cess.

CHAPTER VI.

MY NEW ACQUAINTANCE AND OUR CO-PARTNERSHIP--THREE WEEKS' EXPERIENCE
MANUFACTURING SOAP--THE COLLAPSE--HOW IT HAPPENED--BROKE AGAIN--MORE
HELP FROM MR. KEEFER--A TRIP TO INDIANA--SELLING PRIZE SOAP WITH A
CIRCUS--ARRESTED AND FINED FOR CONDUCTING A GIFT ENTERPRISE--BROKE
AGAIN.

On my way home, I formed the acquaintance of a young man, Fleming by
name, who had been employed in a soap factory in Chicago, and was on his
way to Toledo, where his parents resided. He said he had a new recipe
for making a splendid toilet soap, which could be put on the market for
less money and with a larger profit than any other ever manufactured.

With a little capital and an enterprising salesman on the road, a
fortune could be made very soon.

I stated the amount of my cash capital, and assured him of my ability as
a salesman, and my desire to engage in a good paying business.

When we arrived at Toledo, and before we separated, we had nearly
completed arrangements for forming a co-partnership, I agreeing to
return in a few days for that purpose. I hastened home and notified my
folks of my success.

My mother said "it was merely a streak of good luck." Mr. Keefer said
"he didn't know about that."

She said I had better leave enough with them to pay that note of one
hundred and fifty dollars, which would soon come due, but Mr. Keefer
said it wasn't due yet and there was no hurry about it anyhow, and that
I had better invest it in that soap business.

I returned to Toledo, where I met Mr. Fleming, who had rented a building
and contracted for materials and utensils. We started our business under
the firm name of "Johnston & Fleming, Manufacturers of Fine Toilet
Soap."

I advanced the necessary money to meet our obligations, after which we
made up a sample lot, and I started on the road.

My orders were taken on condition that the goods were to be paid for
promptly in ten days.

I sold to druggists and grocers, and made enough sales in one week to
keep our factory running to its "fullest capacity" for at least four
weeks. I then returned to Toledo and began filling orders.

As soon as ten days had expired, after having sent out our first orders,
we began sending out statements, asking for remittances.

We received but two small payments, when letters began pouring in from
our customers condemning us and our soap.

The general complaint was that it had all dried or shriveled up, and as
some claime