Then they talked of other matters till the train arrived at the Flatbush Avenue Station, where they parted, Dick taking an electric car over the bridge for New York.
That night he showed the drawing to Joe, who roomed with him, and together they discussed the feasibility of the scheme proving a paying one.
Dick had a shrewd idea that a manufacturer of water-coolers was the best persons to consult on the project, and next day called on one who happened to be a personal friend of Mr. Nesbitt.
The idea struck the manufacturer favorably.
He called his manager in, and they figured out the cost of the article on the lines presented by Dick.
“What will you sell the patent for?” asked the manufacturer.
“You can have my half-interest, for twenty-five hundred dollars,” was Dick’s reply, “and I dare say I can arrange to get you the other half at the same figure.”
“I’ll tell you what I’ll do,” said the manufacturer, after considering the matter. “I’ll build these coolers and place them on the market, allowing you a royalty of from twenty-five to fifty cents, according to size, on every one actually sold.”
“Will you give me a memorandum, in writing, to that effect and allow me a few days to consider your offer?”
“Certainly.” And the gentleman did so and handed the paper to Dick. “You will accept that as a thirty-day option on the patent.”