The Argosy for May — page 132: what you’re looking at

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

WHY GALWAY LOST HIS TEMPER. He was very careful, now, to examine the full length of the rear of the store, and at last discovered a short flight of stairs, at the top of which appeared a counter that looked as_if it might lend itself to repairing. Galway presented counter in due course. low ‘as he spoke. ‘Is this the repair department?’ he inquired. “Yes, sir. What can I do for you?” “TIT am_ glad,” commented Galway, ‘that, after several trips up and down your store, and after mounting innumer- able stairs, I have at last found the place I want. It does seem strange that in an establishment like this a man can- not be properly directed in the first place, I—” ‘“T am very sorry, sir, that you have been put to any inconvenience, and if you will make a complaint at the man- ager’s office, the firm will be under obligation to you. Who directed you wrongly?” ‘A greatly overdressed man, who stands at the front of -the store, in the first place, and the same individual in the second place. You are the first in- telligent employee I have met in the establishment.” “Do as I suggest, sir, and I assure you the person who is responsible will be severely reprimanded. And _ now, what can I do for you?” ‘T have here,” said Galway, ‘a card- case made by your firm, and which I cherish very highly. The lining has worn out, and I have brought it here to be repaired. I trust that you will be as expeditious as possible.” The young man behind the counter took the case in his hands, and held it a moment with a perplexed look on his face. Then he spoke hesitatingly : “Tam very sorry, sir, again to put you to trouble, but, you see, this depart- ment does all the repairing except—this fine leather-work. You will find that department on the south side of the building.” It was now that Galway forgot all himself at this His voice was about the pleasurable evening in store - for him, and ceased attempting to con- trol his wrath. “ Again!” he cried. ‘‘ Whoever heard 319 of an establishment like this dividing up its departments in that way. Here, you,” he called to a young man passing at that moment, “you look as though you had some authority in this place. Tell me the name of the clothes-model who stands at the front of the store, and tell me this man’s name who refuses to repair my card-case, and tell me who is the proper person to whom a com- plaint should be made of carelessness and—”’ | Of course, Galway carried the thing too far. But remember his temper— and the heat. The passing young man, whom Gal- way had grasped by the arm, forcefully removed the hand, and looked at the customer from head to foot. “If you will be calm a moment,” he said slowly, “I will be glad to answer any questions you may ask.” But the fact that the other had ac- tually taken hold of him made Galway more incensed than ever. “And you might include your own name, also, young man,’ he exploded. “T am not accustomed to being taken hold of by jewelry salesmen.” ““My name is Prentice,” replied the other, “and I am hardly a salesman— but that does not matter. If you do not desire to talk reasonably, I will show you to the department which will attend to your card-case — and suggest that you go to Mr. Crofty himself with your complaint. He is at present some fifty miles from any railroad, in the Adirondacks — you might possibly have assumed a rational bearing by the time you reached him. This way, sir.” Galway was a really decent fellow; and as he followed Prentice, muttering that he would immediately leave the place were it not for the fact that Crofty & Co. had made the case, he be- gan to realize that he had been a little hasty. There was no evidence of repentance in his bearing, however, as he handed over the card-case to the proper per- son, left his, name and address, and quitted the store. Outside, the sun was blistering hot, and it was not until Galway had some- what cooled his burning body by means of a cold glass of mineral water that he MICLOOOKS (C@