The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1908-03-27
Fortunes Smile
The Inventive Intellect Of
Mrs. Peavy

II wish we were rich" said Mr..
Peavy
And having delivered himself of this
| original remark, recited with an in
finite depth of feeling, he looked over
at Mrs. Peavy and sighed.
well, Paul." said Mrs. Peavy, put
ting aside her needlework and folding
her hands on the table, how can we
get rich?"
That's It," said Mr. Peavy, laugh
ing bitterly. "How?"
Let's think it out" said Mrs. Pea
Wy in her practical manner. How do
people get rich?"
That's it again." complained Mr..
| Peavy. 'How?'
There's Mr.. Rockefeller" unused
Mrs. Peavy. How did he make his
money!"
I'm the oil business"
WELL" she said, smiling brightly,
IT'S an old saying that what one man
has done another can do. Isn't there
some way you can start In the oil bust
ness, Paul."
mot on the same SCALE" said Paul.
1T all depends on the scale, you
know"
Very we'll. So much for the oil
business. Now, what about the meat
trust? Could you start a meat trust.
Paul?"
1T takes too much capital" sighed
Mr.. Peavy. you must think of some
thing that requires no capital That's
what you want to think Of"
Then" cried Mrs. Peavy, more
brightly than ever. I'VE must invent
something, Paul"
Yes, yes" said Paul, "but WHAT"
And from that moment the Peavy
family moved about wrapped in
thought, and when Mr.. Peavy went
down to fetch the coal he stood on
the stairs with the coalhod in his hand
for five full minutes graphing with
the genesis of thought. He pulled
himself together with a start, know
ing that Mrs. Peavy was waiting for
the coal, but when he entered the
kitchen he found that lady in a rev.
erie with the stove litter in her hand.
Paul" she said, her voice shaking
slightly, 81 believe I've got it,"
do your" asked Paul in jealousy.
yes" she said Il really believe
I've got it, l really believe l have"
What is it, them" asked Paul, and
he sat down like a man who is going
20 have much real enjoyment in eX-
ploding a theory.
Paul" she said, I'D rather not tell
you now. ! believe it would be I'M
lucky. I'll try 1t first and If it
works"
She fell into a reverie again
Though with look on her face that
was almost smugness) and she seemed
to be so full of her inspiration that
she might have stood for tableau of
Embodied Thought" and when she
put the coal on the fire it didn't ap-
pear to be Mrs Peavy who was doing
the act, but creative force, and when
she shook the stove down a few mo-
ments later it was as though invent
i've intellect were shaking obstacles
out of its path.
Yes" she said, firmly, I'm sure
have it-sure!"
rs it a manufactured article?"
asked Mrs. Peavy.
"Er-yes," she allowed
"Mineral?" asked Mr.. Peavy.
NO"
"Animal?"
NO"
"Vegetable?"
Now, Paul. you mustn't ask me
any more questions. If it works you
shall see it tomorrow night Now,
that's all I'm going to tell YOU"
"Um, said Mr. Peavy; "a manu-
featured article, vegetable substance
Is it a luxury"
But to this and all subsequent ques-
tons Mrs. Peavy answered never a
word, but preserved a silence so irri-
tating and yet withal so portentous
and mystifying that when Paul came
home next night his first words were:
We'll did 1t work."
did it," cried Mrs. Peavy, her eyes
shining But you must have your
supper first, Paul, and then I'll show
you"
And is it go?" asked M
Peavy, sitting down, honestly and
truly?"
us it," she cried. Paul! How
much does it cost to take one of those
tours around the world?"
80, a lot of money" said Mr.. Peavy.
Why"
20, nothing!" she said, her eyes
sparkling. you eat your soup!
Do you like those great big automo-
biles, Paul? Would you like to have
one for your very OWN
Il wouldn't mind" said Mr. Peavy.
"Why?"
30, nothing" she said, smiling glee.
fully. You eat your fish! . Ii
must be nice to wake up in the morn.
ing on your own private yacht and
catch trout and salmon for breakfast,
eh, Paul."
Great" said Paul. "Why?"
And being unable to restrain her.
self any longer she arose from her
chair hackonad M. peavy IN follow