The Argosy, Vol. 82 No. 4 — page 197: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

YOUNG his hand outstretched. . Then he walked over to his son. “You—you make me this offer, after what I did?” he faltered. “Why not, daddy? It’s not sentiment, it’s business.” Handworth was smiling at the two. “Yes, Mr. Cameron, and you have a son of whom you can be justly proud. Here’s our proposition. We offer you ten thou- sand in cash, or, as we prefer, the same amount in stock!” “In this concern?” gasped the old man. His son smiled. “Sure,” he said, tersely, ‘‘and if you want my advice this time, daddy—”’ But he got no further. ““Give me the pen,” cried Bruce Cameron. “So that’s what the C. H. C. Department Stores meant,” he muttered, ‘‘Cameron, Handworth and Company, eh?” Both Handworth and Benny smiled broadly. “Not on your life, daddy,” broke in his son, ““C. H. C. means, just this—Cameron, Handworth and Cameron! I knew when I started that you would be with me—event- ually!” “You—darn it,” ejaculated his father, BLOOD. 763 “don’t tell me too much all at once. I’m too old to take it all in.” “The best of it is to come, daddy,” went on Benny, as he pulled a paper from his pocket. ‘Listen, here’s what will make the populace sit up, and take notice. It is a ‘scoop,’ and the papers will run it in double column. Are you ready?” For five minutes he read the first para- graph, then, as his father’s eyes grew puz- zled, he held up his hand. ‘Just a moment, daddy, here’s the punch. ‘And all the time, the public has in reality been purchasing from the original Bruce Cameron, although they did not realize it. He has been behind the new and wonderful C. H. C. Stores in the person of his son. To say that such an advertising scheme is origi- nal is putting it mildly. He surely is the same shrewd old business man that Water- burg loves, and the Bugle hopes that he will continue to prosper all the time! He is the secretary of the Cameron-Handworth-Cam- eron Stores. Long life to him!’ ” “What do you think of it, Mr. Cam- eron?”’ asked the president. “T’m beyond the power of thinking,” the old man said quietly, leaning over and stroking his son’s cheek. THE POWER OF PRAISE LITTLE word of praise—what joy it brings, And how it cheers the very soul of things! ’Mid starless night, ’mid sunless day, ’Mid dust and thorns along life’s way, A word of praise—and lo, About us lilies blow! A little word of praise—how quickly said, How far its kindly influence is shed! The pain, the grief, corroding care, Life’s loneliness, so hard to bear; A word of praise—and then The world is glad again! A little word of praise—we cannot know The bounds to which the spoken thought may go; For words have wings of wo or weal, And thoughts have power to harm or heal; A werd of praise—a gem In Fortune’s diadem! A little word of praise—so short the time Ere it will be too late to heed this rime; Go forth and find some weary soul Where raging seas of sorrow roll; A word of praise—and “ Peace!” Shall bid the tempest cease. Clarence Urmy COMMICOOOKS (©