Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1866-02-22
JOHN BOYDEN'S INVESTMENT,
A STORY FOR THE oREDULous.
BY JAMES I. RnwFN

JOHN B0YDEN'S INVESTMENT
A STORY FOR THE oREDULous.
4 I. RnwrS
John Boyden was a young farmer
who lived, and still lives, in a countr,
village, not more than a thousand
miles from Rochester. John was an
honest, honorable fellow, who believed
in doing just as he promised and only
promising what he could perform. In
this respect, at least, he was the very
soul of honor. He would not have
wronged a man out of a cent, to use
his own phrase, "no more'n he'd cut
his right hand off" And everybody
knew that he felt just what be said
They respected him for his uprightness,
and prophesied that John would buy
himself good farm some day, and
make one of their best men. For, not
withstanding the richness of his heart,
John was poor in worldly goods. He
had commenced in life by working up
on the neighboring farms by the day
or week, and in short time had saved
enough to furnish humble little house.
which he had bought upon long credit,
He was already married, but his wife
being of feeble constitution, was a
draw back upon the young laborer's
progress. But he loved Susan, and
was willing to forego anything for her
pleasure or comfort. If she had a
cough, the kind hearted husband has.
tened to the village store, where every.
thing found its place, and purchased a
bottle of patent medicine, which he
supposed infallible in its operations,
assuring the merchant that he would
call in and square mp" as soon as he
had the money And he was as inva
lriably prompt in this as in other mat
ters. rr...tt rr .,r ..
But an evil day came to John. III,
was engaged with neighbor in dig
ging drain upon his premises, wher
sudden dash Of rain drove them I,
the house. ,... ...s
| Don't you want to look at the pa
per, John ?" the man asked, passing
to him the city sheet, which had arri
we'd the previous evening.
He took the paper rather to pass the
time than for any other purpose, as ht
was not given to reading extensively
While he sat running his eyes listless
ly down the columns he came to tina,
part devoted to advertisements. He
would have turned the sheet, but al
the moment his gaze was arrested by
paragraph, headed,
So PER DAY TO AGENTS :"
He read the strange announcement
then re-read it, being very careful il
regard to the figures. Then he nut
tered to himself -" Well, now, if that
don't beat all ever hearn of J! I'renty
IRE dollars day! wish could get
into such a business I'd be content
with ten dollars-yes, or five either
lie read the paragraph attentively
There was surely all opportunity fo
him. An agent, one or more, was wan
ted in every town throughout the Uni
ted States. What if he should be the
fortunate one to secure this colder
chance (? He really trembled least
somebody else should see the paper
and get the coveted agency. Twenty
five dollars day. he reflected !; ga
hundred and fifty dollars week sis
hundred and fifty dollars per month
seven thousand eight hundred a year
At that rate he would become a ricl
man in no time literally his creduli
ty was running away with him. III,
enormous figures had turned his braiI
at the first sight. If he could but ge
that situation he would ask nobody I,
trust him, not he Neither would ht
work for any such paltry wages any
longer !! Already he began to consid
er which farm he should purchase
None within the circle This acquaint
ances seemed fully to meet his wishes
But there would be time enough to con
slider that when he should have th,
cash in hand.
The rain had ceased by this time
and they were ready to return to tn,
work or rather the employer wa
ready. John carefully tore the address
of the agency party from the paper
placed it in his pocket, and worke,
through the long hours of the after
noon.
Upon reaching home his frs
thought was to consult with his wifi,
upon the subject; but he thought j
wonld be All agreeable surprise 10 her
when he should have commenced L
reap the golden harvest, so he sait
nothing to her about it. lie wrote I
letter to the concern. requesting an
agency extensive enough to occup,
him continually and added many
other things which he had better no
have written. @ =
The following day he made pretex
Of a headache to visit the village post
Office, some two miles distant. Ii,
saw his letter safely in the mail. AM
then returned to his work He assist
ed during the AFTERNOON in building
stone fence, but the labor was hard
and John Boyden was sure he had new
er performed such days work before
He pleaded sickness upon the follow
ing day, and the day after no one came
to him for work. He knew of severa
men who would be glad of his assist
ance, but Of what consequence woul'
the few dollars he could earn only b,
the sweat of his brow be in the end
: lie would take matters easy, and whe
, this new business came up, he woul