And I did all the talking for the first half hour.
The old gentleman concluded that I was an exception to the general run of agents. He then began talking religion, as soon as I quit talking Patent rights. He said I ought to make my peace with God; and when I replied that God and I had always been on splendid terms, he became almost frantic, and said that I was worse than any lightning-rod agent, and added that there never was an agent of any kind who ever pretended to tell the truth, and he wouldn't believe any of them under oath. I then said I wouldn't expect him to believe my statements, so would leave the question entirely with him and his sons whether they would deal or not. They soon began talking business to the point.
I figured on paper, and showed how one son could make more money in a single year, with one County right, than they could all make on the farm in two years.
My price for the County was one hundred dollars.
They proposed to give fifty, and I offered to split the difference and take seventy-five.
This was satisfactory, provided I would take half cash, and a note for the balance payable in one year. I agreed to it, if the old gentleman would go to Marion with me and help negotiate the note.
He said he had got to go to town anyhow, and would ride with me; and the boys could drive over after him that evening.
After making out the necessary papers and receiving my cash, we started on the turn-pike road towards Marion.
While riding along, the old gentleman gave me some very wholesome advice, saying he didn't do it because he really thought me to be a very bad fellow, but he wanted to see every young man grow up to be truthful, moral, honorable and upright. I thanked him, and told him I believed he was a mighty nice man. He said that was the reputation he bore thereabouts.