less than twenty minutes the proprietor came rushing down fairly
frothing at the mouth, and in a high state of exasperation rapped at the
door, and when admitted asked excitedly what in thunder I meant.

I coolly explained that we simply meant to try and exist another day or
two if buckwheat flour and coffee and sugar would keep us alive.

He said I couldn't live on his flour and coffee.

I politely informed him that I had no use for his, as I had plenty of my
own just then.

"Well, why in thunder did you come and 'stand me off' in this way if you
had plenty of your own?"

"But my dear sir, I had none of my own before I called on you."

"The devil you hadn't. And do you claim sir, that you own the things
just delivered from my store?"

"Of course I do, but I don't deny that I owe you, and am willing to
confess judgment if you wish me to do so."

After he had cooled off a little I stated my condition, when he too
asked why I didn't explain in the beginning.

I answered that I had been on earth too long to take any such chances.

I had a siege of about ten days' sickness, after which I "hus'led" out,
and by extra exertion managed to accumulate money enough to pay up my
grocery and butcher bills. This greatly pleased the proprietors, and
proved the means of making them my best friends, and just such as might
come very convenient to have, in case of absolute necessity.

During my several months' absence from home my correspondence with my
mother had been more limited than usual. I felt that during my entire
career I had never shown a disposition to loaf or to sponge my living.
While I had frequently been assisted, I had kept a strict account of
every dollar, and had regarded it, in each instance, as a business loan,
expecting to pay it back some day; and had never asked for assistance
except when I actually needed it. It was impossible at that time for me
to understand my mother's policy in abruptly refusing me aid, when I
felt that she was at least able to assist me a little.

At any rate, I was immensely "red-headed" all the time, and declared
that I would fight it out on that line, if I had to wear my summer
clothes all winter. I had declared that I would never return home till I
was comfortably well fixed, or at least in a fair way to prosper. How
well I kept my word will be seen farther on.

I remember during that siege, a coal and wood-dealer offered me a
position in his office at fifteen dollars per we