Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-04-09
CHAPTER XVIII.

Walter found a good dinner ready for
him at u o'clock, which he enjoyed the
more because he felt that he had earned
il in advance He waited till about .
o'clock. and again set out, this time in
a different direction. In, some places he
was received politely; in others he was
treated as humbug. But Walter was by
this time getting accustomed to his posi-
.iou. and found that he must meet dis
agreeable people with as good humor as
he could command. One farmer was will
ing to take the hook if he would accept
pay in apples, of which he offered him
two barrels; but this offer he did not for
a moment entertain, judging that he
would find it difficult to carry about the
apples, and probably difficult to dispose
of them. However. he managed to sell
two copies. though he had to call at TWEEN
ty places to do it. Nevertheless, he felt
well repaid by the degree of, success he
met with.
Five books sold to-day ~ thought Wal
ter. complacently, as he started on his
walk home. That gives me six dollars
and quarter profit. | wish l could
keep that up
But our young merchant found that he
was not likely to keep up such sales. The
next day he sold but two copies, and the
day succeeding three. Still, for three
DAYS and half the aggregate sale was
eleven copies, making a clear profit OF
thirteen dollars and seventy-6ve cents. A:
the end of the week he had sold twenty
copies; but to make up this number he
had been obliged to visit one or two neigh.
boring villages.
He now prepared TO move on. The
next place at which he proposed to stop
for few days we will call Bolton. He
had already written to Cleveland for a
fresh supply of books to be forwarded
TO him there He had but two books left.
and his baggage being contained in 6
small yalise, he decided to walk the dis
lance, partly out of economy, but princi-
pally because it would enable him to see
the country at his leisure. During The
Srst FIVE miles he succeeded in selling
both books. which relieved him of the
burden of carrying them, leaving him only
his valiSe.
Walter was strong and stout. and en-
loved his walk There was freshness
aud novelty about his present mode oil
life, which he liked. He did not imagine
he should like to be a book agent all his
life, but for time he found it quite
agreeable.
He stopped under the shade of q large
elm and ate the lunch which he haG
brought with him from the inn. The
sandwiches and apples were good. and
with the. addition of some water from 8
~ IL
lunch. When he resumed his walk after
resting couple of hours, the weather haG
changed In the morning it was bright
sunshine Now the clouds had gathered
and storm seemed imminent. To make
matters worse, Walter had managed tC
stray from the road. He found himself
walking in a narrow lane. lined on either
side by thick woods. Soon the rain came
pattering down. at first in small drops
but quickly poured down in a drenchins
shower. Walter took refuge in the woods
congratulating himself that he had solo
the books, which otherwise would layt
run the risk of being spoiled.
Il wish there were some house nearby
in which could rest" thought Walter
The prospect of being benighted in tn,
woods in such weather was far f,ou
pleasant.
Looking around anxiously, he espied s
small footpath, which he followed, hoping
but hardly expecting. thlt it might leaC
to some place of refuge. To his agree
able surprise he emerged after few min
utes into small clearing. perhaps hal
an acre in extent, in the middle of which
was rough cabin. 1t was a strany,
place for house, but, rude as It was