2  Retail  Pharmacist  and  Pure  Drugs.    lAu?-  Jour- 1'!'^11" 
<=>         (    January,  1913. 
Procter's  whom  he  called  Colton,  and  who  at  that  time  was  a 
prominent  pharmacist  on  Broadway.  The  pharmacist,  having  oc- 
casion to  replenish  his  stock  of  cantharides  and  finding  that  the 
wholesale  druggist  with  whom  he  usually  dealt  had  none,  went 
to  another  wholesale  druggist  whom  the  narrator  named  Haswell. 
When  Colton  entered  the  extensive  establishment  the  following 
dialogue  ensued : 
Colton :  "  I  am  informed  that  you  have  powdered  cantharides  of  good 
quality,  and  I  am  desirous  of  getting  some  that  are  reliable." 
Haswell :  "  O,  certainly !  You  will  find  none  better.  We  had  the  powder 
made  expressly  for  our  sales  from  selected  flies." 
Colton  :  "  I  am  particular  in  providing  this  drug,  as  you  know  how  much 
depends  on  its  efficient  and  prompt  action." 
Haswell :  "  You  may  rely  on  our  article  as  in  good  condition." 
Here  the  conversation  closed ;  Colton  gave  his  order  and  left 
the  store.  Some  weeks  after  while  he  was  engaged  at  his  counter, 
Haswell  wTalked  in,  evidently  under  some  nervous  excitement,  and 
the  following  occurred : 
Colton:  "Good  morning,  Mr.  Haswell,  can  I  serve  you  to-day?" 
Haswell :  "  A  member  of  my  family  has  been  taken  suddenly  ill ;  her 
physician,  among  other  treatment,  has  prescribed  a  blister,  and  I  have  come 
out  of  my  way,  belieying  from  your  well-earned  reputation  that  we  may  rely 
on  your  cerate,  and  much  depends  on  the  rapid  action  of  the  plaster." 
Colton :  "  I  have  always  been  careful  in  preparing  this  cerate  from  good 
flies  and,  fortunately,  in  this  instance  I  have  your  own  testimony,  in  addi- 
tion, in  their  favor." 
Haswell,  who  had  till  that  moment  forgotten  the  first  transaction,  quickly 
replied:  "But,  sir!  Are  you  sure  those  flies  were  active?  Have  you  tried 
them  ?  " 
Colton :  "  You  said  they  were  when  you  sold  them  to  me." 
Haswell:  "But,  my  dear  sir,  this  blister  is  for  my  daughter!  Don't  you 
understand?    For  my  only  daughter!    Can  I  rely  on  it?" 
Colton:  "For  your  daughter!  And  so  my  cerate  is  for  every  other 
man's  daughter  who  deals  with  me  and  may  need  it,  and  who  is  as  dear 
to  his  affection  as  yours  is  to  you.  When  I  purchased  those  flies  from  you, 
it  was  your  reiterated  assurance  of  their  reliability  which  chiefly  induced  me 
to  take  them,  but  now  I  perceive  that  your  language  had  no  real  value  and 
was  given  in  the  spirit  of  a  huckster.  I  trust,  sir,  that  this  incident  will  be 
of  use  in  your  future  transactions ;  and  for  your  present  comfort  I  may 
assure  you  that  your  flies  were  found  to  be  efficient  before  they  were 
dispensed." 
