LUXURIES FOR A CLIENT 



had to be something, for they do everything there to 

 restrict pleasure. But there were generally some 

 good chaps at the Royal, of course mixed with im- 

 possible persons — pompous, shoppy and vulgar and, 

 what is much worse, uninteresting and dull. 



I remember in a certain place, it doesn't matter 

 where, one man I used to do a lot of business with was 

 with me nearly every day. I remember he once lent 

 me fifty pounds, which should have removed any idea 

 that he was eccentric — he had it back four days after. 

 He was fond of his stomach and could eat. One 

 day I heard he and his family were travelling to the 

 seaside, so I bought him an enormous pineapple, 

 thinking it would be nice for his children. On the 

 Monday I asked him how the children enjoyed it. 

 " I didna give them any of it ; I dinna believe in 

 putting rich food in their stomachs." I suppose he 

 scoffed the lot ! 



There was another man from the far north who used 

 to make the journey to Glasgow to do his business with 

 me. I had to go through it each time : read a tract 

 and listen to an exhortation on temperance and being 

 unsaved. One night I had to begin with him at mid- 

 night and finish the business at two a.m. and then did 

 in a packet at poker. Foolish ! I didn't mind the 

 talk, but he used to " nurse the hand " when giving 

 a greeting. Ugh ! 



In Manchester Charlie Payne, known to eveiyone, 

 was very kind on many occasions. I remember that it 

 was considered at a board meeting that one thousand 

 pounds in cash would be useful to the firm if it could 

 be realised on a lot of already manufactured stock. 

 Everything possible was packed in cases and off I 

 went to Birmingham and did a deal with A. B. Hall 

 to the tune of five hundred pounds. The stuff was 



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