The Washington herald., 1911-08-27

about seventy-five miles north and west.
He wanted to operate in a bigger place.
In a little while he began to write for
money. l was then dealing in agricul-
tural implements. When l had sent all
l had saved to Lakota, about $780, I
went there and investigated conditions.
The merchant had trusted everybody
and was heavily in debt. / again took
the management of his affairs. Event
ually | bought him out. l made $4,000
the first year I was in business. Since
then l have lived at Lakota. In those
days all a farmer had to do was to
break up the sod, throw in the wheat
and cut forty bushels TO the acre.
The Art of Selling Goods.
Running a country store is an art
that no one can satisfactorily describe -
Senator Gronna went on to say. "a
merchant must know his stock, must
count the threads in his cotton cloth,
and must give an honest personal opinion
concerning the different articles he has
for sale. Meanwhile, he should not talk
too much. Salesmanship isn't a matter
of oratory, but of candor and common
sense. l have seen a merchant leave his
old store, move into a new building and
lose many of his best customers. He
was thought to be unduly prosperous by
some. Others didn't feel like buying and
opening a can of sardines for lunch for
fear of getting oil and cracker crumbs
on the clean floor
The right sort of a country merchant
is a leader in business. politics, and re-
ligion. He settles disputes and keeps
families together. He gives financial
advice and prevents lawsuits. Tempera-
mentally, he must fit into his employ
ment and the community. An artist can't
explain how he puts feeling and soul into
his pictures. A merchant in the country
cannot pass the secrets of his success
to his son or his successor. Indeed, he
is never sure himself of the reasons for
his prosperity
You live near to the Canadian border"
1 said Are any Americans from your
neighborhood moving across the line?"
Sixteen thousand men, women, and
children left North Dakota for Canada
last year. OF the 20S, 1874 immigrants
reaching that country from all parts of
the world during the twelve months end
ed March 81, 1910, nearly half of them, or
10S,79S, to give figures, came from the
United States. Farmers in North Dakota
and elsewhere in the Northwest are emf
grating because they can sell their land
for from $50 to $50 an acre and obtain
homesteads In Canada for nothing. 1t is
a strange and disagreeable fact, but we
In this country are putting vexations
and difficulties in the way of settlers. In
Canada the government is smart and
kind enough t1 help them. There in
spectors go abott advising farmers as to
crops and the Ia nd laws. Here inspectors
snoop around on the theory that the little
man with a quarter secrion is probably
rascal. The Zig man. Judged by the
treatment he receives. is regarded as an
honest citizen and patriot.
How Ages is Harnss Settlers.
'T know young university woman"
Senator Gronnk said. leaving generalities
for details. She is the wife of prairie
farmer. When she entered her house ono
morning, SITTER milking the cows, she
found government inspector looking
throughphe drawers OF her bureau. Seiz-
ing her kun, she drove him into the road.
Tne o4ect of his peculiar and unlawful
conduf was never, explained. Doubtless
he q looking for documents and let
~ old man came to see me not long
He had walked thirty miles. TAX
dp . homestead. he aug two wells.