Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1905-08-03

BY FRANK H. SWEET

was wasted ON shiftless kinfolk, but
in one way and another he had ac-
quired q good education, first In pub
lie schools and then by reading all the
useful books he could obtain 1t was
In public school, before she was
thought ready to send away to pri-
vate institution for young ladies, that
he first met Edith Potter That was
before either of them understood the
Importance of social position.
Jake was good at boat building and
good at many other things which the
village people who looked down upon
his family did not know. This morn
ing he was at his workbench in
small building he had erected near
lake when he heard the sound of car
riage wheels, followed presently by
firm, ponderous footsteps coming
around the end of the cabin. Looking
up, he saw Judge Potter approaching.
How do you do, Jake? the judge
said, advancing with gracious cordial
ity. Always at work, it seems.
Thought likely / would find you here
/ want to have talk with you"
Jake looked at him with questioning
curiosity. 1t was Judge Potter, GER
tainly, but why had be brought his
social equality voice along? He had
never wasted that upon him before.
what a trim looking lot of boats
you have here, Jake" the judge went
on, without waiting for Jake to speak,
"but never mind explaining about
them, though. What am here about
is the steamer line. Would you mind
going over some of the main points
again?"
Jake stared, then laughed a little
CURLY.
whats the user he said. When l
went to you about the matter was in
the first callow enthusiasm of the idea
and did not realize the FOOLS quest /
was on. Suppose we dismiss the
subject altogether. / haven't money
enough to get the invention patented,
much less to start steamboat line"
The judge picked up shaving with
the point Of his cane and twirled 1t
complacently.
Sometimes an idea is worth more
than capital he observed, but with an
odd look in his eyes, Let me see. l
think you said a hundred thousand !"
eyes," Jake found himself saying,
with reluctant eagerness. My idea
was stock company capitalized at
r. .r1 CHI OF
81, 900 each. we should" He paused
abruptly and, in sudden revulsion of
feeling. took up hammer as though
to resume work. But excuse me for
allowing myself to be carried away,
judge. I've thought over the scheme
until it has grown very real and per
sonal. It's sure thing if one can go
into 1t. / can't. Even the few hun
dred had saved were sunk In my rail
road survey down the shore
The judge smiled indulgently.
That's all right, Jake" he said.
profitable enterprises usually have a
combination of brains and capital. We
are ready to furnish the capital. In
brief, will take thirty shares and my
brother and friend fifteen shares
each That will give us controlling
vote. Then I'm sure Lawyer Blake
and three or four others will take from
FIVE to ten each There will be no diff
ficulty in floating the stock"
Jake dropped his hammer.
.'Do you really mean." he asked
huskily, that you intend to go into this
thingg'
"Of course" Then q little hurriedly,
Il was ather-abrupt with you before
because because make it business
rule never to go into anything without
ample time for deliberation. Under
stand? Come to my house at o'clock
this afternoon and we will fix up the
papers. You will be superintendent
and general manager"
wait moment, Judge" cried Jake
as the visitor moved toward the door.
"How do you dare toto trust me? l
have heard you say that all of my
name were well, thieves"
''Oh, tut, tut, boy! That was In
moment of petulance. AS to trusting
JQdt al CAllStudt1Nai c411&AC tWAhNAAtAe
the corners of his mouth, remember
have known you good many years.
And-er--I am really glad to be asso-
ciated with the name" With that the
judge turned away, chuckling and MUIR
muring to himself, Il do believe the
boy has not seen the paper yet.'
Ten minutes later as Jake was me-
cnanically putting his tools away he
heard other footsteps coming around
the cabin, this time light, nervous and
hurried Turning, he found himself
face to face with Lawyer Blake.
Good morning, Jake. Didn't ] see
Judge Potter leaving here just now?
hope 1t wasn't about the boat scheme
was considering
eyes, 1t was just that" Jake answer
ed dryly: about the boat scheme you
refused to consider. He has arranged
for shares enough to assure its sue
cess"