The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-07-10
An Amateur Promoter.

Ing. IL was ueilBntlui rue. Inc dii
was cool and perfumed by the fields,
and the rapid motion brought 1t In a
steady current against the faces of the
grateful passengers. Dunham Greer
took OFF his hat and leaned little for
ward to meet the pulsing waves OF
air. He was stalled for day or two
in the city, waiting for further direc-
tions from headquarters, and had TAX
en- the trolley ride aimlessly, SO far as
direction went, only seking its cool re-
wards after the heat of the fierce July
day Besides, these rides gave him
chance to study human nature under
new conditions, and this was always
pleasant pursuit with Durham.
As he leaned forward to catch the
breeze he caught at the same time a
little OF the conversation Of the young
man and the young woman who were
sitting in front of him. The young
man was quite young, two and twenty,
perhaps, and the girl seemed year or
more older. She was a bright faced
girl, with snappy, black eyes and a de-
cidedly aggressive chin; a pretty girl
in pretty summer gown, her luxurious
hair crowned by tasteful black hat.
The youth was somewhat pale and not
at all robust of figure.
Il tell you, Sis" he said, in a queru-
lous tone, you can't do thing unless
you have capital"
This was the remark that Dunham
Greer overheard. He leaned back n
little, but continued to listen. In a
certain way he was the representative
of capital. The remark had a per-
sonal bearing. He meant to hear more.
But. joe" the girl demonstrated.
you give in too easy. You haven't
enough pluck"
PLUCK counts for nothing" said the
young fellow. ioggedly. when you
haven't either cash or influence you
might as well throw up your hands.
Haven't | tried, and don't | know by
bitter experience?'
81 wish | was a mani" said the
black-eyed girl with sudden fierceness.
The young fellow laughed.
How do you suppose Jim Edge
comb would like that, Sis?" he asked.
A faint flush stole across the girls
fair cheek.
"It doesn't seem to be a question of
what Jim likes" she said. Jim would
like to see fair return from his half
interest in the cutoff, but that won't
bring It"
Let Jim get out himself and try his
luck at peddling the thing" said the
young fellow little warmly.
Jim is just practical-he can't talk"
said the girl.
"And now we are back to first prin-
ciples," grumbled the young fellow;
"it's money that talks"
The girl shook her head at him.
"You are so stubborn. joe" she said.
'If you once get an idea in your head
sledge hammers can't drive 1t out But
suppose you are like all inventors
daft in the same direction. And yet
you are so clever, joe"
ITS cleverness that doesn't pay"
said the young fellow a little bitterly.
what have made in the three years
I've devoted to inventing? Barely a
mechanics wages"
You'll strike it rich some day, joe"
said the girl in gentle tone of en-
couragement.
Il thought I'd struck 1t rich with the
cutoff" he said little bitterly. "My
idea was a good one, and Jim carried
it to completeness. The device is so
simple, so compact, so strong. 1t
should appeal to every practical en-
gineer. It's both a time and labor
saver. had no trouble in getting
patent, and yet when l try to interest
factory managers they decline to even
look Mt it. They see nothing in the
scheme for themselves personally. Per-
haps they are subsidized by the makers
of the old devices. Perhaps If could
bribe them they would agree to try 1t.
could start a stock company, no
doubt, and get just enough stock for
my share to make me an easy case of
freeze out when the sharpers got ready
to fling me aside. tell you it's dis
couraging, Sis"
"Yes, Joe. 1t is" said the girl sooth-
ingly. "And here is our street"
Dunham Greer drew a card from his
pocket and hastily penciled beneath
his name the word Promoter" Then
he added the name of the hotel at
which he was stopping, and tapped the
young fellow on the shoulder as he sig
nailed to the conductor to stop.
Call on me at l o'clock tomorrow
afternoon" he said. MS the young fell
low turned to discover who had jos
tied him. He saw a young man of
little more than his own age who nod
ded at him in very friendly way and
thrust a card between his fingers. The
girl turned, too, and caught this little
by-play, and her bright eyes flashed
on Dunham in a searching way. He
smiled little at her gaze and slightly
bowed.
Good night" he said.
The young fellow smiled and stared
at the card. Then he nodded at Dun
ham and helped the young woman
from the car.
A. 4