"
They talked about the details of the business, and presently Allchin
asked what name was to be put up over the shop.
"I've thought of that," answered Will. "What do you say to--
_Jollyman_?"
The assistant was delighted; he repeated the name a dozen times,
snorting and choking with appreciation of the joke. Next morning,
they met again, and went together to look at the shop. Here Allchin
made great play with his valuable qualities. He pointed out the
errors and negligencies of the late Boxon, declared it a scandal
that a business such as this should have been allowed to fall off,
and was full of ingenious ideas for a brilliant opening. Among other
forms of inexpensive advertisement, he suggested that, for the first
day, a band should be engaged to play in the front room over the
shop, with the windows open; and he undertook to find amateur
bandsmen who would undertake the job on very moderate terms.
Not many days elapsed before the old name had disappeared from the
house front, giving place to that of Jollyman. Whilst this was being
painted up, Allchin stood on the opposite side of the way, watching
delightedly.
"When I think as the name used to be Boxon," he exclaimed to his
employer, "why, I can't believe as any money was ever made here.
Boxon! Why, it was enough to drive customers away! If you ever heard
a worse name, sir, for a shopkeeper, I should be glad to be told of
it. But _Jollyman_! Why, it'll bring people from Putney, from
Battersea, from who knows how far.
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