en by being obliged to open the drafts of
our stove to get sufficient heat, we discovered it took about two
bushels at a time constantly in the stove to keep it running, and to my
disgust I found at such times that the old stove would burn about a
bushel a minute. Thus I had the poor satisfaction of seeing my money
float up the chimney at the rate of about ten cents a minute. I didn't
even have the satisfaction of enjoying this expensive luxury, as I was
compelled to divide my time between hauling coke with the old
wheel-barrow and "hus'ling" out with the polish to raise money to pay
for it and our provisions. However I was not a continual sufferer from
cold, although still wearing my summer clothes, as this constant
"hus'ling" kept me in a sultry condition both mentally and physically.

Time passed on bringing very little change to my straitened
circumstances. I was illy prepared to withstand the severity of a
Michigan winter. I had no hose except half worn cotton ones, no warm
underwear or over-shoes which I sorely needed in my endless tramping
from house to house, and no overcoat until February. The only articles
of winter apparel I had were a pair of woolen mittens and a pair of ear
mufflers, both of which I got from an old lady in exchange for furniture
polish, and which will be seen illustrated in the photograph I sent to
my mother while in this sorry condition.

It was the night before Christmas, and the contents of my pocket-book
were meager indeed. Pedestrians were hurrying to and fro, arms and
pockets filled with packages to gladden the hearts of the loved ones at
home. My naturally buoyant spirits fell to zero as I thought of my wife
and baby boy and realized that I had nothing for them with which to make
merry on the morrow.

I turned my steps homeward well-nigh disheartened. My sales had been
slow that day owing to the universal purchasing of holiday goods and the
scarcity of money left in the family purse. However, I suddenly
determined to make one more effort, and see what might be my success in
effecting another sale before going home. I therefore called at a
spacious stone front mansion, was admitted by the servant and ushered
into the handsomely furnished parlor to await the coming of the
mistress.

It was a home of luxury, evidenced by the rich carpets, elegant pieces
of furniture, paintings of well-known artists and beautiful bric-a-brac
in an expensive cabinet.

There was no biting chill from