Jack Frost in this home. In the short
time I sat there I wondered if the occupants appreciated the good things
around them. How could they, if they had never known hunger and cold and
discomfort?

These queries kept entering my mind:

"Will such furniture as this ever be mine? Will I ever be the owner of a
stove as nice as that base-burner? Will carpets as luxurious as these
ever belong to me? Will I ever be able to dress comfortably and
genteelly?"

It would be a very difficult matter to describe to the reader my
thoughts on that occasion. (I will add that I made a sale.)

In these later years when my income has been sufficient to warrant me
in buying any thing I desire for personal comfort, I often think of the
cheerless experiences of that winter. And I can truthfully say that my
heart goes out to the homeless and destitute, and I am always willing to
extend a helping hand to those who show a willingness to help
themselves.

That was a long winter, take it all in all; but we managed to get three
meals a day, notwithstanding I had an attack of bilious fever which made
matters look very gloomy.

For several years I had never failed to have one of these attacks in the
winter.

Realizing what to expect when the usual symptoms--chills--began to
overpower me, I decided at once to make some sort of provision for my
family.

I called at a butcher shop, and after ordering twenty pounds of
beef-steak and getting it in my possession I asked the butcher to charge
it. He said he didn't care to do business in that way. I told him I
didn't care to either but----

"But," he interrupted "_I_ don't have to do business that way."

"Well sir, I do. So you see that's the difference between you and me,
and as possession is about ten points of law I guess you will do better
and will no doubt get your pay more quickly if you will quietly submit
to my proposition."

I then explained to him my circumstances.

He asked why I didn't explain in the first place.

I replied "because I needed the meat."

Then he asked my name and said he hoped I would be honest with him.

I next called at a grocery and gave quite an extensive order to be
delivered at our room.

In about an hour the groceries and a sack of flour were brought to the
door. I ordered them inside, and then the bill was presented. I folded
it and put it my pocket, saying:

"Just tell Mr. ---- to charge this."

"All right sir," the boy replied and drove off.

In