Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-03-19
CHAPTER VII

seat, or, rather, half a seat. for there sat
next to him brisk, energetic-looking man
of about thirty years of age. He had been
reading the morning paper, but apparent
ly he had got through with it, for he fold
ed it up and put it in his pocket.
Fine day." he said, briskly.
Yes sir, very fine" answered Walter.
Some people are affected by the wealth
err; | am not" pursued his fellow trav-
eler. Il feel as smart one day as an
other. I'm always cheerful. I've got too
much business to do to NOPE. When a
mans got enough to busy himself about,
he hasn't time to be in the Dumps"
There's a good deal in that" said
Walter.
"Of course there is. Push along, keep
moving, that's my motto. Are you in
businessW
mo, sir, not at present"
I'm in the subscription book business
got an Office in New York. We send
out agents everywhere to canvass for our
publications. Lots of money in it."
lis there?'
Eyes. l used to be an agent myself,
and, though / say it, L don't think there
are many agents that can get ahead of
me- Sometimes l used to make twenty
dollars a day. At last l thought I'd like
to settle down, so l bought partnership,
and now, instead of being an agent,
send out agents"
Isn't twenty dollars day pretty large
for an agent to make?" asked Walter
Eyes, there are not many who do it,
but plenty make from five to ten right
along. You look as if you would make
good agent"
What makes you think 500" asked
Walter.
You look smart"
Thank YOU" said Walter, laughing.
Il am afraid you won't think so much
of my ability when 1 tell you that l
have been working for the last three
months for my board"
Its a shame. You'd better come with
us. Wen do much better by you than
that"
81 am going to consult some friends
about my future plans. If you are will
| ing to tell me a little of your business,
| will think of what you propose
II have with me our latest publication
It's going like wildfre. Just the thing
to please the people. l will show it to
you"
Walter looked with interest while his
new acquaintance drew out from a car
petbag, which he had beneath the seat. a
| good-sized parcel wrapped in brown pa
| per. Untying it, he produced a bulky
octave, in fiashy binding, and Astounding
in illustrations. He opened the book and
turned over the leaves rapidly.
It's stuffed full of illustrations. you
see," said he. .1'he expense of the pic
lures alone was absolutely e-nor- nous y
| he added, dwelling upon the last word by
way of emphasis. But we're going to
make it pay The sale will be immense
Our agents already in the field report re-
markable sales
What's the title of the book?" asked
Walter, who had yet been unable to de-
termine this point, by reason of the rapid
turning of the pages.
"'Scenes in Bible Lands We include
other countries besides Palestine. and
we've made book thatll SELL Most every
family will want one"
What terms do you offer to agents?"
''Why, the book sells at retail at three
dollars and fifty cents. OF this the agent
keeps one dollar and twenty-five cents
Pretty good, isn't it?''.
"Yes, | should think it was"
You see you have only to sell foul
| copies a day to make FIVE dollars II
you're smart, you can do better than
that"
1t really did seem very good to Waiter
who couldn't help comparing it with the
miserable wages he had received from Mr.
Drummond.
81 think that would pay very WE'LL
he said.
Most paying business out" said the
other. Say the word, and I'll engage
you on the spot"
Where would you want me to sell?"
Il should like to have you go West
This way districts are mostly taken up
Il would give you a good chance to travel
and see the world"
Now Walter was, like most other young
people. fond of new scenes, and this con-
sideration was weighty one. 1t would
| enable him to travel, and pay his expenses
while doing so.
Better say the word"
Il can't say now. l must see my
friends first
well, I'll give you the number of our
Office in New York. When you get ready
report TO us there, and we'll put you in
the field"
| To this Walter assented, and asked sew.
eral questions further, to which he re-
ceived encouraging answers. The stran
ger gave him his card. from which ouI
hero learned that he had made the &C
quaintance of Mr.. James Pusher. of the
firm of Flint & Pusher. subscription pub
fishers, Nassau street, New York
| "Good-by," said Mr.. Pusher. cordially
when Walter left the train for the Will
loughby station; hope to see you again.
Thank you," said Walter; very likely
you. will"
| Taking his carpetbag in his hand. fol-
he had arranged to have his trunk come
next day, he walked over to the house OF
| Mr. Shaw, his fathers executor.
Mr.. Shaw was in his Office. little one
story building standing by itself little
to the left of his house. He was busily
writing. and did not at once look up
| When he saw who it was, he rose up an6
welcomed Walter with a smile
| L III very gnu 10 SEE you, Ndllei. hs
said. II was just wishing you were here
When did you leave Stapleton?'
This afternoon. Mr.. Shaw. l have
just reached Willoughby. What progress
have you made in settling the estate:"
Il can give you some idea of how il
stands There will be something left, but
not much. After paying all debts, includ
ing Nancy's, there will certainly be 6
thousand dollars but if you pay Nancy's
legacy. that Twill take half of this sum-
The legaay shall be paid said Wal
ter, promptly, mo matter how little re
mains. l am glad there is enough fol
that"
Il honor Your determination. Walter
but l don't think Nancy will be willing
to take hall of what you have left
Then Eon't let her know how little il
is"
There is a chance of something more
have made no account of the Grea
metropolitan Mining stock. of which youl
father heldkshares to the amount of ont
hundred thoj sand dollars. cost price. How
these will COY e out is very uncertain, bu
T think ,,e IA get something. Suppose