SAVED BY THE BELL

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Here's how an Arizonian answers the question, "Who's minding the store?"

A year and a half ago, I quit my job at the local sawmill and, since I was in search of independence, started my own junk business. I sell—among other things—old office equipment, electronics scrap, and army surplus canvas goods . . . all out of a converted third-hand trailer in my yard.

And let me tell you, my bootstrap enterprise is some kind of improvement over the old commuter life! If I become cold or lonely over at the "store", I can always run to the house to warm up or play with the young'uns. I soon discovered that my dog would bark if shoppers appeared, and decided to spend my between—sales time working (and relaxing) around the homel What a good deal.

Unfortunately, my old mutt likes to take two-hour naps . . . and I found that I was missing customers as a result of his snoozes. In an attempt to cover for the dog, I used to run to the window every two minutes or so to check for visitors . . . but that procedure got old real soon.

A "DONG" GOOD IDEA

Finally, I remembered an old signal bell at a gas station where I once worked. Thanks to that device, I could fix flat tires, clean restrooms, and maintain the indoor equipment . . . without ever missing a single customer. I decided that a similar bell-and-hose system would be perfect for my junk store, too, so I called an outfit listed in the local Yellow Pages under "Service Station Equipment and Supplies". The folks there said they could order the bell, and 150 feet of driveway hose, for "around" $100 plus shipping . . . and get it to me in a month or two. As you can imagine, I became less enthusiastic about the idea in a hurryl