The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-01-22
A Napoleon
OF Finance
BY ROGER L. SIMPSON


the best of the bargain. He was a
miniature mutimillionaire of the pres.
( ent day, a sort of whirlpool sucking in
all things that came within certain
radius We boys at the school could
not figure out how he did it. 1t was
not pleasant when we got new knife
or sled or pair of skates to have Span
gler come around with something posi-
lively dazzling and offer to trade. for
we knew in the end he would have
spite of ourselves our avarice would
get the better of us. and we would
lose what we had in an attempt TO get
something better The funny part of
II all was that we never could detect
the boy in the slightest dishonesty or
even sharp practice. When he had
anything TO dispose Of or was offering
a trade, ne would say: "Now. fellers.
I'd rather you wouldn't There are
certain things about this racket I'm
giving up | don't like, but you may
not object to them. AS for me, don't
know whether shall be satisfied with
what you've got or not. Anyway, l
won't blame you if I'm not"
BY the time he left school he had
all the jackknives, tops, marbles, kites
and other such boys belongings. He
went to the high school, and though he
didn't capture any prizes he took away
all the best tennis rackets, footballs
and hockey skates. He got through
with his education when he was nine
teen, and those OF his class who didn't
go to college, but went into business,
were surprised to hear that Spangler,
instead of learning something about
mercantile affairs, was going in at
once to be full dedged producer.
And when they heard what he was
going to do every one smelled revenge
He was going to raise chickens.
| told my father about Spangler's
move. and he said 1T is impossible
to raise chickens and eggs at profit,
because the farmer, with whom you
must compete, will not look upon
his chickens as an asset In other
words, he is ready to sell them for
what he can get and consider ii SO
much gained" / told this to the boys,
and they all agreed that, although
Spangler's way of getting things had
been all very we'll at school, now that
he had got out into the world he
would find he was not so superior to
us after ALL We were told that If
there was any way of making money
out of chickens 1t must be right along
side of good market, but when We
heard that Spangler had bought with
money of his own--the things he had
acquired of US turned into cash-a lit
tie farm away off in the country, with
no available road to market, we howl
ed with delight.
One grudge bore the trader. / had
a diamond ring that had been worn
by an aunt of mine and which she had
willed me. Spangler got it. If l re
correctly, In place of 1t l had
a pair of skates, four kites, a bag OF
marbles and gold watch and chain,
both the latter plated.
Well, this is the way Spangler work
ed chicken farming: He bought up all
the chickens in the vicinity Of his
farm. When we heard that we con-
cluded the farmers must buy from
him all the chickens they needed for
their tables. Then some one suggest
ed that farmers never eat chickens:
when they have them they sell them;
when they don't have them they take
no interest in them. 1t was evident
that Spangler had got out of his depth,
The effrontery Of the man was made /
manifest when he sent me circular
that he was distributing among his /
neighbors He had lost the diamond |
ring that had been mine. He didn't |
know, but he believed that one of his
chickens had swallowed 1t. Then fol- !
lowed the announcement that his |
chickens were for sale at reasonable /
prices and If any one should happen
to buy the one that might have swal-
lowed the ring he would be some $40
TO the good.
When / read this circular all my
ideas of revenge diffused like vapor
| saw his scheme. But surely the har-
dy sons Of toll in the country would
not be taken in by this cheap device.
| ground my teeth together and wait
ed. Presently | got another circular
stating that so per cent of spangler's
chickens had been sold and the ring
had not been reported found The re-
half were still for sale, but
The price had been doubled.
What nonsense. Pay 50 for chick
IN that might possibly have swallow
ID diamond ring. | couldn't believe
hat any more farmers would be guiled.
especially since this ridiculous price
lad been put on a chicken. But they
we're. Spangler sold 40 per cent OF
he remaining chickens at So each. then
'aised the price on the remaining ten
.hickens--skin and bone-to So apiece.
aking three old ROSTERS himself. The
ing was found In the crop of one or
he traders birds.
When had finished my story Thomp-
on asked what had become of this Ma
,oleon of finance | told him that
spangler acquired all the land round r
bout his farm, then went to the city,
aised company to build a town on
/. sold out his interest at a big price.
,ecame a promoter and was now at
he head of one OF those mammoth in