~The Michigan Tradesman ' A MERCANTILE JOURNAL, PUBLISHED EACH WEDNESDAY. E. A. STOWE & BRO., Proprietors. OFFICE IN EAGLE BUILDING, 3d FLOOR. {Entered at the Postofice at Grand Rapids as Second-class Matter.] WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1884. . Smoke Consumers. po WANTED—A SMOKE CONS UMER oo C Such was the sign hung out by a promin- nent firm. In about three minutes in walked a man and applied for ajob. ‘‘Sur,” said he “Pye been a dock wholloper anda coal heaver, and I think I might learn to be a smoke-consumer.”’ But the boss thought he wouldn’t do. An hour passed by and the office was fill- ed with agents of smoke consumers. They all beseiged the senior partner and began to talk. “Ours is the oldest firm in the market,” said one; “our consumer can be attached to a cigar or a bon-fire. It saves about fifty per cent., and—”’ “That’s nothing,” spoke up another, ‘‘ours gathers in the smoke from the air around, and so saves—”’ “Ours was once attached to a house afire,” yelled No. 3, “and the fire burned steadily for three weeks. You can estimate the sav- ing for yourself.” “Gentlemen,” put in another, “the con-| sumer which I have the honor to represent |. saves so much that after it is once put on you never have to replenish the fire.” “And mine,” shouted No. 5, “is a condens- er also, and if you feed your furnace with | something that makes plenty of smoke, it condenses the surplus into coal. Guaranteed to start a coal-yard in five weeks.” “George,” gasped the senior partner to one of the clerks, ‘“‘take in that sign, and run up town and get me a gatling-gun.” —_____—<> -@ <>_--- Promise to Pay Another’s Debt. LTsold A. B. a bill of goods amounting to $200, and took from him a due bill, or ac-| knowledgement in writing of the debt. | Afterwards he offered me a note signed by C. D., payable to my order for $200; 1 ac- cepted it, and gave him up his due bil He promised verbally that if C. D. did not pay the note when it became due, he would do so, but he did not indorse the note. C. D.|- became insolvent about the time the note) became due, and I shall get buta small sum, if anything, from him. Can I collect | the balance from A. B.? C. L. H. You can collect nothing from A. B. on his verbal promise to pay the note of C. D. if C. D. did not, as the statute of frauds, as it is called, provides that no one shall be lia- ble, on a promise to pay the debt of another, unless the promise, or seme memorandum or note thereof, is in writing, and signed by the person to be charged. If you took this note in settlement of the account you can- not recover anything from A. B. The giving up of the due bill would tend to show that you both regarded the account as settled, and, if so, you will lose your pay. If it was understood or agreed, however, that this note was merely a convenient way of letting you get your pay, and that the account was not paid until the note was paid, you can still sue on the account. Is is impossible to say which is the case on the facts you give, though they bear against you. If A. B. will not pay, consult some lawyer to whom you can tell the entire talk you had with A. B. when you took the note. —_—__—_—<»> 2 > Bound to be a Revolution. From the Indianapolis Grocer. More deserters from the ruinous, debauch- ing credit system, as it how exists, are com- ing to the front every year. It is slow, this educating dealers to see the disadvantage of so much unlimited eredit, but assure as_ the Mississippi runs southward, just as certain is there bound to bearevolution ; every retailer is interested in this seriously ; long accommo- dations to the consumer are the source of great dissatisfaction, bad blood, disputes, and no end of annoyance and worry. Why con- tinue in this way? Why net come squarely to the cash system?+ If you haven’t the courage to say ‘‘No”’ to everybody, then se- lect only the best of your customers and ac- | commodate them and drop the rest. ‘There are great possibilities in this suggestion, if the retailers will only work them out. —— oo A Distinguished Individual. “Yes, gentlemen,” he said, I’m a well- known man. I’ma New Yorker, and my name is a familiar one to the American peo- RETAILERS, If you are selling goods to make a profit, sell LAVINE WASHING POWDER, This Washing Powder pays the Retailer a larger profit than any in the Market, and is put up in handsome and attractive packages with picture cards with each case. We guar- antee it to be the best Washing Powder made and solicit a trial order. See prices in Price-List. Hartiord Chemical C0. HAWKINS & PERRY STATE AGENTS, GRAND RAPIDS, ~ MICHIGAN. ple.” “Were youa general in the war, stran- ger?” “No, sir. I fit in the war, but not as gen-| eral.” “Congressman, perhaps, or governor of some state?” “No, sir. I’m not a politician nor a states- man. Iam a private citizen and am proud to say it.’ “Well, if you are nota great soldier or statesman, what is it that has made your name so familiar throughout the country?” Who are you?” “T am John Smith.” ——-_ i>)