The Delawarean., 1900-08-18

Ger dollar and quarter a day she's
furnishing music for the parlor free
gratis. Put a bedquilt on the wash
board and you can hear the strains of
The Old Oaken Bucket from garret to
cellar. Let the woman tackle a table
cloth, and everybody goes dancing to
the tune of Maggie AIurphy's Home
Drug stores can have it at a slight
cost for their patrons. and public
schools needn't pay cent. Rub-a-dub-
dub! Music by the box! Thompson,
don't miss it. Don't throw a good
thing over your shoulder. l want to
take you in. ! have taken YOU in. You
are TO be secretary of the NJ. W. C. at
$4,000 a year"
"Thats all wind" bluntly exclaimed
the lawyer and it won't work. Will
YOU draw me check for SCOOP
isn't it Il wonder that somebody else
didn't strike on the idea?" whispered
the major rs he patted Thompson on
the shoulder. THE washboard has
been known for 200 years. What was
easier than to make friction run mu-
sic box to soothe the sorrowful, lull
the ailing or enthuse the discouraged?
1t would have saved thousands of lives
annually, prevented thousands of sui
cides, and yet no one thought of it,
Thompson, shake hands. It's the sec
retaryship at $4,000 a year for you,
and I'll get you $4,000 worth of stock
at ground floor figures. Months ago
when | was hard up and couldn't pay
a bill of 81, you put your hand on my
shoulder in a brotherly way and said
you had every confidence in my finan-
cial integrity. DO you imagine I've for
gotten that, Thompson? Not by the
grave of my grandfather l never think
of it without the tears coming to my
eyes"
do YOU want to be sued for these
accounts?" demanded the lawyer when
he could get in a word.
'And your reward for trusting me is
this" continued the major-"the salary
of $4,000 is only starter. I'll double
it after the washboards get into the
market. The $4,000 in stock will pay
you $4,000 year in dividends at the
very least, and perhaps double that,
and thore You are. You can safely put
your first years income down at $780,
600. Is that enough, Thompson? If
not. Just say the word and I'll add
$4,000 to it. Meanwhile
Meanwhile | want no more of your
wind"
Meanwhile, my dear secretary Of
the NJ. w. c.. owe 5000. You have
the accounts to collect. lust mark 'em
collected and I'll pay in the 5000 to
hold your stock. Always have to have
deposit as evidence of good faith,
you know. If it was anybody else, I'd
demand a certified check for $4,000.
Thompson go home and throw your
lawbooks out of the window"
"Tll be hanged if l do! I want to
know
"Throw your lawbooks out of the
window, dissolve the partnership, and
then take your position as secretary.
No hurry for day or two, but don't
wait too long. l want to get the arti-
cles of incorporation through as soon
as possible and patent the idea. Good
by, Thompson, goodby."
"But l want that checkw protested
the lawyer as he was pushed out.
"And the washerwoman rubs and
the box plays on" replied the smiling
major. wen have $4,000 washboards
playing Yankee Doodle and Home Of
My Sour before the month is out, and
if you want $4,000 in advance on your
salary and profits send your boy
around and I'll fill out a check. Good
by, Thompson, goodby, and remember
to keep mum till our patent is secur-
ed"
The door was shut and locked, and
there was grim silence for five min
utes. Then the major heard threats
and VOWS and mutterings, and some
one went slowly down stairs.
Ne OIJAD