Opening night came at the new store, Sat.u.r.day being selected. Over the doorway was an electric sign--

WELCOME TO ALL

Mr. Strout's store was nearly deserted. About ten o'clock Abner came in.

"I say, Strout, it's just scrumptious. They got three times as many goods as you have. An' there's a smoking room back of the store with a sign over the door _'Exclusively for Loafers. Loaf and Enjoy Your Soul.'_ They say a poet feller named Whitman writ that last part.

Sat.u.r.day morning is to be bargain day and everything is to be sold at half price. And, say, isn't the hotel fine? Everybody was invited upstairs, an' there was a free lunch spread out."

"Abner, you've talked enough. You'd better go home."

The warfare continued for three months. At the end of the first, Hiram Maxwell, an old soldier, was appointed postmaster, _vice_ Obadiah Strout. At the end of the second month Mr. Strout resigned his position as organist and the gentleman who led the orchestra that played during the evening at the hotel was chosen in his stead. At the end of the third month a red flag was seen hanging at the door of Mr. Strout's store and Mr. Beers the auctioneer whose once rotund voice had now become thin and quavering, sold off the remaining stock and the fixtures. Then the curtains were pulled down and the door locked. The next day Mr. and Mrs. Strout and family left town.

"What's become of Strout?" Quincy asked his son, who had just returned from Fernborough. Another month had pa.s.sed since the auction sale.

"I heard he was seen on State Street a few days ago, and he said the best move he ever made was leaving that one-horse country town; that he could make more money in a day in State Street than he could in a month in the grocery business. It seems he has become what they call a curb broker or speculator."

"I am glad," said Quincy, "that Mr. Strout has found a more profitable and congenial field. It must have been very dull for him the last three months of his stay in that one-horse town."

CHAPTER x.x.x

TOM, JACK AND NED

Quincy decided to have his company incorporated. This necessitated visits to the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the Tax Commissioner.

The amount paid in cash capital was $200,000. Besides the four stores doing business, sixteen more were contemplated in Boston, Cambridge, Lowell, Lawrence, Fall River, New Bedford, and other small cities and large towns.

The design was not to form a trust with a view of controlling certain food products and raising prices, but to establish a line of stores in which the best grade at the lowest cash price should be the rule. This price was to be fixed for the Boston store and was to be the same in all the stores.

"Whom shall I put in charge of the Boston store, Quincy?" his father asked. "He will have to be general manager for the whole circuit."

"I know a man," said young Quincy, "who is honest, conscientious, and a perfect tiger for work, but he knows nothing about the grocery business.

He has adaptability, that valuable quality, but, while learning, he might make some costly mistakes."

"I want you to act as Treasurer for the company. It's your money, and you should handle it."

"I've no objection to drawing checks. We sha'n't have to borrow any money for there's half a million available any time. Why didn't you have a larger capital, father?"

"Because the State taxes it so heavily; but there's no tax on borrowed money. The fellow who lends pays that."

"If I loan money do I have to pay taxes on it when I haven't got it?"

"Certainly, and you pay just the same if there's no prospect of its ever being repaid."

"That's funny."

"Funny! Why, our Ma.s.sachusetts tax laws are funnier than a comic almanac, and about as sensible."

Quincy took up a pen and began writing.

"What are you writing, father?"

"I'll show you in a few minutes."

"How will that do?"

Quincy read:

QUINCY ADAMS SAWYER, _President_. QUINCY ADAMS SAWYER, Jr., _Treasurer_. THOMAS CHRIPP, _General Manager_. Cash Capital, $200,000.

Cable, _Vienna_. 20 _Stores_.

THE SAWYER GROCERY COMPANY, INC.

Wholesale and Retail.

"Just the man I had in mind, father. You can depend upon him every time, and he'll keep his subordinates right up to the mark."

Upon his return to his native state Quincy had found many of his old friends still in office. The governor and higher officials were only annuals--some not very hardy at that--while the minor officials, in many cases, were hardy perennials, whom no political hot weather or cold storm could wither or destroy.

A presidential campaign was on, and speakers, for there were few orators, were in demand. Quincy's visits to so many cities inspecting the Company's stores had brought him in contact with hundreds of local politicians. One day there came a call from the State Committee to come in and see the Secretary.

"Do you want to do something for the party?" asked Mr. Thwing, the Secretary.

"I have already subscribed," said Quincy. "Do you need more?"

"Money talks," said Mr. Thwing, "and so do you. I have a score of letters from different cities asking me to add you to our list of speakers, and to be sure and let the writers hear you."

"I had no intention--" Quincy began.

"You're an ex-governor, and know all the State. Aren't you in the grocery business in a big way?"

"Rather."

"'Twill boom your business in great style. Better even for groceries than boots and shoes, for food is a daily consumption."

"I wouldn't go on the stump just to advertise my business."

"Of course not. You would take just what the G.o.ds provided and ask no questions, and make no comments. Shall we put you down for, say, twenty nights?"

Quincy consented, but he stipulated that he was not to be placed in any city or town where he had a store.

Mr. Thwing vehemently objected. "Why, the men who want you to come live where the stores are."

"I can't help it. Put me in the next town, and if they're so anxious to hear me they'll come."