The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1913-08-02
BURT MADE GOOD
Both Surprised and Pleased His
Father, Who Paved Way
to Success.
By N. J. COTTON.

BY NJ. J. COTTON.
well, Burt, have a chance for you
to make good at last Slim, perhaps.
but a chance, nevertheless. If you
| have any mettIe now is your chance to
! show it,
| Burt Sloan was not exactly a sue
cess from a business standpoint Too
much leisure and money had smoth-
cred any aptitude he had ever shown
in that line. The irritation and utter
lack of confidence or pride in his son
showed in the elder Sloane's tones and
| nettled the younger man
"Al right, dad, I'm on any time
you say. You've never trusted me
/ with anything worth considering. SO
how could make good?"
You've shown no great inclination
for business IN any FORM" continued
| the elder Sloan in a miIder tone, but
that's not here or there. The point is.
will you undertake this matteT?"
Sure, dad, if it's anything within
reason. Drive ahead; let's hear the
details
The elder Sloan deliberated an in
slant as if arranging his thoughts in
tangible form, then began:
ct cancerns our business and our
rivals, the United people. It seems
that up in northern Vermont the
cream separator is not looked upon
with special favor. Through ignor-
ance Of its value the farmers are pref
udiced and tenaciously cling to old
time methods.
Recently the United people have
landed in ono Of no town 9
and have sold several machines. When
those shrewd, hard-headed farmers
learn the full value of the separator,
they will begin to buy. and we want
to be in at the harvest.
Our objective point Is G. Not a
machine is owned in that town, and
living there is welI-to-do farmer, Will
liam Holden by name, very influential
hut obstinate as mule If we can
sell him an improved Harples, his
neighbors will follow suit like a flock
of sheep, and as news spreads like
ticks we can cover the whole country,
providing we can get ahead Of the
United crowd by mailing Holden.
Gleason, our man, has tackled him
and got dOwned, and so was Upham
of the Uniteds. It's stiff proposition,
my son, but I've got confidence in your
ability If the incentive is strong
enough. I think your pride will help
in this. Will you try"
you bet will, dad, and glad of the
chance. I'll get q Harples into Bill
| Holden's house If I have to make him
a present of it and stay and run ii"
Good. my son; go ahead and win.
| and luck to you"
On sober thought Burt realized he
was up against it good and hard. A
new man attempting what old expert
enced men had failed at was indeed a
stiff proposition.
He knew that his father had given
| him this chance, realizing that its diff
f1culties would apepaE to his pride and
ambition. And he was right. The
next day Burt started for Vermont, no
definite plan in view, only to sell Bill
Holden a separator somehow.
At the little backwoods station
where he got OF the train, he learned
that he had to drive five miles to Hol-
| den's farm. Hiring a team, he set out
for Holden's, if not with trepidatton
| at least with his confidence consider
ably abated.
No inspiration came to him as he
logged along the dustry country road
and as his courage was getting near
zero he was glad when a small boy
he accosted for information told him
/ the next place was Holden's.
The first thing he noticed when he
got in sight of the house was a big
sign by the roadside,
PIGS FOR SALE, INQUIRE AT
HOLDENS.
1t was then that mis- plan came to a
| head. A big, tall. raw-boned man was
saving wood in the front yard when
Burt drove up. Burt stopped and
waited until he had finished the stick
expecting he would stop and speak
but nothing OF the kind occurred. He
deliberately put up another stick on
the saWhorse and went on with his
saving.
Burt waited patiently. in some
amusement, until he had finished his
second stick; then he spoke; Pretty
busy. are your
Vas" briefly replied the sawyer
without looking up, and Immediately
began on the third stick
This finished Burt broke in again
Have you time to tell me where
can find Mr.. HoIden?"
Right here saving wood" and the
fourth was begun.
Burt calmly waited until it was fin
ished This time Holden spoke first
You can go right along. Mister
Don't want any separators, apple trees
horse Iiniment. physie, or corn plas
ters;" and stick number five was be
gun and finished in silence.
The situation was unchanged whe1
stick number SIX was placed on the
horse, and Mr.. Holden grudgingly Oh
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Filed Excuses.