As the day drew nearer, the venture seemed a tremendous one, and Mr Stratton had to use all his powers of encouragement to keep his colleagues from not taking fright at the last moment.
"It will all go swimmingly, you'll see," said he.

"I will hold myself in readiness to come down and back you up if there's the least hitch, but I shall be greatly disappointed if you need me." The last act of the committee before commencing proceedings was to draw up a manifesto, which was copied out and duly affixed to the notice boards and the shop-shutters on the morning of the opening.
_Under the distinguished patronage of Mr and Mrs Stratton_.
The Fellsgarth Shop will be opened this day from 11 to 12, And 4 To 8, and daily (sundays excepted) till further notice.
The following prime goods, at the cheap prices affixed.
[Here followed a list of the stores.] Ready money.

No tick.

Change given.
no more stomach-ache!! Real jam! Ripe fruit! Fresh pastry! All the season's novelties.

Nothing stale.
Boys of Fellsgarth-- Come in your thousands! No risk to man or boy.
No favour.
Masters and fags treated alike.
All the profits for the clubs.
Treasurer, Mrs Stratton.
Managing directors, Nine gentlemen, Carefully Selected.
President, Mr Stratton.
Plenty for all.