other three counties. I took several
orders on the following Saturday, as many farmers were in town that day.

The next Monday I received word from one of the wealthiest men of the
town that he would buy some territory in my patent if satisfactory terms
could be made. I called upon him and we were not long in striking a
bargain.

He agreed to give his note payable in one year for three hundred
dollars, for my three counties.

We made out the papers, and as he was about to sign the note he demanded
that I write on the face of it the following: "This note was given for a
patent right." I refused at first, but when informed it was according to
law I complied.

When I called upon a money loaner he laughed and said he wouldn't give
me one dollar for such a note, as he wouldn't care to buy a lawsuit. He
said when the note came due it would be easier for the maker of it to
prove the worthlessness of the patent than it would for him to prove it
was valuable.

I saw the point, and realized that I had been duped.

I made preparations to leave for home on the morning train. During the
night I conceived an idea which I thought if properly manipulated would
bring me out victorious.

The next morning I called on my customer at his office, and in the
presence of his clerks said:

"Mr. ----, I have been thinking over my affairs, and find I will be very
much in need of money six months from now, and if you will draw up a new
note, making it come due at that time, I will throw off twenty-five
dollars, and give you back this note."

He agreed, and after I drew up the note for two hundred and seventy-five
dollars I handed it to him to sign, and then stepped back out of
reasonable reach of him, when he looked up and said:

"Well, here, you want to add that clause."

"That's all right," said I, "go on and sign it. It can be added just as
well afterwards."

He did so and I picked it up, folded it and put it into my pocket, as I
passed the old note to him.

[Illustration: "BUT YOU MUST ADD THAT CLAUSE."

"OH, NO, I GUESS I MUST NOT."--PAGE 68.]

"But you must add that clause," he remarked.

"O, no," said I, "I guess I must not. This last note was not given for a
patent right. It was given for the old note, the same as if you had
discounted it."

Then he saw the point, and I had the pleasure of receiving two hundred
and sixty-five dollars cash from him for his paper. With this I started
for home, highly elated with my suc