Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-01-10

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= THE DOUGHTYS' =
y BUSINESS VENTURE Y
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y BY MELvA IONA GREGORY. y
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By MELvA IONA GREGORY.

Dut nv Whh StTlCtiy uOneSt. MT. DDuBntJ
knew he would do what he thought was
right.
well. you have the business started and
on a fair road TO success. and the recipe IL
a half interest. n l will put up the necessary
eapital?'
This was a far better offer than Mr..
Doughty had hoped for 50 he gladly ac-
cepted II. Mrs. Doughty was we'll pleased.
and felt that success was now a certainty.
They rented an empty house neat door
and htted It up for brewing on a large scale.
Their own home they turned into a packing
house. They hired q lot Of girls IN wrap
bottles others tn pack them, and still others
TO write addresses.
The business grew and nourished. Mr..
Doughty and Mr.. Ludlow scarcely found time
70 sleep, and Mrs. Doughty was equally as
busy. They sent in a novel advertisement
every few days. TO papers all over the coun-
they received. They sent out thousands of
trial bottles and although the profit was
not large. 1t paved the way for larger orders.
After a time they began to receive orders
from Wholesale drug houses. small at arst.
but increasing each time. until within a
year from the time they started, they were
doing a large business. IL was a paying
business-there was no doubt of that.
Mr.. Doughty was iubilant over their sue
cess. The anxiety and work was telling to
come extent on Mrs. Doughty's health 80
they decided TO take q little outing. Every
thing was running smoothly and Mr.. Ludlow
was a capable manager. They felt that the
business would go on Just as well without
them so they went to New York 10 spend
two or three weeks. They enjoyed 1t like
two children; but their enjoyment was
sbort-lived.
one night and after reading awhile, came
across an article. which made him catch his
breath. He gave a low whistle.
What is III" asked Mrs. Doughty. look
ing up from the paper she was reading.
Just listen! Gigantic Trust" Then fol-
lowed n long article giving complete details
OF a large drug syndicate which was being
formed. All the small companies would be
compelled to sell to them or be crushed
out Of existence. 1t 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 40 much careful
work. which was Just getting on a sure foot
ing and a paying basis, seemed a mere shell
to be crushed by the Trust. while they stood
by unable To prevent II. They felt sudden
ly old and helpless.
While they were still talking ~ their mis-
fortune. for they knew they would be unable
to cope with a large syndicate. one OF the
servants brought Mr.. Doughty a card. and
raid the gentleman was waiting in the parlor
TO nee him.
They gazed at the card curiously: the
name was unfamiliar to them.
u don't know him but III see what he
wants. Mother"
When Mr.. Doughty reached the parior. a
we'll dressed man with n business-like air.
met him with Mr.. Doughty, Of Doughty 4
THAT'S my name" said Mr.. Doughty.
"Ill come to the point at once. Per
haps you know of the drug trust that's being
formed and what II Will mean tn men in
business like yours. ! represent the trust,
and am authorized to make a deal with you,
II we can agree.
Now, 1t In our plan to buy up such bust
ness as yours. at a liberal hgure--if we can.
II you are not willing to sell out that way.
Of course you take the consequences. Arc
you willing to sell?"
II hadn't thought Of II. What are you
willing to pay, us?"
well. we have made inquiries. and under
stand your business pretty thoroughly. We
viii give You two hundred thousand. What
do you sayf"
Two hundred thousand dollars was a be-
wildering sum OF money to Mr.. Doughty. but
he could not close the deal without LudlOw's
consent so he said II must first nee my
partner. Wen let you know at an early
IAN right. Here's my address,"
Twenty years seemed tn have slipped fs0m
Mr.. Doughty In some mysterious way. He
fairly walked on air. lie caught Mother
In his arms and whirled her around the
room.
Hiram. let me go. This Is scandalous In
a man OF your year,. What sils yoa1 Are
Yes; crazy with Joy" he said. dropping
into a chair and hopping his face with 9
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"
hrs. DouHhty aiHlONt Wept LOT JOY " was
such q great fortune to them.
Why not telephone To Ludlow now and
settle II before we go back - she asked.
The very thing! Why didn't l think OF
that before -
Mr., Doughty went to the telephone and
called Ludlow IN. lie was only too glad Il
sell ut that figure. Mr.. Doughty then called
at the address given him and closed the
deal.
When he returned IN the hotel, he enc
Mother" planned their future like q younf
COuDle lust starting out In nfa