The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-10-30
Mr.. GRADGR|ND
IOriginal.1

been perpetually uererfeQ. My family
has meanwhile been increasing, though
my salary has remained the same. I
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
vacation and had been selected to
give lectures in his department until
his return. | left the laboratory in
which | instructed beginners and de.
voted myself TO my new temporary du-
ties.
During my lecture the door opened
md a gentleman walked in on tiptoe
took a seat in the row of chairs far
thest from me and listened 'intently to
what | was saying. AS | have never
known any one except the students to
attend my lectures, | was greatly sur
prised. However, | retained my equa.
nimity, stimulated by the presence of
the stranger, and fiattered myself that
was making my discourse extraor-
dinarily interesting. When ! dismissed
the class. the visitor remained and ap-
preached my desk.
Permit me to inform you, sir, that
the lecture / have just listened to is the
most interesting l have ever heard"
l concealed my pleasure at the mans
commentator as well as / could, and
he went on:
81 am myself something of q chem
list in a small way and, being in your
town, availed myself Of the privilege
of hearing something on my favorite
subject. Your charming discourse'-
"Are you a professional chemist?'
"Not exactly-rather practical one.
have succeeded in combining proper
ties in a way to produce a cleansing
material which l am now introducing
to the world | am the proprietor of
Gradgrind's eradicator."
! hea we'd sigh Of disappointment.
81 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 a certificate"
THAT is what | would like, not that
the eradicator 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 | am free to say that
in the beginning. till we sell the goods,
my pecuniary resources are limited.
could make a first payment of all
possess. Let me see." He fumbled in
his vest pocket and took out some small
change
"Seventy-three cents is the total as
sets of one who possesses an embryo
fortune"
The mans pluck won me. "Give me
q sample" | said 81 will analyze it
and give you the result. but do not
care to take money from one poorer
than myself"
He gave me a 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 eat up
any substance it touched. He was cast
down for a moment, then, Frightening
up, said: ~
"Surely one with such "a profound
knowledge Of chemical properties can
find another to take its place."
had caught the spirit of investlga'
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.
spent a 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. | wrote Mr.. Gradgrind TO
come and see me and received vlslt
from him. The only change In MIN
was that he had grown shabDier.
"Mr Gradgrind," | said. II have dis
covered the required agent"
"Then, sir. your fortune is made.
"My fortune?"
"Yes. sir If your agent proves saus-
factory. l will give you a half interest,"
In the business"
smiled. gave him the secret anu
dismissed him and the matter from my
mind at the same time.
neither saw nor heard from MI
Gradgrind for five years. though every
house, barn and fence became graduai-
ly covered with advertisements OF
Gradgrinds eradicator. accompanied
invariably by the letters &c. ana u.
The only interest took in the matter
was as to the meaning of these letters.