and he hastily drew from another pocket an illustrated catalogue.

"If you use a typewriter," he broke forth, "I can assure you it would
be to your interest to look at this." And as Mount Dunstan took the
proffered pamphlet, and with amiable gravity opened it, he rapidly
poured forth his salesman's patter, scarcely pausing to take his breath:
"It's the most up-to-date machine on the market. It has all the latest
improved mechanical appliances. You will see from the cut in the
catalogue that the platen roller is easily removed without a long
mechanical operation. All you do is to slip two pins back and off comes
the roller. There is also another point worth mentioning--the ribbon
switch. By using this ribbon switch you can write in either red or blue
ink while you are using only one ribbon. By throwing the switch on this
side, you can use thirteen yards on the upper edge of the ribbon, by
reversing it, you use thirteen yards on the lower edge--thus getting
practically twenty-six yards of good, serviceable ribbon out of one that
is only thirteen yards long--making a saving of fifty per cent. in your
ribbon expenditure alone, which you will see is quite an item to any
enterprising firm."

He was obliged to pause here for a second or so, but as Mount Dunstan
exhibited no signs of intending to use violence, and, on the contrary,
continued to inspect the catalogue, he broke forth with renewed cheery
volubility:

"Another advantage is the new basket shift. Also, the carriage on this
machine is perfectly stationary and rigid. On all other machines it
is fastened by a series of connecting bolts and links, which you will
readily understand makes perfect alignment uncertain. Then our tabulator
is a part and parcel of the instrument, costing you nothing more than
the original price of the machine, which is one hundred dollars--without
discount."

"It seems a good thing," said Mount Dunstan. "If I had much business to
transact, I should buy one."

"If you bought one you'd HAVE business," responded Selden. "That's
what's the matter. It's the up-to-date machines that set things humming.
A slow, old-fashioned typewriter uses a firm's time, and time's money."

"I don't find it so," said Mount Dunstan. "I have more time than I can
possibly use--and no money."

G. Selden looked at him with friendly interest. His experience,
which was varied, had taught him to recognize symptoms. This nice,
rough-looking chap, who, despite his rath