Abe and Mawruss: Being Further Adventures of Potash and PerlmutterGlass, Montague
General
Abe and Mawruss: Being Further Adventures of Potash and Perlmutter
Glass, Montague
Clothing trade -- New York (State) -- New York -- Fiction; Jews -- New York (State) -- New York -- Fiction
"A salesman!" Katzberg exclaimed. "Why, we don't want no----"
Shapolnik turned on him with a glare.
"Katzberg," he said, "them samples you are working on we got to show the
Magnet Store this afternoon yet."
Katzberg shrugged his shoulders and returned to his pressing, while
Shapolnik drew forward two rickety chairs and a packing-box.
"Have a seat, Mr. Potash; and Mr. Cohen, too," he said.
"Koblin," Abe corrected.
"Koblin," Shapolnik repeated. "Excuse me."
He went to a closet in the corner, and unlocking it he exposed the
fashionable suit that he had worn at Potash & Perlmutter's the previous
afternoon. From the right-hand waistcoat pocket he took a red-banded
invincible and handed it to Abe.
"Have a smoke, Mr. Potash?" he said. Abe examined the cigar closely and
tucked it carefully away. Then he produced three panatelas, handed one
each to Sidney and Shapolnik and lit the other himself.
"About this here salesman, Mr. Potash," Shapolnik commented. "I think I
changed my mind."
Abe blew a great cloud of smoke before replying and then he placed an
emphatic forefinger upon Shapolnik's knee.
"A new beginner when he throws bluffs, Shapolnik," he said, "must got to
make good. You told me yesterday you wanted a salesman and I am bringing
him to you."
Shapolnik blushed.
"Sure, I know I told it you, Mr. Potash," he said, "but my partner
thinks otherwise."
Abe nodded.
"The only use some people got for a partner, Shapolnik," he commented,
"is they could always blame him for everything they do; but even if you
did come in my place just to show me what an elegant suit of clothes and
a fine clean shave you got it, Shapolnik, I am bringing you a salesman
anyhow."
Katzberg at this juncture again laid down his pressing iron and came
forward.
"Say, lookyhere, what is the use talking?" he cried. "We don't need a
salesman; and that's all there is to it."
"'S enough, Katzberg," Abe shouted. "You got a whole lot too much to say
for yourself for a new beginner. I ain't saying you need a salesman,
Katzberg; I am only saying that you are going to hire one, Katzberg. And
after you hire one you will quick need him."
Abe placed his hand on Sidney's shoulder.
"Here is a young feller which he ain't going to gamble _oder_ fool away
his time. He is going to sell goods," he declared. "He works for years
by the biggest raincoat house in the country, and he's got an
acquaintance among the retail clothing trade which it is easy worth to
you twenty-five dollars a week and the regular commissions."
"But we couldn't afford to pay no salesman twenty-five dollars a week,"
Shapolnik exclaimed.
"Try me just one week," Sidney said, "and I'll bring in enough cash to
pay my salary."
"I forgot to say," Abe interrupted, "that he's also got a lot of
confidence in himself."
"Maybe I have," Sidney retorted: "but I'm going to make good."
"Certainly you are," Abe added, rising from his chair; "and now,
Katzberg, the whole thing is settled."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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