"But," said Charlie, "a citizen may be prominent without knowing much about bread. Incidentally, after those three prominent citizens have tested every loaf of bread, Heaven help the poor babies in the hospital who have to eat what is left! And, say, if my landlady were to bake a loaf of bread in this contest, there would be death at some one's doorstep. She can no more bake bread than I can fly." "Well," I remonstrated, "those people who can't bake bread won't send in loaves." "I am inclined to think," said Charlie, "that they are just the people who will. And, incidentally, you insist on every one buying a bread mixer before sending in a loaf. Why don't you try the same thing with ice cream freezers? Insist on them spending a few dollars to buy an ice cream freezer, and submit a dab of ice cream for a contest?" "I wish I had talked it over with you, now, Charlie," I blurted out. "So do I," said Charlie. Just then the telephone bell rang. Larsen answered and said it was for me. Mr. Barlow was at the telephone. "Say, Dawson," he began, "who worked up that brilliant ad. you have in the paper this morning?" "I did," I said, feeling pretty cheap, somehow. "Did you find the women all lined up on the doorstep this morning, ready to buy bread mixers?" he asked. "What's the matter with the idea?" I said. "Nothing, it's a great idea. I'm going to advertise traction engines among the farmers, and offer a prize of two eggs to the farmer who makes it hoe a row of potatoes quickest." "You are carrying the idea to a point of absurdity," I said. "What's the matter with my idea, anyhow?" "Ask Charlie Martin; I guess he can help you," he answered. "And say, Dawson, I don't want to hurt your feelings; but, if I were you, I would not try any more brilliant stunts without talking them over with Charlie or some one else first. The bulk of your ideas are fine, you know, but occasionally you slip a cog." I hung up the receiver, then turned to Charlie and said: "I thought I had a pretty good idea." "You had a good idea," he said, "but worked it out incorrectly. It is such a bald attempt to sell bread mixers. You don't give any reason why they should buy bread mixers. The only reason you ask them to buy the mixers is to enter the contest. Now, the better-class women won't do it, and the poorer people have not money to buy mixers." "I never thought of that," I said. "Then, again," said Charlie, "you have, or had, quite a good customer for hardware in the Empire Bread Company. I wonder what they will think of you urging people to stop trading with them?" "Good heavens!" I gasped. "I never thought of that, either." "Evidently not," said Charlie. "I am going right down to see them," I said, and I seized my hat and, before he could say another word, I was on my way to see Mr. Burgess of the Empire Bread Company.