irms, who contracted
directly with the advertisers and then had the signs painted upon spaces
secured from the farmers by their wide-awake agents. These signs were
contracted for by the year, but the firms controlling the spaces always
inserted protective clauses that provided for the removal of any sign
when certain conditions required such removal. In such cases a rebate
was allowed to the advertiser. This protective clause was absolutely
necessary in case of fire, alteration or removal of buildings or
destruction of fences and sign-boards by weather or the requirements of
the owners. It was this saving clause in the contracts of which Uncle
John had decided to take advantage. The contracting sign painters were
merely in the business to make money.

Mr. Merrick got the head of the concern in Cleveland over the telephone
within half an hour. He talked with the man at length, and talked with
the convincing effect that the mention of money has. When he hung up the
receiver Uncle John was smiling. Then he called for the Chicago firm.
With this second advertising company he met with more difficulties, and
Mr. Warren had to come to the telephone and assure the man that Mr.
Merrick was able to pay all he agreed to, and that the money was on
deposit in his bank. That enabled Mr. Merrick to conclude his
arrangements. He knew that he was being robbed, but the co-operation of
the big Chicago firm was necessary to his plans.

Then, the telephone having served its purpose, Mr. Warren took Uncle
John across the street to the newspaper office and introduced him to
Charley Briggs, the editor.

Briggs was a man with one eye, a sallow complexion and sandy hair that
stuck straight up from his head. He set type for his paper, besides
editing it, and Uncle John found him wearing a much soiled apron, with
his bare arms and fingers smeared with printer's ink.

"Mr. Merrick wants to see you on business, Charley," said the banker.
"Whatever he agrees to I will guarantee, to the full resources of my
bank."

The editor pricked up his ears and dusted a chair for his visitor with
his apron. It wasn't easy to make a living running a paper in Elmwood,
and if there was any business pending he was anxious to secure it.

Uncle John waited until Mr. Warren had left him alone with the newspaper
man. Then he said:

"I understand your paper is Democratic, Mr. Briggs."

"That's a mistake, sir," replied the editor, evasively. "The _Herald_ is
real