o business in
that way. At last I went into a shop over the window of which I saw
written, "Books bought and exchanged": there was a smartish young fellow
in the shop, with black hair and whiskers. "You exchange?" said I.
"Yes," said he, "sometimes, but we prefer selling; what book do you
want?" "A Bible," said I. "Ah," said he, "there's a great demand for
Bibles just now; all kinds of people are become very pious of late," he
added, grinning at me; "I am afraid I can't do business with you, more
especially as the master is not at home. What book have you brought?"
Taking the book out of my pocket, I placed it on the counter. The young
fellow opened the book, and inspecting the title-page, burst into a loud
laugh. "What do you laugh for?" said I, angrily, and half clenching my
fist. "Laugh!" said the young fellow; "laugh! who could help laughing?"
"I could," said I; "I see nothing to laugh at; I want to exchange this
book for a Bible." "You do?" said the young fellow; "well, I daresay
there are plenty who would be willing to exchange, that is, if they
dared. I wish master were at home; but that would never do, either.
Master's a family man, the Bibles are not mine, and master being a family
man, is sharp, and knows all his stock; I'd buy it of you, but, to tell
you the truth, I am quite empty here," said he, pointing to his pocket,
"so I am afraid we can't deal."

Whereupon, looking anxiously at the young man, "what am I to do?" said I;
"I really want a Bible".

"Can't you buy one?" said the young man; "have you no money?"

"Yes," said I, "I have some, but I am merely the agent of another; I came
to exchange, not to buy; what am I to do?"

"I don't know," said the young man, thoughtfully, laying down the book on
the counter; "I don't know what you can do. I think you will find some
difficulty in this bartering job, the trade are rather precise." All at
once he laughed louder than before; suddenly stopping, however, he put on
a very grave look. "Take my advice," said he; "there is a firm
established in this neighbourhood which scarcely sells any books but
Bibles; they are very rich, and pride themselves on selling their books
at the lowest possible price; apply to them, who knows but what they will
exchange with you?"

Thereupon I demanded with some eagerness of the young man the direction
to the place where he thought it possible that I might effect the
exchange--which direction the young fellow cheerf