Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 138: what you’re looking at

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

- Memphis attending a convention of the ‘Lions’ Club and no new business would be undertaken until his return. At a third -___ Store, it developed that the head of the de- partment had Rotary tendencies that had called him away and the assistant in charge always allowed his chief to pass upon con- The mobile legs that were. Charlie Chong’s sagged wearily as he crossed Pine Street into Chinatown. The nimble brain __ was fagged as he slumped into his chair to - take up his writing brush and begin the day’s editorial duties. The balloon of his hope had burst like a pin-pricked toy and he plumbed the nadir of disillusionment. The trivial gossip of his people cloyed as he - wrote its details and the creaking stairs, heralding the coming of a visitor, pierced = grateful ears, 2 He raised jaundiced eyes to meet the hol- = low orbs of Bong Lee, his former schoolmas- ter. It was this same Bong Lee whose flaw- filled logic had failed to see the possibility of exhausted advertising appropriations and conventions of Lions and Rotarians. ‘<T have good news for you,” the cadaver- ous scholar announced, after he had in- quired if his young friend continued to walk well. “Speak without hesitancy, worthy __ Bong,” said Charlie, “it will be the first to fall upon my ear to-day.” - Bong Lee glanced around as though he - feared some jealous listener might be con- -__cealed within the walls, and then in an awe- eS stricken whisper that rattled hoarsely: ~~“ The five and ten cent stores are go- ing to open a branch on Sutter Street next Saturday.” : Poised for a moment upon hope’s high peaks, Charlie Chong slumped back into his chair, disconsolate. oe “A news item, perhaps, but—”’ He made = a note or two in the running hand of the Chinese script. “Their advertising mana- ger is probably a Kiwanian and is attend- - Ing a convention in Duluth.” “A thousand pardons, but I do not un- derstand.” Bong’s bony brow wrinkled. “Their advertising appropriation proba- ply is exhausted completely,” the young ‘man went on in utter dejection. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “The royal highway of pessimism leads — straight to the kingdom of failure,” quoted Bong Lee from one of the minor sages of the Chow dynasty, “ and what is that fan quai saw? If at first you do not succeed—” ‘“That’s just what I am going to do,” cried Charlie Chong, untwining his legs from his chair rungs and leaping to his feet. “You say that you have a flare for letters— try your hand at those ‘ Chinatown Chat- terings ’—neighborhood gossip—make it zippy, but at the same time avoid libel.” ‘“‘T have several things that I would like to print about that wretched old fraud, Ho Si Bing—” Bong Lee began, a delighted smile lighting up the cavernous depths of his eyes. ‘‘ That turtle’s son has been im- posing too long upon—”’ “Keep your private fights out of the paper, learned sir,”’ broke in the young edi- tor, “I have enough irate subscribers to meet without taking on any ancient feuds. Besides, Ho Si Bing is a friend of mine.” Gathering up the rejected advertisement he had prepared for Jones & Co., Charlie Chong hurried to the office of Harry Est- court, publicity manager for the chain stores. Admitted to the presence of that important — personage he spread the page of drafted Chinese characters upon a wide desk top. ‘What is it?” Estcourt asked with a grin. ‘‘ Master sheet of to-day’s lottery drawing? I never gamble.” Charlie Chong gave no heed to this quip, but launched into the well-rehearsed speech he had prepared for Jones & Co.’s publicity chief. The grin that had wrinkled Est- court’s face relaxed as he listened to the young man’s talk. Then his brows knitted in serious attention. “You are opening a new store on the edge of the Chinese section,’ Chong said in conclusion. ‘ Our people are steady and thrifty buyers—and always for cash.” ‘A practical idea on the face of it,” Est- court admitted, as the young man paused for breath. “It might be an experiment worth trying. What’s your rate?” “Two dollars an inch.” : * Circulation?” ‘““ Twenty-five thousand in San Francisco 3 and the Bay district. Ten thousand scat-— tered in the country.” 3 comicbooks. . 4 ent > ee em Ng tags = ~ or = P (axl le, See J ~~ -* > ¥ > Wicca ley