Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-06-26
An Amateur Promoter.

The Colinwood car was making 70
run back to the city in the early evt
ming. It was a delightful ride. In
air was cool and perfumed by tn
fields, and the rapid motion brough
It in a steady current against To
faces Of the grateful passengers.
Durham Greer took of his stra'
hat and leaned a little forward :
meet the pulsing waves Of air. II
was stalled for q day or two in tn
city, waiting for further direction
from headquarters, and had taken tn
trolley ride almlessly, SO far as Ill
rection went, only seeking Its cool re
ward after the heat Of the fierce Jul,
day. Besides these rides gave him
chance to study human nature unde
new conditions, and this was always
pleasant pursuit with Durham.
As he leaned forward to catch tn
breeze he caught at the same time
little Of the conversation of the younI
man and the young woman who wer
sitting in front Of him. The younl
man was quite young, %, perhaps, ant
the girl seemed year or more older
She was a bright faced girl with snap
by, black eyes and a decidedly az
gtessive chin, pretty girl in sum
mer gown, her luxurious hair crown
cd by tasteful black hat. The youtl
was somewhat pale and not at all 70
bust Of figure.
81 tell you SIS, he said in queru
lous tone, you can't do q thug un
less you have capital
This was the remark that Dunbar
Greer overheard. 1t drew his atten
ton. He leaned back a little, but con
tinued to listen. In a certain way b
was the representative Of capital. TIT
remark had a personal bearing. III
meant to hear more.
But, Joe," the girl demonstrated
"you give in too easy. You ha9on'
enough pluck"
"Pluck counts for nothing" said thu
young fellow, doggedly. When you
have neither cash nor influence YOU
might as we'll throw up your hands
Haven't | tried, and don't know b,
bitter experience"
81 wish was mani" cried thu
black-eyed girl, with a sudden fierce
ness.
The young fellow laughed.
"How do you suppose Jim Edge
comb would like that, sis?' he asked
A faint flush stole over the grill
fair cheek.
ut doesn't seem to be a question O.
what Jim likes" she said. jim
would like to see fair return from
his half interest in the cutoff. bu,
that won't bring It."
LET Jim get out himself and tr,
his luck at peddling the thing sale
the young fellow a little warmly.
"Jim is just practicable cam
talk" said the girl.
"And now we are back to the first
principles grumbled the young fel
low; tits money that talks"
The girl shook her head at him.
"You are so stubborn, joe she sale
"If you once get an idea into youl
head sledge hammers can't drive 1t GU
But suppose you are like all inventors
daft in some direction. And yet yor
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
mechanics wages
you'll strike 1t rich some day, Joe,
said the girl In tone Of encourage
ment.
81 thought I'd strike 1t rich with thu
cutoff he said little bitterly. My
Idea was a good one and Jim carried
1t to practical completion. The device
is so simple, SO compact, so strong. Il
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 interes
factory managers they decline to ever
look at 1t. They see nothing in tn,
scheme for themselves personally
Perhaps they are subsidized by tn,
makers Of the old devices. Perhaps
II could bride them they would agre,
to buy 1t. | could start a stock com
pany, no doubt, and get just enough
stock for my share to make me al
easycase Of freezeout when the sharp
ers got ready to fling me aside. tel
you it's discouraging, SIS"
"Yes, Joe, 1t is" said the girl, sooth
ingly "and here Is our street"
Dunhom Greer drew a pencil iron
his pocket and hastily penclled be
meath his name the word Promoter.
Then he added the name of the hote
at which he was stopping and Tape,
the young fellow on the shoulder a
he signaled the conductor to stop.
Call on me at l o'clock to-morro,
afternoon" he said as the young fe'
low turned to discover who ha
jostled him. He saw young man 0
little more than his own age, who nod
ded at him in a very friendly way an
thrust o card between his fingers. TIL
girl turned, too, and caught this littl
play, and her bright eyes flashed O.
Dunhom In a searching way. II
smiled little at her gaze and slight
bowed.
Goodnight" be said.
mAa vro,,uv fal1nvv hooikatad nm