Year: 1869

men who would be glad of his assis-
tance, but of what consequence would
the few dollars he could earn only by
the sweat of his brow be in the end?
He would take matters easy, and when
the business came up, he would strike
at it with all his energies.


There were several little improve
ments he ought to make about his own
premises; but what was the object in
fitting up 80 much when 1t wasn't at all
likely that he should always live there?


The third day brought the longed for
letter. John placed it in his pocket and
hastened home. His heart was light,
and he almost ran for part of the dis.
tance. There was a thicket beside the
road, and into this Boyden turned to
read his important missive. First he
pulled out large circular, which he
merely glanced at His countenance fell
little as he perceived it treated of gold
watches, but he pulled out the letter
accompanying, and ran over the con-
tents of that as soon as he could decyph-
er it. 1t was all flattery, stating that
from the tenor of his letter they felt
sure he was the very man they wanted
in that section, to introduce the new
hunting case watch they were import
ing in vast quantities from Switzerland;
concluding by saying that they would
do anything to favor him, and hoped to
receive an order for at least one case,
which he could hardly fail to sell in any
town in single day.


John glanced over the circular to find
what was meant by case, and what they
cost. He read.


"Put up in cases of six each ,and sent by
express, prepaid, to any part of the
country, on receipt Of price-Sl5O per
case. Every watch will sell for from
S75 to $10O-often more than that"


Here was blow for the young mans
hopes. Notwithstanding the immense
profits, it would require considerable
capital on which to commence. He
read the whole sheet over carefully, and
his heart beat with satisfaction as he
reflected that such timepiece never
had been realized in that section. There
were certificates appended from many
eminent men, whom he never heard of
to be sure, but of what matter was that?
They had used the watches, and found
them all that human ambition could
crave He thought over the matter.
The parties expressed desire to assist
him-perhaps they would deviate from
their established terms to do so.


He wrote TO them representing his in
ability to purchase an entire set, and
askin, for some arrangement by which
he could commence upon small scale |;
adding that he intended to put the
business through. and save handsome
sum from the large margin for profit.
He did not stop to reflect upon the prob
abilities of the case, or to analyze the
proposition ,hs man less credulous than
himself would have done. He was only
allured by the golden prospects which
gave such unbounded promises.
In n few days came the answer from
the proprietors. 1t was not their way
| Vi thSy "ictsS cue 90 hS
seemed about the right kind of agent,
they would break a package for his es-
pecial benefit, ,and he could send for such
a number AS he wished at the same
price per watch as though he had taken
o package. His heart leaped with de-
light at the generosity. He could raise
twenty-five, perhaps fifty dollars, and
then he would be on the high road to
success! He said nothing of his plans,
for he was determined to astOnish his
friends generally when he made his first
real speculation. With the little money
he had saved from his daily toil-and
| which was needed for more than one
| urgent use-and such amount as he bOr-
rowed, the price ofa single watch was
raised and forwarded.


True to the appointed day came an in
nocent little box through the mail to
his address. Putting it in his pocket
he started for home His feet had new
er seemed so light before. He sprang
along the road with an agility that sur
prised ali who saw him. Turning into
the thicket as before, he broke open the
package. There IL iay--the shining
pretty thing! He took it out carefully,
and after admiring the elegance OF its
general appearance, despite some flaws
in the finish, he put it back carefully.
He would say nothing to Susan of this,
but would go to an adjoining town and
sell it for hundred dollars, and twenty
five if possible-enough to buy the bal
ance Of the set.


The following day he made false pre-
tences-the fist which he had ever felt
it necessary to use with his wife-and
set off for the town. 1t was good eight
miles, but he reached it by noon, and
after taking lunch he dropped into a
jewelers. establishment.


"I'll see what he says about it,"
thought John, "and may be he'll give
me fair price forit. If he does think
I'll take it, for what is twenty-five OF
thirty dollars to me now?"


Sure enough, here was vital ques
tion.


He was addressed by u smiling, good





natured sort of man, to whom he gave
the watch with Il perceptible pride o
manner.


"About what would you call tina
timepiece worth 20 he asked.


The man glanced it over, and some
thing of smile appeared upon hi
features.


."Where did you get thise" he asked
eyeing John curiously. t .-H. ...
"Me? oh, Pm agent for 'em in thi
vicinity" he said, somewhat proudly
and rather mistaking the feeling whicl
| prompted the question.
"Ah! indeed ?n said the jeweler, look
, ing at him again, show do you sci
, Temp .....
, "Well, hadn't really set a price,
: stammered John, 10 whom trading wa