Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 May 1892 — Business Instinct. [ARTICLE]

Business Instinct.

When the “street" says of a man, “He has a long head for business,” it credits him with an instinct for discovering a profitable investment or scenting a bagain. An illustration of this “long head” was given by the late Judge Pratt, of Oregon, at tho beginning of his business career. Mr. Bancroft relates the anecdote in his the Builders.” During a trip from Portland to San Francisco Mr. Pratt and Captain Crosby, the commander of the vessel, conversed about the probable price of lumber in San Francisco. Pratt thought the vessel’s cargo would bring at least $25 a thousand feet. “I wish you would guarantee me that figure,” said the captain. “Well,” rejoined Pratt, “there is no reason why I should guarantee you any sum, but it seems to me that lumber ought to bring that price there,” and he gave his reasons. “Will you buy my cargo, laid down at San Francisco, at S2O a thousand?” asked the captain. “I will;” and a contract was at once drawn up and signed by both parties. As the vessel entered the harbor of San Francisco she was boarded by a purchasing agent of the United States government, who offered $250 a thousand for the cargo. The offer was declined; the vessel went up to the city, where the lumber was sold for S4OO a thousand. Mr. Pratt cleared $lO,000 by his venture. W hat is claimed to be the plow which General Putnam left In the furrow, up fn Connecticut, when he rushed to the defense of his country, 116 years ago, is exhibited in front of a hardware store in Danielsonville, Windham County, Conn., near his old home. The antiquity of tho relic seems to be unquestioned, but the Hartford Courant betrays a doubt as to whether “Old Put” ever guided It through the solL