Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-01-02

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3 THE DOUGHTYS' =
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y BUSINESS VENTURE =
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6p By MELvA IONA GREGORY. e
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BY MELvA IONA GREGORY.

Ludlow was considered close by some
but he was strictly honest Mr.. Doughty
knew he would do what he thought was
WELL you have the business started and
on fair road to success. and the recipe is
yours. Now. what do you say~fo giving me
half interest. IL will put up the necessary
capital?"
This was far better offer than Mr..
Doughty had hoped for he gladly ac-
cepted 1t. Mrs. Doughty was well pleased.
and felt that success was now certainty.
They rented an empty house next door
and fitted it up for brewing on large scale.
Their own home they turned into packing
house. They hired a lot of girls to wrap
bottles others to pack them. and still others
to write addresses. Usi ~
The business grew and nourished Mr..
Doughty and Mr. Ludlow scarcely found time
to sleep. and Mrs. Doughty was equally as
busy. They sent In a novel advertisement
try, and were richly repaid by the orders
they received. They sent out thousands OF
trial bottles; and although the profit was
not large. i paved the way for larger orders
After a time they began to receive orders
from Wholesale drug houses. small at first.
but increasing each time. until within q
year from the time they started. they were
doing large business. IL was a paying
business-there was no doubt of that.
Mr.. Doughty was jubilant over their sue
cess. The anxiety and work was telling to
some extent on MIS-. DOOgntyS nealtn, so
they decided to take little outing. Every
thing was running smoothly and Mr.. Ludlow
was capable manager. They felt that the
business would go on just as we'll without
two or three weeks. They enjoyed 1t like
two children: but their enjoyment was
short-lived
Mr.. Doughty picked up an evening paper
one night and after. reading. awhile. came
across an article. which made him catch his
breath. He gave low whistle.
What is it," asked Mrs. Doughty. look
ing up from the paper she was reading
Just listen! Gigantic Trust" Then fol-
lowed long article giving complete details
of large drug syndicate which was being
formed. All the small companies would be
compelled to sell to them or be crushed
out of existence, II said.
When he had finished the article. they sat
and stared at each other, speechless. Before
them they saw nothing but ruin. The bust
ness they had built up with much careful
work, which was just getting on sure foot
ing and a paying basis. seemed a mere shell
to be crushed by the Trust, while they stood
by unable to prevent it. They felt sudden
ly old and helpless.
While they were still talking of their mis-
fortune. for they knew they would be unable
to cope with large syndicate, one of the
servants brought Mr.. Doughty a card, and
said the gentleman was waiting in the parlor
TO see him.
They gazed at the card curiously: the
name was unfamiliar to them.
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When Mr.. Doughty reached the parlor,
well-dressed man with business-like air,
met him with; mfr. Doughty. of Doughty g
Co.. believe"
That's my name" said Mr.. Doughty.
I'm come to the point at once. Per-
haps you know of the drug trust that's being
formed and what 1t will mean to men In
business like yours. represent the trust.
and am authorized to make deal with you,
II we can agree.
ness as yours. at a liberal fgure--if we can
III you are not willing to sell out that way.
of course you take the consequences. Are
you willing to SELF"
II hadn't thought Of 1t. What are you
willing to pay US?
ssWell, we have made inquiries, and UNDER
stand your business pretty thoroughly. We
win give you two hundred thousand. What
Two hundred thousand dollars was q be-
wildering sum of money to Mr.. Doughty, but
he could not close the deal without Lndlow's
consent; SO he said: II must first see my
partner. Wen let you know at an early
date"
IAN right. Here's my address,
Twenty years seemed to have slipped from
Mr.. Doughty in some mysterious way He
fairly walked on air. He caught Mother"
in his arms and whried her around the
Hiram, let me go, This is scandalous in
a man Of your years. What ais you? Are
you crazy"
Yes; crazy with JOY" he said, dropping
into a chair and hopping his face with a
handkerchief. THAT man was from the great
Trust, and he offered me two hundred thou
san dollars for our business. What do you
think Of that?'
Mrs. Doughty almost wept for joy; II was
such q great fortune 10 them.
Why not telephone to Ludlow now and
settle it before we go back?" she asked.
"The very thing Why didn't think OF
that before!"
Mr.. Doughty went to the telephone and
called Ludlow up. He was only too glad to
sell at that figure. Mr.. Doughty then called
at the address given him and closed the
deal
When he returned to the hotel, he and
Mother" planned their future like q young
couple just starting OFT In life.