
years was wholesale traveler out of Chicago for the
Chase-Hackley Piano Company, will be pleased to
learn that he is still in the piano game. Mr. Bradley,
who spent the summer at a northern Wisconsin re-
sort, is now selling Schiller pianos and makes his
Chicago headquarters at the Schiller offices, ninth
floor of the Republic Building. It is hard to keep a
good piano man out of the business and just now the
trade needs any number of pushing, persistent men
of Mr. Bradley's type.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER HELPS SALESMEN
Outside Salesmen must be equipped so as to "show the goods." The season for country piano selling is approaching. Help your sales-
men by furnishing them with the New Bowen Piano Loader, which serves as a wareroom far from the store. It is the only safe
delivery system for dealers, either in city or country. It costs little. Write for particulars.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER CO.,
Winston-Salem, N. C.
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