The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-19
MILLIONS IN IT.

into sight.
The newcomer stopped before them, his
face beaminR with smiles and with an air
of conscious pride held out for their inspeo-
ton what proved to be highly polished
stove lid.
''There she isp' he cried. "The prettiest
and cheapest stove polish ever invented.
knowed the minnit I'd put that taller and
vinegar in the last batch that I'd got it. -
cit does look nice, " said Isaac, blinking
from one to the other.
"Now, Jet, =" said Uriah, taking an ex-
ira chew Of fine cut and leaning back in
his chair, ''as you re the one that has got
this thing up, what's your idea of getting
1t QUIT How has it got to be made and
so1dS''
"Well. - said Jet, sqUaring himself back,
''ny idea is just to make some of the stuff
and go out and sell it. I've f1ggered the
whole thing out, and it just amounts to
this: 1t will cost cent a cake to make this
stove polish. We sell it for 10 cents. That
gives us profit of $12.9 gross. Now,
each one of US ought to sell gross every
day, mebbe more, but wen put it at one
gross, to be on the safe side. Now, say our
expenses are So day, That leaves US $40
a day profit, all but cents, and that beats
farming all hollow"
Jet, old boy, we're with youp' cried
Uriah, slapping the other on the back. 81
tell you, gentlemen, we're bound to make
something out Of this. just to think, SO
a day is nearly $500 a month-more mon
ey than we take in now in a year.
'That's so, said Isaac, rising slowly to
his feet. "Well, it's getting along. IN
have to get back and do chores -
The other two watched him out of sight
''Fine fellow, Ike, - said Uriah
"Hardly the man for this kind of bust
ness. y
''wen, don't know. Ike's a good fell
low
Good fellowP Why, Of course, he ia
Nobody thinks more Of Ike than do.
Why, I'd be willing he should go along for
company If he didn't 90 stroke. But,
then, he is slow-don't catch on to people
quick enough. -
''Now, tell you, Jet, - continued Uriah,
hitching his chair up to the other, be
tween you and me and that lumber wagon,
Ike is the wrong man for this business.
You want man that can git up and git
and amt afraid to hustle, and Ike will
never I'LL the bill. You mark my words -
"Well, - said Jet slowly, Il reckon
never give it Thought whether he would or
not. So you think he won't do?''
IDOL OF course he won't do. tell you,
Jet, just what's common sense for you'n
me. Well make up the polish and start
out together and let Ike sell what he can
around here. Thatn let him down kind
of easy. But we'I take the big business,
for there amt anybody but as can handle
it.
Jet walked slowly homeward As he
turned the bend in the road he discovered
Isaac sitting on the bank ahead of him.
Il knew you d be along pretty soon, -
said Isaac, rising awkwardly, land I
thought I'd wait for you No chance to
talk business when Uriah is around A
good fellow, too; first rate Only he blows
too much. -
''Blows quite bit, that's a fact, - as
sented Jet.
Well, you know what he is and what
his folks were before him as well as do
and you know just as well that he's no
man for this business. You see, what you
want is a man that has some dignity about
him and knows how to approach people in
the right sort of way. Why, he'd go into a
man s parlor just the same as if he was
going into a COW stable Well, sir, that
may do around here, but it won't do in
the big towns, and that's where you'll
mako your money. But, then, if you
think I won't do, just say so, and III
drop out at once. -
"Oh, I amt afraid but what you'll do
all right, - answered Jet, anxious to con-
ciliate. But allow hev got my doubts
of Uriah.'
''Of course you have. You're a man of
sense and couldn't help but have doubts.
III have to cut across here, but think the
matter over, Jet; think it over
''I'u do that, answered Jet emphatieaI-
" as he started on alone again.
He walked on rapidly until he came to
an old barn along the road The roof of
the barn had been blown off and never re-
placed, and the whole thing looked very
but very familiar to Jet, for it
was his barn.
A tall, thin and melancholy looking wo-
man was bending over a washtub at the
pump. She Strengthened up and stopped
her work as Jet came up.
He went on into the house and put the
stove lid he had been carrying on the stove
Then he came out and sat down near his
wife.
"They say there's $40 day in it for
sure thing; that's what they say"
well, I'm glad if there is said the
woman, signing softly. 1.-THE Lord knows
we need it. Is Uriah and Ike gOin to take
hold of it with your
'Mebbe they are and mebbe they amt.
I know them felers better than to trust
either of them.
Il can make So, 1000 a year out Of it and
go it alone. -
Cant you get me that wrapper tonight,
then It's only 20 cents?'
"Only 20 centsP Confound it, don't you
know that it will take every cent can
rake and scrape to get the thing started?
I d rather get you dozen silk dresses two
weeks from now than spare a cent to-
night
81 don't see, - she began, when there was
q yell from the kitchen, followed by the
loud voice of a man:
"Phewl Judasl What the DEVILS up
here, anyway? Are you trying to burn the
house DOWN.
Jet made a jump to the door and stopped
aghast. The stove lid, so highly polished
but a moment before, was now dull, dirty
red, while above it curled thick, dingy
smoke, bearing with it an odor strong
enough to knock down q horse
:" Is that the way your polish works,
Jet?'' asked young man coming around
the house holding his nose.