Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 April 1895 — Simple Enough. [ARTICLE]

Simple Enough.

A man went into the laboratory of an analytical chemist one day, with a bottle containing an unwholesome looking mixture. “I bought this of a traveling man,” he said, “and I feel sure it isn’t what it ought to be. I’d give five dollars to know what would make the water and oil in this preparation separate.” The chemist looked at it "Very well,” he said, “give me the five dollars, and 1 will tell you.” The visitor promptly handed him a flve-dollar bill. The chemist took it gravely, and then, removing the cork from the bottle, quietly dropped into the liquid a pinch of common salt. Instantly the water and oil separated. The man’s face was a study. He had got what he wanted, and had paid his own price for it. The chemist evidently felt that he was well paid by his visitor’s astonishment, however, and returned the five dollars with a laugh.