Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-04-29

L5A then it has grown to be profit
able. Things were at low ebb
with me when 1 took 1t up. l was at
my wits end for something to do, and
sat nibbling my nails one day, grumb-
ling horribly.
"Don't 80 on like that, Tom," says
my wife; things might be worse"
HOW" l said.
"Why, we might have Luke at home,
and he is doing we'll"
Lukes our boy, you know, and we
had got him into merchants office,
where he seemed likely to stay.
"Things can't be worse" said ang-
rily; when there was knock at the
door.
"Come in," 1 said, and fellow lod-
ger put in his head
"Are you good at works. Mr.. Smith 2"
he said.
"Middling," I said, for was fond of
pulling clocks to pieces, and trying to
invent
Il wish you would come and look at
this sewing machine of mine, for l
can't get it to CO."
/ got up to look at 1t, and after about
an hours fiddling about, began to see
bit Of reason why. l had some din
ner with those people, and they forced
half crown upon me as well, and l
went back feeling like new man, so
refreshing had been that bit of work.
The very next day the folks from the
next house wanted me to look at theirs,
and then the news spreading, as news
will spread, that there was somebody
who could cobble and tinker machin-
cry, without putting people to the ex-
pense that makers would the jobs
came in so fast that was obliged to
get files and drills and a vise-regular
set of tools by degrees; and at last /
was as busy as bee from morning to
night, and whistling over my work as
happy as king.
Next we got to supplying shuttles
and needles and machine cotton. Next
bought machine Of man who was
tired Of It, Next week / bought an
other and another, and sold them; then
got to taking them and money in ex-
change for new ones, and one way and
the other became a regular big dealer
as you see. I've got at least 300 on
the premises, while If anybody had
told me fifteen years ago that / should
be doing this, should have laughed
at him.
That pretty girl showing and ex-
planning the machine to a customer?
I,off D,,AI tI,ak t1
daughter-yet, but she soon will be.
Poor girl, I always think of her and
OF bread thrown upon the waters at
the same time. Curious idea, that, you
will say, but I'll tell you why. In our
trade we have strange people to deal
with. Most of 'em are poor and can't
buy machine right off, but are ready
and willing to pay so much a week.
That suits them and 1t suits me, If
they'll only keep the payments up to
the end.
The way I've been bitten by some
folk has made me that case-hardened
that sometimes I've wondered whether
I've got any heart left, and the wife's
had to interfere, telling me I've been
spoiled with prosperity, and grown un-
feeling. 1t was she made me give
away about Ruth, for one day, after
having had my bristles all set up by
Ending out that three sound machines,
by best makers, had gone nobody knew
where, who should come into the shop
but lady-like looking woman in very
shabby widows weeds. She wanted
q machine for herself and daughter to
earn, and said she had heard would
take the money by installments. Now
Just half an hour before, by our shop
clock, had made a vow that I'd give
up all that part Of the trade, and was
rough with her-1ust as l am when
I'm cross-and said, mo"
But you will If the lady gives Sc
curity,' says my wife, hastily.
The poor woman gave such a Woe
oegone look at us that It made me out
of temper more than ever, for I could
reel that IL 1 stopped to consider 1
mould have to let her have one at her
own terms. And so It was; for I let
ner have a frst-class machine, as good
q new, she only paying seven and SIX