The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1910-03-25
How | Got
Ny Start
Story Of a Man Who Made
Little Fortune In
One Night.
BY REGINALD D. HAVEN.
BY REGINALD D. HAVEN.

BY REGINALD d. HAVEN. :
9 Copyright. 1910. by American Press .
Association, .
commandments
l was working for small wages for a
safe and lock company. My work was
mending locks that had got out of or
der and doing other odd Jobs that re-
quired some knowledge of the bust
ness. was anxious to get my affairs
IN shape to marry my present wife, but
didn't see much prospect. The con.
Germ was with kept me tinkering all
the while. and when 1t wanted a man
to start branch Office or something
like that it would choose one of the
clerks in the Office.
! had gone home one evening and
had my supper when there was ring
at the doorbell and boy handed me
q note. 1t was written on letter
head of big manufacturing firm and
said that Mr.. Darlington, treasurer Of
the company worked for, had rec.
commended me for a special job and
asked that come around to the Office
as soon US convenient.
Catching up my tool bag, which
had brought home with me. went
with the boy to the Office Of the man.
ufacturing company. pleased with the
prospect of making tenner. and
found there tall. handsomely dressed
man. with gray hair and mutton chop
whiskers. and two or three clerks sit
ting on stools working over ponderous
books.
"Can you open that safe?' asked the
man with the gray whiskers. We've
got lot of work to do here this even.
ing. and our cashier, who knows the
combination, went out of town this
afternoon"
looked at the name Of the maker
in gold letters Oh the safe. made my
observations and told the gentleman
that didn't know any way to picl
the lock without drilling hole where
could get at the tumblers and thai
would involve considerable expense tt
put his safe in order again.
Never mind the expense" he sait
impatiently. 1--we got to put III bic
tomorrow on hundred thousand rifle.
for the army, on which Ill make hal
q million. The specifications are al
in there. l must get them out and &
over them to see that they are right
The slightest slip in any detail will
throw out my bid. Come; get t.
work."
plunged my hand into my bag, go
out my brace and bits. adjusted then
and was soon at work.
Now. as worked 1t occurred to mi
that here was the opportunity of my
life Ii this gentleman was dependen
for his half million on me to get hin
into the safe. why shouldn't have
something more than a beggarly tel
dollar bill: l saw that he was i'm
patient and thought might get al
offer to do the work within givel
limit Of time.
I'm afraid" said, this is goinl
to be an all night job"
See here. young man." said tn
gentleman. 'is there anything yo'
want especially that costs lot NOR
annnev than vnr'vp got Ys
Yes. there Isl replied. II want
girl"
"Oh, can't give you grill"
II could get the girl quick enougl
II had anything to marry on"
HIM" said the gentleman. biting a
my hook. II see. How soon can 20
guarantee to open the safe if it's mad
worth your while to hurry?'
''Three-quarters of an hour"
Very well. II you'll do it in tina
time I'll give you $4,000. II you do
In thirty minutes Ill make it $1,000.
:'Give me bit Of writing for that,
said. And without waiting for hir
to do so began to drill furiously. m
Jacket making terrible sound.
''Mr. Perkins" said the gentlema
to one OF the clerks. take the typ
writer and write to my dictation."
One Of the clerks sat down at
typewriting machine and wrote out
contract to cover the agreement mad
with me. When 1t was finished til
gentleman signed it and gave it to M
] wasn't going to be fooled. so stol
ped drilling and read it.
Write at the bottom Of It," SAT-
'.the money to be paid before the sal
Thomas Jakeaway leaves this Office
He took the paper to his mahogar
desk and wrote what required. viii
went on drilling.
do you have to make all tn
noise?' he snapped. Cant you pl
some oil or something on your drill
They'll think outside there's bu
giary going on in here. II they con
: In to investigate I'd have to explai
and there'd be a lot Of delay"
'.The Easter work." said. ''tl
more noise"
.'Mr. Perkins, you 60 on typewritin
Never mind what you write. Nal
enough ciatter to drown this boring
..All right. sir" And the young m.
began to pound the keys 30 hard til
! thought he wouid break something
I was working like . beaver VIII,
the gentleman came and stood ov
me. watching me. Suddenly my bra
slipped. and ~ ! was pressing ha