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Shively with determination to sell him a good bill. But I saw he had a customer, and kept out of the way, but not too far to hear the conversation. "That," said Shively, "is a better gun than the ordinary Lafoucheaux a good deal better.
Bringing the consideration of the personnel of the committee up to the close of the Sixty-first Congress, there remain to be mentioned only William J. Stone, of Missouri, and Benjamin F. Shively, of Indiana, both Democrats. Mr. Stone and Mr. Shively are not only new men on the committee, but both of them are comparatively new to the Senate.
"I can explain what I mean by showing you this letter," said Mr. Shively. "Here is a line of goods I proposed to handle, and wrote the manufacturer for prices. He has advertised them largely, but has not worked up a very large sale as yet, though he has succeeded in making them pretty well known.
But he has a foolish idea that he is going to be a much more formidable fellow with a Smith & Wesson under his head, and he takes that. And because of just such idiotic men Smith & Wesson can ask a big price for their goods." I was much interested in that talk, and sorry when the two men separated. But I was there to sell Shively some goods, and I went at it right heartily.
"I am glad all the bad work is not done in guns," said I, "but how is your stock? I think bull-dogs are going to advance." "I suppose they are; look at this letter." He handed me a letter from a New York house which read: New York, , 188 . Messrs. Rhodes & Shively Gentlemen: I have entered your order for 100 "Blank" Bull-Dogs at $2.85, prices guaranteed. Please send on specifications.
The next time I showed it I asked $75, and I sold it at $65." "Yes," said Shively, "the fools still live; I'm one of 'em. I suppose I do things just as bad as that every day, but I don't do it knowingly. Here's this craze over Smith & Wesson's revolvers. A man, for some good reason of his own, wants a revolver in the house.
I don't fear the drummers from the factories, but I do dread the low quotations they scatter around, because I must meet their figures." Mr. Shively seemed pleased at having a good listener, and had talked as if enjoying himself. While I was very much interested in his views, still it is probable I should have acted just the same even if I had cared nothing about what he said.
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