A Daughter and Business

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7, 14 August 1912, Page 49

A Daughter and Business

By

/TA R. LEVINE, of Levine and) Co., All a named Sophie, jj I / a tea-gown factory in Broome / Street, a young salesman by the name of Abey Harris, and a crotchety disposition. The treason Air. Letvine disliked Abey Harris was that he thought Abey Harris presumptuous 1 , supercilious, overbearing, frivolous, forward, and unwarrantably olfensive. The (reason Mr. Levine had a crotchety disposition could probably be found in his rheumatism. His reasons for having a tea-gown factory and a daughter named Sophie I have never been able to fathom. Abey Harris liked the teagown business so much that he had even proposed to Mr. Levine that he be admitted to partnership in the firm. And Die liked Sophie so much that he had confided to her father his willingness to marry her. The two propositions were (made upon the same day. There isn’t space to describe what happened that day, but the discoloration of Abey Harris’ eye disappeared after two weeks. The .relations bettween Air. Levine and Abey Harris were strained for a while, but eventually matters resumed their normal course, and it is barely possible that nothing ait all would have happened had not Katzenstein, of Katzenstein and Cohen, of Milwaukee, come to town. The firm of Katzenstein and) Cohen had but recently come into existence, and Mr. Levine was eager to secure their trade. There were perhaps forty other dealers in tea-gowns who were equally eager to sell itheir goods to Katzenstein ami Cohen:, but Katzenstein and Cohen were coy and canny, and hesitated to ally themselves exclusively with any single factory. “it would be a great thing,” said Mr. lovine to his salesmen, “if I could get their business. Not only for the money, but lit would make tire other fellows green with envy.” Then spake Abey Harris: “Supposing I go out and get him. Supposing I sell him a-big order. Supposing I get him to buy all his tea-gowns from Levine and Co. Supposing he is a big buyer, and you make a lot of money out of him. What do I get?” Mr. Levine did not even look at Abey Harris. Gazing at the group of salesmen who stood before him, he continued, as though Abey Harris had not spoken: “I know you’ve all tried and didn’t succeed, and I’ve got a feeling that Blumberg and Miller w ill get them. But i’ll toll you what I’ll do. The one who l gets Katzenstein is a member of <the firm a-s long as we keep him on our books.” Three of the salesmen began to don their hats and coats. “Wo will draw lots and take turns,” they agreed. Aibey Ilarnis doomed neither hat nor

coat. Hatless and in his shirt-sleeves lie ran all the way to the little hotel where Katzenstein was staying, and, without waiting to be announced, burs# impetuously into Mr. Katzensbein’s room. Katzenstein, a man of perhaps sixty years, with a long, gray beard and keen, blue eyes, was occupied 'hi assorting a heap of samples that Jay on the table before him. When Abey Harris entered he looked at him with a perfectly expressionless countenance. Abey Harris seated himself upon a sofa, and lit a cigarette. “My name’s Abey Harris,” he said. "I’m from Levine and Co. We can supply you with the finest line of tea-gowns in New York. We’ll make up for you just 'the kind of goods you want. We’ll fix a price that no other firm can beat. We’ll give you as much time for payment as any other first-class firm could afford to give. We want you for a regular customer. Now, Mr. Katzenstein, just slliake your head and say: 'No, thank you. I’m not going to buy exclusively- from one firm. Maybe I’ll drop in and take a look at what you’ve got, but I’m very busy now, and you’ll have do excuse me. Let’s get that part of it over wlith, and then I’ll go ahead.” Katzemstcin laid down the samples that he held in his hand, leaned hie elbow upon the table ami his head unon Ids hand, and, still without a tr;u preswion upon his face, said:

BRUNO LESSING

“Maybe you’d better go ahead first.” There eanie a rap upon the door, and a boy banded Katzemstein a carrj. Ho looked at A bey Harris. “It is a man from Levine and C 0.,” he solid. Abey Harris nodded. “Oh, that’s all right,’ he said. “I expect they’ll all be here in a little while. Mr. Levinc said that the man who got your trade regularly would be taken into the firm.” Kaizenstein smiled. It was an amiable smile, and it gave Abcy Harris hope. “Tell the gentleman to wait,” said Katzens'tein to the boy. “So,” he went on, turning to his visitor, “I’m to buy from your firm and you are to get the order, and then they make you a partner. Yes?” “That's it exactly,” said Abey Harris. ’‘You have a quirk mind, Mr. Katzenstein. I like to deal with a gentleman, who has brains.” A twinkle eanie into Katzenstein’s eyes. “Abey Harris,” he said, “we are trying :to build up a big retail business

in Milwaukee, and we have lots of trouble in getting good salesmen’. If you will come out to Milwaukee I will give you a better job than you have here, and if you show as much smartness in selling things for me as you do for Mr. Levine, you will have just as good a chance to get into the firm some day.” Abey Harris blushed with pleasure, but slowly shook Iris head. He., arose and shook hands with Katzenstein. “Mr. Katzenstein,” said he, “you are a gentleman of twenty-four carats, You’re fine. But I can’t do it.” “Are you so mticli in love with Mr. Levine that you could,n’t bear to leave him?” asked Katz.eneite.iu sareaslidally. Abey Harris looked into those blue eyes, hesitated an instant, and then, drawing out his watch, opened the case, and, will tout a word, held before Katzenstein a coloured miniature of a girl’s face. Katzenstein’s brow wrinkled. “1 don’t understand ”'hc bcgsui. “>Soplii'e Levine,” said Abey Harris (amply. .The lid gentleman looked mt

him. There was something boyishly frank and simple in Abey Harris’ face that must have stirred in Katzenstein’s breast long-forgotten memories, for as he looked into the young man’s eyes a dimness eame over his own.

“The father objects?” asked K-atzen-steiin softly. Abey Hairris nodded. “Ami the girl—she is willing?” “Crazy about it,” said Abey Harris grimly. Katzenstein scratched his head, gazed ruefully at the heap of samples upon the table, and then arose and began to put on his hat and coat. “Take me to .Mr Levine,” he said. Abey Harris’s heart began to beat so tumultuously that he—but I must be brief. I shall have to omit all unnecessary descriptions, all psychological analyses, and all philosophical and didactic comments. Yet it would be intensely interesting to describe Abey Harris’s feelings when he felt that the longing of his life was about to be gratified. And even more interesting to describe the sensations of the three salesmen of Levine and Co. who were waiting below when they beheld Katzenstein in the company of the hatless ami coatless Abey Harris. But I control myself ami hurry forward. “Mr Levine,” said Katzenstein, when the formality of introduction was over, “I have come to make you a proposition. If you will make goods according to our orders, give us the same mice that

we have always paid to your competitors—you can see our books and givw us the same time for payment as thj others always have and take Abey Harris into partnership and let him marry youf daughter—if she is willing—Katzenstein and Cohen will deal with you exclusively and give you all their tea-gown trade.” The emotions that choked Mr Levine, the expression that came into his face, the things he said to Katzenstein and the things he said to Abey Harris, eould not be adequately described in less than two pages. And yet I skip them entirely. Besides, Mr I.evine eventually got over it, and the usshot of it all was that he consented to the entire arrangement. “Sophie,” he said to his (laughter that night, “Abey Harris wants to marry you. Are you willing?” Sophie looked at her father for a long time before she lowered her eyes and murmured: "If you. want me to, papa. I will do whatever you wish.” Hope kindled quickly in Mr Letine'a

bosom. "No, no,” he said. “T want you to marry the man you love. Far be it from me to ask you to marry a man to please mo. You have only to say that you would rather not marry Abey Harris and I am just as well pleased and we will drop the whole subject.” Then Sophie looked up with dancing eyes. “I wouldn't say anything of the kind,” she said. “Abey Harris is a perfect dear.” 1 Papa Levine groaned and smoked his pipe all that evening without saying another word. The next day Abey Harris was admitted to the firm, and at the same time his engagement to Miss Sophie Levine was publicly announced. Mr Levine did not like Abey Harris one whit the more for all this; on the contrary, ho constantly chafed under the conditions which Katzenstein had imposed. But the orders of Katzenstein and Cohen came in regularly and wero pretty big and profitable orders, ami Levine submitted with the same grace with which he submitted to his rheumatism. Katzenstein came to New York regularly every month ifor four months, and his visit was always followed by a bi'* order for tea-gowns. One dav, however, a dapper young man, with heavy, blackl’ eyebrows and an enormous diamomt scarf-pin, strolled into Mr Levine’s office, blew a cloud of cigar smoke into Mr M vine's face, and announced: “I’m Cohen, of Katzenstein and Cohen. Afy partner’s got the rheumatism and couldn’t come, so I’ve come instead to look over your stock.” 'Mr Levine greeted him effusively, “I am so glad to have the pleasure of making your acquaintance. Wo have had so mmh correspondence that T feel I have known you for many years. Give Mr Katzenstein my sympathy when yon go back. I know what rheumatism is. I have lots of trouble with it.” i Cohen took Mr Levine’s chair and placed his feet upon Mr Levine's desk. “I guess a little rheumatism won't do Katzy any harm,” he said. “He’s getting daffy in his old age. I don’t know whether you know it or not, but WO lose money every time we give you art order. Blumberg and Miller turn, out just as good a line as yours, and their terms are much better. But I'm an eitaygoing man. As long as Katzy takes the trouble to come on to New York every month 'he can do what he pleases; I hate New York.” Mr Levine’s heart, had begun to sink, but when Cohen had finished he felt relieved. “If you have nothing else to do to-night, Mr Cohen,” he. said, “suppose you come to my house for dinner and I will get some tickets for the theatre,” Cohen yawned. “All right,” he Said. “I’ve got nothing else to do. Besides, I’d like to see the little girl that makes so much trouble in the tea gown business.” A That night Cohen saw Sophie. And the moment he saw her he conceived a violent dislike for Abey Harris. The next night ho invited Mr Levine and Sophie to dine with him at a popular restaurant and deliberately omitted to invito Abey Harris. “Where’s Abey?” was the first question tfhat Sophie asked. Cohen assumed his most ingratiating smile. “Doesn’t Abey get enough bright glances from your eyes?” h,e asked. “He is entirely too lucky. Can you not span, a few for a poor visitor from Milwaukee who must go back in a few days, and, perhaps, never see you again?” Sophie Smiled upon him, and Cohen was dazzled. lie ordered dinner with a lavishness that made Mt Levine open hia eyes. "You spend money like water,” he said. “What else can I do,” replied Cohen, “to show Miss Sophie how muoli 1 think of her?” Sophie said nothing, but every little ■while she gazed furtively at her father, who Beemed to be plunged in thought, and each time she looked at him the little frown that had begun to appear upon her forehead grow deeper. Upon the following day Cohen sent Sophie more flowers than she had ever seen together at one time. Instead of remaining two days as he had originally intended, Mr Cohen remained two weeks, and during that lime lie called upon the Levines every day and took no pains to conceal the ravages that Sophie had made in his heart. Ono afternoon he took Mr Levine into a corner. “Mr. Levine,” he said, "I cannot keep the truth from yon any longer. I love your daughter. Blumberg and Miller are ready to give us a much lower price

than yours. It is for you to decide-” When Mr. Levine reached home that night he found Abey Harris and Sophie laughing merrily. For a moment he jaltered— they looked so happy. But then came the thought of the prestige he had won through securing the trade of Katzenstein and Cohen, and the dread of losing it -hardened his heart. ‘‘Sophie,” he said “ —and you too, Abey—listen to me. If you marry each other 1 lose Katzenstein and Cohen’s business. Air. Cohen wants to marry you, Sophie. If he doesn't he will ‘buy from Blumberg and Miller, Then the whole trade will laugh at me. So be a good girl, break oil with Abey Harris, and marry Cohen. You know you always said you would do what I wanted.” ■Sophie put her handkerchief to he: eves. “it is terrible,” she said. “How about the partnership'” asked Abey. Mr. Levine jumped at the opportunity. ‘‘Be a good boy, Abey, and give her up and you can stay in the firm. Though, of -course, you can't expect a percentage of Katzenstein and Cohen’s orders because I’m getting the business myself.” Abey scratched hi-s head thoughtfully and looked at the floor. “It’s a big business,” he said slowly, “and 'I d hate to see our firm lose it.” Mi 1 . Levine seized his hand. “That s the right way to look at it, Abey. I’m glad you put the firm before everything else. What do you say, Sophie?’ “Oh. if Abey is willing, I’m willing. Jf he gives me up so easily 1 would just as lief get engaged to Mr. Cohen. ’ “Business before pleasure, Sophie,” said Abey. “We ean’t- afford to lose Katzenstein and Cohen.” The next day Cohen called and proposed to Sophie, and Sophie smiled upon him. "Why. certainly I will marry you. Mr. Cohen,” she said.' "You write me a letter ami ask me to marry you. and JH write to you and say yes.” Cohen in the seventh heaven of delight, insisted upon writing the letter immediately, and then, advancing boldly, attempted to kiss her. But Sophie held him back. “Not yet,” she said, “Not for two months. I didn’t let Abey kiss me until we were engaged two months.’ ■Which was a lie, but did not Worry Cohen half so much as the thought that Abey had kissed her at all. “All right, Sophie,” he said. “Whatever you say goes. But .1 want to warn you that I have a terribly jealous nature, and the very thought that another man ever kissed you makes 'me feel terrible.” "You mustn’t be jealous,” Sophie eaid. “Lots of men have kissed me.”. Cohen winced, but said nothing. He had won her, and he must be content. That very night he wrote to his partner announcing his engagement and informing him that he had doubled his order for tea-gowns for that month. So Sophie and Cohen were engaged. Abey took his defeat quite good-na-turedly. “You sbe,’’. he explained to Air. Levine, “I am so much interested in the business that I would not let anything interfere with our success. Some day, when you pay off the people who are iu the company with you, I will be so valuable that you will make me an equal partner aiul change the name of the firm from Levine and Co. to Levine and Hanis. Don’t you see?” Mr. Levine nodded. "1 am beginning to think a great deal of you, Abey,” he said. “If yon will always keep the business first "in your mind and bring in a whole lot of orders, who knows but •what it will all come out just as you say!” Cohen, in the meantime, was doing his utmost to entert lin 'his fiancee, taking her out to dinner every night or to the theatre or for an automobile ride, and Sophie seemed to be enjoying herself hugely. To be sure, she would not permit him to hold her hand or to become at all demonstrative in bis affection, but upon the whole she seemed to be happy in his company, and he was satisfied until until the canker-worm of jealousy legan to gnaw into her heart. It began about the end of the first week of their engagement. They were •lining in a restaurant on Broadway when a lather good looking young mm approached their table ami stopped in sti rprise. “Well. If it isn't Sophie Levine!” lie cxchiimed. "How are you, Sophie? I'm awfully glad to see you! ’ Sophie uttered an exclamation of delight. “If it isn’t Sammy Levy!” she cried. “I'm awfully glad to see you, Sammy! ’

< For a while they clasped hands and looked into each other’s eyes. Then Sophie,' still holding the young man’s hand, introduced him to. Cohen, omitting to mention the fact that she was engaged to Cohen. • i' ’ brfi “Sit down, Sammy,” she said. “Have you had your dinner? I’m sure Mr. Cohen will be glad to have you dine with Air. Cohen was not glad, but he could do nothing else than murmur an unintelligible -assent. "Say, Sophie,” said Sammy Levy, -‘do you remember that day you and .1. '.vent to the picnic and ” “S-h-li-h!” said Sophie, placing her finger on his lips “you mustn’t tell tales!” Then they both laughed, and Cohen had to bite bis lips to keep from screaming out aloud. (In the way honid that night he upbraided 'Sophie for her conduct. “Yon seemed to like him better than you do me,” he said reproachfully. "You never even put your finger on my lips.” “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings, dear,” Sophie said lightly, "but 'I ean’t help Sammy being so good looking, can I? He’s an old friend of mine. Don’t you think he 'has the loveliest eyes?” Cohen hardly slept a wink that night. Jealousy, you know, is a very terrible — alas! I must be short. The next night Cohen was sitting with Sophie in the parlour when the bell rang and the maid announced Tony Seligman. Sophie became quite excited. “I’m just crazy to have you meet Tony,” she said to Cohen. “He was my first beau when I was a little girl.” Tony entered clad cap a-pic in automoboile armour. “Hello, girlie!” he exclaimed eluserily. “I came to take you for a spin in the ■•ar. _ Come along.” Sophie took Tony’s hand and led him to where Cohen sat. “This is Mr. Cohen, my 'fiance/' s’he ‘ said, holding fast to Tony’s hand. "You won’t mind if I go out for a little ride with Tony, will you, dear?” Cohen was bursting with jealous rage. “Suppose I go along?” he said. “YY ould I be in the way?” “It’s a racing-ear,” said Tony, "and there are only two seats. I’ll be glad to take you out some other time. Hurry up, girlie, and get your things on.” "Do you mind if I go?” Sophie asked. “Of ’course he doesn’t,” vouchsafed Tony. “He doesn’t look like the jealous kind.” What could Cohen do but assent? (Sophie went for the ride after promising to be back in an hour. She returned in exactly three hours. •*T was awfully hungry,” she explained, “and we had supper in Central Park. Tony is a perfect dear. Don't you think he looks terribly strong and handsome?’’ For two weeks Cohen s life was a perfect agony of jealousy. Wherever be went with Sophie he met Sammy Levy or Tony Seligman, who, apparently oblivious of his frowns and his surliness, would insist, upon joining [them and would bask in the sunshine of 'Sbphie’s smiles. Not that Sophie, for a single instant, ever overstepped thy hounds of strictest propriety ; but the sparkle in her eyes ami her rapt attention to every word of these young men' and her complete ignoring of Cohen s suffering kept her fiance upon the rack, day after day. "Promise me, Sophie,” he said one day. •‘never to speak to Sammy Levy or Tony Seligman again and I will be the happiest man in the world.’ “Oh. very well,”. answered Sophie airily. “If you are jealous of them I will not speak to them.” And Cohen never saw Tony Seligman or Sammy Levy again. Hut when, the next evening,'lie called to see Sophie lie found her daneing in. the parlour with a young man whom she introduced as Charley Samuels. "Charley is teaching me the new twostep,” she explained. “Can’t yon play something for ns while we dance?’ Cohen .could not play, but lie watche.l them dance, and he cursed Charley and his new two-step from Dan to Beersheba. Never hid he seen a two-step thrit involved so much hugging of a girl’s waist. When he could stand it no longer Cohen proposed to Sophie that they go oiit for a walk. "Sure,” said Sophie. “Y’ouTe not too tired for a little walk, art* you, Charley ?” While they were walking Sophie told Charley that bis new suit was very bcI'Oiniiig. Ami she made Cohen feel Ihe muscle' of- Charley's right arm. “It’s like iron, isn’t it?" she asked innocently. .j ~ The incidents that led to Hie final coL lapse of Cohibi wonhl fill a book. I would dearly" love to recount them, step by step. But 1 will indulge in the luxury of one philosophical remark.

If you pile burden upon burden on a dromedary’s back you will eventually reach the limit of the dromedary’s endurance, and then, by adding just a single straw, you can break the dromedary’s back! Cohen and Sophie were alone. Sophie was gazing at her folded hands in silent reverie. She had not spoken for ten minutes. “What are yon thinking about?” Co hen finally asked. Sophie looked at him with a bright smile. “I was wondering how Charley is feeling to-day. You know he said he had such a headache last night.” Cohen sprang to his feet, shook his fist in her face, and danced with rage before her. “I’m done with you!” he cried. “Marry your Charley! Marry your Tony! Marry your Sammy! Do you think I’d marry a girl who’s always thinking about other men? You’re crazy about men! 1 never want to see you again!” Ami seizing his hat he rushed out of the house, banging the street door behind him. An hour later, while he was packing his trunk, Abey Harris, accompanied by a man whom lie introduced as Mr Ehisteiu, called to see him. Alley’s face was very long and solemn. "Mr, Cohen,’’ be said, “I'm surprised to hear what I have just heard. Miss Levine’ is broken-hearted. So am L So is Mr Einstein, who is Miss Levine’s lawyer. Do you mean to tell me that it is possible for a gentleman like you to break your promise to marry a lady?” “I wouldn't marry her,” cried Cohen, "if she was the only woman on earth.” Abey Harris sighed. “Then it has come to the worst,” he exclaimed. "Go ahead, Air Einstein.” “I am sorry,” said Mr Einstein in a lugubrious voice, "but I am instructed to bring a suit against you for breach of promise. Y’ou have broken a noble lady’s heart, and she will get. heavy damages.” Cohen turned pale. This was an aspect of the matter that had not presenter! itself to him before. He remembered bis written declaration to Sophie, ami he groaned. What would his friends in Milwaukee say? How eonld he face the ridicule, the newspaper notoriety; ‘and the scandal that was bound to ensue? The perspiration stood upon his forehead. “ilsn’t it possible to compromiseasked Abey Harris of the lawyer. "It will look terrible in the newspapers. Supposing Air -Cohen pays the lady fifty thousand dollars in cash or agrees to buy regularly from Levine & Co.?” The lawyer shook bis head. “It is impossible,” he said. “Miss Levine is heart-broken, and she has told mo to put it in all the newspapers.” Abey Harris pleaded with him, begged him to relent, implored him to compromise the matter for the sake of the firm, and in the end the lawyer’s stony heart relented. “Are you willing,” he thundered at Cohen, “to sign an agreement to buy all your New York goods of Levine ami Co. if my client is merciful enough to withdraw her suit ami release you from your eoiitraet?” Cohen, pale ami willed, nodded <■ iger “I don't know if,she, will <lo it,” sail the lawyer, “but for the sake of my friend Abey Harris I will argue With her. If she does, you can thank your lu.ky star for a very narrow escape.” Did Sophie Levine relent? Yes, Sophie Levine relented. And to this day Kat zenstein ami Cohen buy all their teagowns of the linn of Levine and Harris (formerly Levine and Co.). ' ' ' > 1 When Sophie and Abey Harris were married, Sammy Levy and Tony Selig man arid Charley Samuels “functionated” (according to the newspaper-) as ushers.