Chapter XV —
OUR VISIT TO LA GRANGE, IND.—TRADED FOR A HORSE—FOLLOWED BY AN
OFFICER, WITH A WRIT OF REPLEVIN—PUTTING HIM ON THE WRONG SCENT—HIS
RETURN TO THE HOTEL—THE HORSE CAPTURED—BROKE AGAIN—HOW I MADE A RAISE.
Our next trade was made near La Grange, Ind., with a man by the name of
Dodge. I remember the name on account of having read an article in a
Sturgis, Mich., paper, wherein it stated that two patent-right men had
recently dodged into La Grange, and after dodging around Mr. Dodge had
dodged him out of a valuable horse, with which they dodged over to
Michigan. This statement was perhaps correct enough, with the exception
of its reference to our dodging over into Michigan, as though we did it
to evade the Indiana laws. This was by no means the case, for we were
authorized agents for the patentee, and always did a strictly legitimate
business, even if we were, at times, “a little short financially.”
We took the horse over to Sturgis to try and sell him, stopping at the
Elliott House. Mr. Elliott, Proprietor, has since become one of my most
intimate friends, and is now running a hotel at Ludington, Michigan.
As we were sitting out in front of the Hotel, talking, one morning, I
noticed a stranger coming towards us, carrying a pitch-fork and
band-cutter in one hand, and in the other a large paper.
Mr. Elliott remarked:
“There comes Mr. Dodge’s son, now. Guess he is going out peddling your
patent.”
I “supposed so.”
This was not the case, however, for as he stepped up to Mr. Elliott he
inquired for Johnston, and when I was pointed out to him he made a
tender of the deed and model, and demanded the horse in turn.
I of course refused, whereupon he threatened to replevy, and at once
returned to his lawyer’s office.
At that moment a lawyer came up where we were, and Mr. Elliott helped me
to lay the case before him as quickly and plainly as possible, when he
advised that the best way for me, was to[Pg 206] get the horse out of the
county, where their papers would be of no avail. I immediately saddled
the animal and started towards Branch County, taking a rather circuitous
route for Burr Oak. I took dinner at Fawn River, with a Mr. Buck, an old
acquaintance of my “mother-in-law.”
Of course “mother-in-law” acquaintances were just as good as any, at
this stage of the game. I rode into Burr Oak just at dark, supposing it
to be in Branch County. After registering at the hotel and putting my
horse out, I took supper; and then began looking about for a buyer. I
very soon discovered that I was being shadowed, by a gentleman wearing a
wooden leg.
A WILY DETECTIVE ON THE WRONG SCENT
Upon inquiry, I learned that he was the Honorable Marshal of the town.
To note his manner one would have thought that he had corralled a Jesse
James. I didn’t worry much, however, because I knew I could out-run any
wooden-legged man in Michigan.
I then went over to the telegraph office and introduced myself to its
occupant as a brother operator. He invited me inside the office, and
asked me to make myself at home.
A few moments later the ten-o’clock train [Pg 207]arrived from the west, and
immediately after its departure the operator said he would have to go
down the track and attend to his switch-light, and requested me to
remain there till he returned.
During his absence a gentleman came to the office window, and very
excitedly inquired if I was the operator. I said:
“Don’t I look like one? What can I do for you, sir?”
“Well, see here: Has there been a young fellow here this evening by the
name of Johnston, sending messages to his wife, or to any one else?”
“Yes, sir, he was telling me about a patent-right trade he had made for
a horse. Guess he told me all about it.”
“Where is he now, I wonder?” was his next query.
“Come with me. I’ll show you right where to find him.”
I then led the way up street, and in the meantime questioned him as to
his business. He said he wanted to serve a writ of replevin and take the
horse. I then asked if he had papers that would do for Branch County. He
said he didn’t need Branch County papers, as Burr Oak was in St. Joseph
County.
This was most depressing news to me; but I walked along till I came to
a street running north, when I stopped, and pointing in that direction,
said:
“Now you go to the very last house on the left-hand side of this street,
and inquire for Johnston. If they say he isn’t there, you force your way
into the house. Don’t leave till you get in; and there’s no one here who
wouldn’t be only too glad to see that family come up with by a good
sharp detective. Now don’t fail to get in, for there you will find your
man.”
He thanked me several times, and after shaking hands with me, started on
the run.
I then hurried to the hotel and ordered my horse, which the landlord
refused to let me have, saying that notice had been served on him to
keep it locked up.
I sat down to await the coming of the great detective.
THE WILY DETECTIVE’S RETURN TO THE HOTEL
He soon made his appearance, and more resembled a tramp than the
polished official of a few moments before. It was plainly evident to me
that he had made a desperate attempt to follow my instructions. One-half
of the skirt of his Prince Albert coat was entirely missing; no hat,[Pg 211]
a piece torn from the seat of his pants, only half of his linen collar
left to grace his neck, and a single linen cuff to decorate his two
wrists; one sleeve of his coat in rags, one of his pant legs fringed
out, the perspiration running off him like rain-water, and one eye
closed. He came in panting and puffing and roaring like a lion.
“Find me a Justice of the Peace, at once! I’ll arrest the whole gang!”
“Arrest what gang? Who are you alluding to?” asked the landlord.
“Why, that gang up north here. I’ll arrest the whole mob, and shoot that
dog if I get killed for it!”
“Well, I supposed you were looking for Johnston?”
“Well, so I am; but they have him down there stowed away, and a whole
regiment of soldiers wouldn’t be able to get in, unless that dog is put
out of the way. And that pesky old woman looks more like the devil than
a human being. I wouldn’t venture back there alone for the whole north
half of Michigan!”
“But isn’t this the man you want?” pointing to me.
“The devil, no. What do I want of the [Pg 212]telegraph operator? I want
Johnston, but I’d give more for that —— old woman’s scalp and that
dog’s life than I would for a dozen Johnstons and all the horses in the
state, and I——”
“But,” interrupted the landlord, “this isn’t the operator; this is
Johnston,—or at least, he’s the man who rode the horse here.”
“The dickens he is!” shrieked the officer. “This is the man who sent me
up there, and—”
“Did you get in?” I asked, insinuatingly.
“Get in? I want you to understand this is no joke, sir!” said he, as he
came towards me in a threatening manner. “And if you’re Johnston you
ought to have your heart cut out. Look at me, look at me, sir: Do you
think there is anything funny about this?”
“Well, I thought I’d give you a little sharp detective work to do before
capturing my horse, so you would have something wonderful to relate when
you arrived home.”
“Then you’re the man I want, are you?”
“Yes, sir, I suppose I am; but really, my friend, I didn’t suppose you
were going to lose all your clothes, and get completely knocked out and
so thoroughly demoralized. How did it all happen?”
“Oh, you’re too —— funny! It’s none of your —— business how it all
happened. I’ll get even with you. I’m sorry I haven’t a warrant for your
arrest, instead of a writ of replevin for a horse, —— you!”
“See here; don’t you —— me, sir, or I’ll finish you up right here, in
less than one minute!”
He then quieted down, and after serving the writ, took possession of the
horse, before leaving for Sturgis. However, he spent nearly an hour in
mending his clothes, patching up his nose and face, and dressing the
slight flesh-wounds on his hands and arms, after which he borrowed a
hat, and as I supposed, returned to Sturgis with the horse.
I remained over night at the hotel, although I was completely stranded,
and wondered what I should do to make a raise. I realized fully that I
would be obliged to lose several days’ valuable time were I to remain
there to contest the ownership of the horse, as return day had been set
six days ahead. Hence I considered it folly to lose so much time for the
value of a horse.
The next morning I arose early, and after breakfast began to search for
an opportunity to make a few dollars.
I happened into a drug store and entering into conversation with the
proprietor found him a very agreeable gentleman and explained to him
that I was a “little short,” and inquired if he had any patent
medicines, pills, or anything in that line that a good salesman could
handle. He replied that the only thing he had was about a gallon of
lemon extract which he had made himself from a recipe he had been
foolish enough to pay ten dollars for, and had never yet sold ten cents’
worth of the stuff.
I asked to see it and on tasting it found an excellent article. I then
asked if he would let me take the glass jar and a small graduate to
measure it with, and he said: “Certainly.”
With the flavoring extract and measure I started for a general canvass,
going from house to house and introducing “The finest grade of lemon
extract, twenty-five cents per ounce or five ounces for one dollar.”
Each purchaser must furnish her own bottle to hold it.
I returned at noon with seven dollars sixty cents, when I took the
balance of the dope back to the druggist and asked how much I owed him.
He said:
“Well, I’ll tell you, I’d like to sell the whole of it out to you. I’ll
take fifty cents and you own all the flavoring extract there is left,
and I’ll sell you the jar and graduate cheap if you want them.”
“All right sir,” handing over the fifty cents, “I’ll return after dinner
and try it again.”
This little experience about convinced me that there was more money in
that business than in patent rights.
As I was on my way to the hotel I met a man with a small flour-sifter
for the sale of which he was acting as general agent in appointing
sub-agents.
I asked his terms.
He said he required each new agent to buy four hundred sifters at
twenty-five cents each, which he could retail for fifty cents. Unless a
man could buy this number he could not have agency.
After dinner I started out again with the flavoring extract. At the
third house I entered, an old gentleman asked if I could get him the
agency for it. He said it wasn’t necessary for him to do anything of the
kind, as he owned a nice home and a small farm and had some money[Pg 216] on
interest, but he didn’t like to spend his time in idleness. I told him
that our house had no vacancies, but I could intercede in his behalf in
making him an agent for a patent flour-sifter.
He asked what terms he could make. I told him they retailed for fifty
cents each, but in order to secure the exclusive sale in his town he
would have to pay the regular retail price for the first four hundred,
after which he could have all he wanted at half that price.
He said he wouldn’t care to invest more than one hundred dollars anyhow,
and expressed a desire to see one of them.
“Well,” said I, “I am always glad to do a man a favor, and I will run
down town and bring one up to you.”
I went immediately to where the gentleman was unpacking his sifters, and
asked if he would be willing to sell two hundred and give the exclusive
sale.
He refused to do so, and I saw there was little use in trying to
persuade him, when I explained the nature of my case.
He said it wouldn’t pay him to sell so few.
“Then I’ll tell you what I’ll do,” said I. “You see if I was to sell two
hundred at the price I[Pg 217] have quoted, I’d make fifty dollars. Now if you
will let me make the sale I’ll give you half of my profits.”
He agreed, and I returned to my victim and put the deal through in less
than an hour, and pocketed twenty-five dollars—my share of the profits.
I then returned at once to my flavoring extract and sold over three
dollars’ worth that afternoon, making a clear profit of thirty-five
dollars for my day’s work.
I then joined Frank at Sturgis, and after settling up our affairs there,
he left for Ohio with the understanding that I would meet him at Elmore
three days later.
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