Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1907-04-11
Charles Edward
SeHSAnHVenfiOn
By Harrison Rhodes
Copyright. by Joseph B. Bowles.>

shortest time after Turner, the inven.
tor, had been lunching with Charles
Edward Austin and his wife, Lady An.
gela. that he was engaged in some
what long account of his experiments
in artificial refrigeration.
Turner had perfected what one may
describe briefly as an ice-making ma.
chine of great efficiency. Turner's
Invention enabled one, with trifling
expenditure of money and trouble to
carry the inestimable comforts of cool
drinks and of healthful and fresh food
everywhere.
This is no longer experimental"
inquired Charles Edward. "You can
really do this?"
Yes" said Turner.
But what 1 don't understand" con-
tinued Charles Edward, sis why 1
find you saying you're down on your
luck. You ought to be within fifteen
or twenty minutes, the richest man
living"
ooh, don't know" murmured Tur-
ner. II don't understand anything
about business. And l thought my in
vention would be so splendid for the
army"
Wonderful for field hospitals" said
Lady Angela.
eyes," assented Turner, brighten
ing, "and so I've been trying to sell
the whole thing to the government.
But it's no good. l thought l had
better not sell my patent altogether,
so l offered to sell the government
for five years the right to make my
machine for the use of the army,
for" and he hesitated-"for fifteen
hundred dollars"
Charles Edward turned to the in
ventor.
Your machine is worth fifteen thou
sand, well worth it, isn't it?"
yes, suppose it really is"
Then, why" pursued Charles Ed
ward, when you only ask fifteen hun
dred do you expect the war depart
ment will ever think it worth more?
"You may take it from me-" he went
on-"that if you offer a thing for less
than its worth no one will believe it is
worth anything. No one will trust
it, no one will believe it is genuine.
Why, dare say might go up to the
capitol and offer to every one who
came along"
Charles Edward stopped with ex-
traordinary abruptness and his eye
cleaned. Lady Angela leaned for
ward.
WELL" said Charles Edward at
length with the utmost calm, "to-mor.
row upon the steps of the capitol I
will publicly prove all that I have just
been saying, and trust end in selling
your invention to the war department
for reasonable price"
At about II the next morning
western member, hurrying to an APP
pointment for which he was already
late, descended the steps of the capt.
toll two at a time. Half way down
he was stopped by a young gentleman
who had been standing contemplative-
ly in the sun.
II beg your pardon" began the
| stranger, in tone at once confiden-
tial and confident, putting his hand
upon the legislators arm.
I'm sorry" broke in the congress-
man, but | can't give you a moment
If you want an interview come to the
! Ebbitt house tonight about nine and
ask for me-.
That would be delightful" said the
young man. But 1 don't know who
you are"
Don't know who am! Then why
the dickens have you stopped me?"
81 wished to propose to you," was
the response, that you should buy
this twenty dollar gold piece for five
dollars. Will you buy?'
| do you take me for fool?'
No, naturally you wouldn't buy it
at this price. You don't believe it's
| good. Neither do the people in the
war department"
Have you been trying to sell TWEEN
ty dollar gold pieces to them for five
dollars?"
Not exactly" said Charles Ed
ward, but friend of mine has been
doing what amounts to the same
thing"
is your friend as mad as you are?"
he asked at last, surprised at himself
for putting the question so seriously.
There is more method in my mad
ness. You stay and watch if you
like No one will buy from me-
Hi, there, joel" shouted the west
ern member as if in response to this
A fat man with a red tuft on his chin
turned and came towards them
Here's good thing for you, Joe, "
continued his friend. Twenty dollars
for five"
The newcomers comment was in al
most TOO picturesque and extravagant
language, yet the would-be salesman
did not seem downcast.
"This story" remarked the repre-
sentative of Metropolitan journal
wnu had just joined the crowd, with
care, can be made warm one. Would
you as soon as not" he asked Charles
Edward, "try it once again, just to let