Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-06-02
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
MR.. GRADGRIND
IOriginai-I

ways having before me the hope of be-
coming professor, n hope which has
been perpetually deferred. My family
has meanwhile been increasing, though
my salary has remained the same. l
had given up any idea of change in my
life when one morning the president
sent for me and told me that Professor
s., lecturer on chemistry. was to take
q vacation and had been selected TO
give lectures in his department until
his return. | left the laboratory in
which l instructed beginners and de-
voted myself to my new temporary du-
ties.
During my lecture the door opened
and Il gentleman walked in on tiptoe,
took a seat in the row of chairs far
thest from me and listened intently to
what l was saying. AS l have never
known any one except the students to
attend my lectures, l was greatly sur
prised. However, l retained my equa-
nimity, stimulated by the presence Of
the stranger, and hattered myself that
l was making my discourse eXtraor-
dinarily interesting. When / dismiss ed
the class. the visitor remained and APP
preached my desk.
Permit me to inform you, cir, that
the lecture l have just listened TO is the
most interesting 1 have ever heard"
1 concealed my pleasure at the mans
commendation as well as | could, and
he went on: '.-- -
Il am myself something OF chem
list in a small way and. being In your
town, awaited myself of the privilege
of hearing something on my favOrite
subject. Your charming DISCOURSE
"Are you professional cbeinistY'
''Not eXactly-rather Il practical one.
l have succeeded in combining proper
ties I'm way TO produce II cleansing
material which l am now Introducing
to the world. l am the proprietor of
Gradgrind's eradicator."
l heaved n sigh of disappointment.
II would be pleased TO have you
make an analysis of the eradicator and
if you find it effective and harmless
will gladly recompense you for your
trouble"
You wish crrtificate?"
'That is what | would like. not that
the eradicatcr requires anything but
trial. Nevertheless the public is in
credulous and needs testimony"
what would the analysis and a
statement be worth TO YOU
Millions. but l am free to say that
in the beginning, till we sell the goods,
my pecuniary resources are limited. l
could make n first payment of all l
possess. Let me Sec" He fumbled in
his vest pocket and took out some small
change.
"Seventy-threc cents is the total as
fortune"
The mans pluck won me. Give me
q sample" | said. II will analyZe il
and give you the result. but l do not
care to take money from one poorer
than myself"
lie gave me Il look of genuine thank
fulness and sample. Inviting him TO
return the next day after my lecture
went to the laboratory.
When Mr.. Gradgrind returned the
next day. / told him that his eradicator
contained several valuable properties.
but also an acid that would cat up
any substance it touched. He was cast
down for q moment. then, Frightening
up, said:
surely one with such n profound
knowledge of chemical properties can
find another to take its place"
/ had caught the spirit of investiga-
ton and told Mr.. Gradgrind that would
try and if successful would write him.
He gave me his address and departed
apparently perfectly assured that
would succeed
l spent n month searching for an
agent that would eat up dirt, grease
and such substances without destroy
ing the fabric from which they were to
be removed and met with excellent
success. l wrote Mr.. Gradgrind to
come and see me and received n visit
from him. The only change in him
was that he had grown shabbier.
"NIr. Gradgrind." said. 81 have dis
covered the required agent"
"Then, sir. your fortune is made"
"My fortunes"
Eyes. sir. If your agent proves salts
factory, 1 will give you a half interest
in the business"
smiled. gave him the secret and
dismissed him and the matter from my
mind at the same time.
/ neither saw nor heard from Mr..
Gradgrind for five years, though every
house, barn and fence became gradual
~ covered with advertisements OF
Gradgrind's eradlcator, accompanied
invariably by the letters &c. and G."
The only interest l took in the matter
was as to the meaning of these letters.
Yesterday morning | received let
ter furnishing view of the manufac
turing establishment of Gradgrind's
eradicator. Thinking it contained tes-
timonials. / was about to throw it into
the wastebasket when something. l
knew not what. induced me to open it.
took out an account current of Grad
grind &c Co. with their silent partner,
Samuel GOswell. for the five years of
their business and check payable to
my order for $3.50. % to balance.
am still tutor. for the unexpected