Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-05-07
CHAPTER XIV.

Three months later Walter arrived at
Columbus, the capital of the State, after
a business tour of considerable length,
during which he had visited from twenty
TO thirty different towns and villages He
had now got accustomed to the business,
and understood better what arguments to
employ to those whom he wished to pur-
chase his book. The consequence was
that he had met with a degree of success
which had far exceeded his anticpations
He had tested his powers. and found
that they were quite equal to the task
he had undertaken-that of earning his
own living He had padded his own canoe
thus far without assistance, and he felt
confident that, If his health continued
good. he should be able to do so here
after
After eating supper, and spending an
hour or two in the public room of the
hotel, Walter went up to his room. Here
he took out a blank boot, in which he
kept an account of his sales and expendi-
lures, and, taking piece of paper, fig
ured up the grand result. He wished TO
know just how he stood.
After brief computation he said,
with satisfaction, II have sold two hun
dred and eighty books, which gives a
gross profit of three hundred and fifty
dollars My expenses have been exactly
two hundred and sixty three dollars. That
leaves me eighty-seven dollars net profit"
This was result which might well
Weld Walter satisfaction. He was only
fifteen. and this was his first business ex-
perience Moreover, he was nearly a
,rJ Y,,ilaa frop, \
friends, surrounded by strangers. Yet. by
his energy and business ability, he had
been able TO pay all his expenses, and
these, of course, were considerable. as he
was constantly moving, and yet had made
a dollar a day clear profit.
THAT is rather better than working for
my board in Mr.. Drummond's store" he
reflected Il am afraid it would have
taken me a long time to make my for
tune if | had stayed there. | wonder
how my amiable cousin Joshua is getting
along"
This thought led to the sudden recol-
lection that he had written to Mr.. Shaw.
asking him TO write to the hotel at Co
lumbus. where he WAS now stopping Civ
ing him any news that he might consider
interesting. Such a letter might be await
ing him.
He went downstairs, and approached
the clerk.
Have any letters been received here
for me?" he inquired.
What name?" asked the clerk.
Walter Conrad"
There is a letter for that address 1t
was received week since"
Give it TO me- said Walter, eagerly
He took the letter. and recognized at
once in the address Clement Shaw's ir-
regular handwriting. Cut off, as he had
been for over a month. from all COM
munication with former friends. he grasp
ed the letter with sensation of joy, and
hurried back to his room TO read it quiet
ly. and without risk of interruption.
The letter ran as follows:
my Dear Young Friend have just
received your letter asking me to write
your address, as | have matter of inn
portance to speak of. First. however, let
me congratulate you on the success you
have met with as book agent 1t is not
business to which / should advise you
to devote yourself permanently; but l
have no doubt that the experience which
you acquire, and the necessary contact
into which it brings You with different
classes of people, will 90 you good, while
the new scenes which it brings before
your eyes will crafty the natural love
of adventure which you share in common
with those of your age. When you set
out. l had misgivings as to your success,
/ admit. 1t was certainly an arduous
undertaking for boy of fifteen; but
you have already demonstrated that you
are able to paddle your own canoe. and
/ shall hereafter feel\ confident of your
success in life, SO far (at least as relates