The Boy with the U. S. Inventors (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ... Whew the cotton mill owner passed from his description of mill machinery, to the more immediate question of what could be done with the WaveMotor plant, the enthusiasm of the Lind Four waxed high. Of all the many visitors who had called at the workshop, Mr. Channing was the first example the boys had met who had the perception of the keen New England business man coupled with Yankee ingenuity. "I could improve on that wave-motor of yours," he said, after a time, "and maybe get a patent on the improvement. That would be sand in your bearings, boys, wouldn't it?" Gail looked at Axel in consternation. He had thought he had figured out every possible development, yet here, the first ingenious stranger who came, found a flaw in it. It was as though a chasm had opened below them. "Could we--we buy in such a patent?" queried Axel, nervously. The mill-owner looked at him, shrewdly but kindly. "My boy," he said, "while I know that some people think that all is as fair in business as in war, I belong to the old school. I 'm an American of old American stock, and I think a business man's honor should be as impeccable as a soldier's courage. I will sell you the idea for the improvement, if you like, for--' One Dollar and other valuable consideration, ' as contracts put it." "And what would that 'valuable consideration' be, Mr. Channing?" asked Olaf, fearing some question of shares of stock, though the preamble of the manufacturer had partly reassured him. "Let us say a dinner," the New Englander answered promptly. "No, boys, I've struggled myself, and I'd never do such a dirty trick as spoil another man's affairs. I leave that for some of the newer school of business men who don't seem to possess what I was brought up to think were American business...