Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-03-18


purse. and at the suggestion of some new ac
quaintance ne determined to go to New York.
mere d passed some two weeks with variou.
adventures, but without finding one hour of paw
ing occupation. He wandered everywhere OBJ
serving and searching out places, inop:rino foe.
iy Of all, until the close of the third week he
had but single dollar left in his pocket and
ieit TOR the first time nearly disheartened. In
TINS mood he strolled through one of the up.
town cross streets above Union Park and found
his attention attracted by the operation of a
steam saw mill, which he entered and quietly
watched the business Of He saw a small, bu,
sufhclent engine driving four saws fed by four
men, while there stood at the desk hard by. one
evidently the master of the establishment.
hiram felt strong interest in what he saw
there were large piles OF excellent lumber in the
building, an article he was familiar with from
Childhood, aud he watched the process of SAVING
1t up, carefully observing to what purpose the
wood was put, and saw couple of hands in 4
further part of the shop engaged in dove e-tailing
the peices together, and forming the lumber into
boxes OF various sizes. He consumed so much
time, and was so minute in his observations. that
at last the proprietor came up to him and ad-
dressed him pleasantly:
" You seem to be quite interested" he re-
marked to Hiram
Yes | have seen good deal of lumber in
my day, and | was calculating how much YOU
probably used up in this way"
We use good many thousand feet eyerv
week"
So should think. and the best number ones,
too"
es, We require the very best stock. and lum-
Der is up now"
How much do you pay ?"
"Twenty-four dollars thousand, all clear and
assorted"
What do you do with ali these boxes >" con-
tinued Hiram
Oh, We sell them faster than we can
make them, for packing soap, chemicals &c
Rather heavy for that purpose, should saw"
added Hiram.
Well, they are rather heavy, bu. we can't
get boards sawed any different, they are down
to the lowest guage Of the numbering mills
Hiram looked thoughtfully, handled the box
es, examined the saws. talked good common
sense IN business style to the man, and at last
be said, half seriously. half in jest;
:" on don't want partner, do you
Why no. not exactly; though if / had one
who would put In couple of thousand dollars
and would take hold heartily himself l wouldn't
mind sharing the thing with hin. and throwing
IN the machinery"
haven't got any Money" said Hiram, but
l will give You idea about this matter. and
will take bold and give my time, in way
that | think Fill bau
you name, in a short time, provided YOU will
give me half the business"
like the way you talk" said the man,
honestly, " but this is an odd proposition !"
"lou say you pay twenty -four dollars a
thousand for the boards 2"
Yes"
Surprising bring them down to twelve at
once, and make neater and better boxes for your
purpose ?"
"lfyou can do that will share with YOU at
once, for my fortune would be made
Ill you give chance to try the thing
after my own fancy, foi day, say commenc-
ing to-Inorning ?"
Yes" said the man, after moments hesi-
tation- q can see no harm, though l am to
be away tomorrow forenoon"
After little longer talk, and careful un-
derstanding that there should be no experiment
tried that should risk the machinery. Mr. Hurd
the box maker, gave orders to his people that
Mr. Venzie was TO be obeyed on the following
forenoon, the same as though he were himself
to give the orders, au0 that he should return at
noon.
Hiram at once took off his coat, measured OF e
of the saws, and asked if it was the largest p
He Tas told that it was This Ae was at first
sorry for but still carefully taking his measures
upon piece of of paper, he seon disappeared
He remembered hardware store not far distant
which be had passed that very afternoon to
this he repaired, and selected circular saw
swice as large as any Mr.. Hurd had in his shop,
and of different make in the teeth he also
&C some braces and bolts of size and stvle
VIII ch he appeared to understand, and telling
the storekeeper that he wanted them for Mr.
HUI d in the next street, he found no difficulty
in getting credit. With matters thus arran-
ged be returned to his boaIding place and stud
led his own mind as to how he would carry
out he plan he had conceived
It was about twelve o'clock at noon On the
following day when Mr.. Hurd returned to his
sleeves with pair of :" overalls" on, at work be-
fore large splitting which he had applied
the steam power. He was splitting the boards.
which were fully thick enough TO admit of it
and thus making the boards produce Just twice
as many boxes as heretofore with an equal
amount of labor since those who finished them
up into boxes after they were sawed could work
enough faster with the thinner lumber to make
up for the occupation of one hand to tend the
splitting saw.
Mr. Hurd looked on with astonishment; al
ready were score of boxes and more manufac-
tured of the new thickness, and they were ac-
tually more valuable. as the thickness was am
pie for all purposes. He was also delighted at
his new acquaintance, who took hold of his work
so handily, and above all he felt that he had
at once given him an idea worth half his busi-
ness and more. Mr.. Hurd was an honest and