The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-25


 The sale of that typewriter brought s15 l commission to Caldwell It was not much as commissions go, but it was lot of money to Caldwell at that time, and it was worth thousand times it's money value in it's effect upon his character.
 He had made sale-one of the hardest
 that it would be possible for him to pick out-and he had developed within him. self a power and an ambition that he never had known before. His report and returns from that first sale brought two typewriters from New York, and one of these he sold within few days to the leading lawyer of the little town. This exhausted the possibil- ties of the town, SO far as typewriters were concerned just then, and he had to look abroad for customers
 With 80 in commissions the outlook seemed promising to Caldwell. He went to Toronto, and there had a long and earnest talk with the superintendent or ms division. It was the one and proba- ply the last opportunity of his life, he explained, and he asked for a months
 leave of absence to try whether he could make success. If he failed to make good he would return to his station and his garden patch, and be a drudge for the rest of his existence.
 The division superintendent was as kind as he could be. Caldwell could have his leave of absence, and the superintendent although he would be sorry to lose so faithful an employe, wished him the best of luck. Further than that he told Gala we'll to call on him if he needed trans portation to any point where he had hone of making a sale. It didn't matter wheth- CT it was on their line or another. If it was on another road the division super intendent would ask for the pass. Fur ther than that, if Caldwell wanted to sea any one the superintendent. knew the su- perintendent would be glad to give him note of introduction.
 Now. Caldwell" said the division su- perintendent in parting, take advantage of every opportunity to sell your ma- chimes. They're good. Sell them wher- ever and whenever you can" Caldwell smiled. "If you weren't the kindest hearted man in the world" he said, I'd start right here and try to sell one to you"
 Good for you" said the superintendent laughing that's business. I'll go you. I'll put in requisition for one of your typewriters right now" That was fine start for Caldwell, but he had many disappointments and many rebuffs before his month was up. He had | 10 meet competition. too, competition that was well established. that had highly trained salesmen and that cut under him in price when necessary to make a sale. Sometimes it seemed hopeless to make headway against the odds he had to con tend with. The opposition concerns had offices, fine displays, well dressed sales men and, every accessory to well con- ducted business He had a room in a lodging house, and he tramped about the city with his sample machine under his arm. His clothes were none too good, and he had none of the polish of the other sellers. But he had some qualifications that the other statesmen were not so strong on He had the most absolute faith in his machine, and he had the most dogged resolution to succeed.
 In that month he sold six machines His commission was s9O. a handsome sum, compared with what he had been re- ceiving,, but now he had double expense, for out of it he had to pay for his living in Toronto, in addition to supporting his family at home. The s90 determined him to cut loose from the railroad forever.
 He went to his friend, the superintendent, and reported. The superintendent told him to keep right on selling the type writers, and if at any time he needed his old job back again it would be open for him.
 The second month showed a little bet ter on Caldwelrs books. A trip to Mon treal and some letters from the superin-
 tendent resulted in the sale of five ma- chimes. These, with eight sold in Toronto, and It's vicinity, brought Caldwell up to a position where he dreamed of affluence.
 He had been studying the maehires 3f his competitors and had decided on d stroke that simply was audacious in it's boldness.
 He wrote to the president of his com pany in New York. pointing out that un- lder present conditions the rival type