that
I had unconsciously switched off onto my Democratic speech.

I hesitated a moment, and on a second's reflection realized that I had
been talking Democracy several minutes, and had said several things that
I couldn't take back. I became flustered, and hesitated and stumbled
more or less till I heard the lawyer say, in a low voice:

"Dang it, get out of it the best you can, and close 'er up--close 'er up
quick."

I then said:

"Gentlemen, I am compelled to make an honest, frank confession to you.
In the first place I must admit that my politics have become somewhat
tangled up in this particular speech; and as an apology for it must
honestly confess that I am a Democrat, and have been traveling all over
the country making Democratic speeches.

"But I was paid an extra stipulated price this evening to come over here
as a substitute and make a Republican speech; and dang me if I haven't
got fogged up. So, gentlemen, you must take the will for the deed; and
if you are able to unravel my speech, you are welcome to whichever
portion pleases you best."

Everybody laughed and yelled, and the majority of them wanted to shake
me by the hand and congratulate me.

The old lawyer said one good thing about it was, that the biggest part
of my speech was Republican, anyhow; and that I told them a good many
plain truths, too, while I was at it.

I asked how about the Democratic part. Weren't they facts, too?

"Well, yes, I guess they were; but, thank God, there wasn't much of it."

He said he couldn't see how on earth I could have gotten my politics so
badly mixed, and only for the fact that he positively knew me to be
engaged in selling polish and auctionering he would surely take my word
for it that I was a Democratic stump speaker. He said further, if I had
politics down a little bit finer, he couldn't see anything to prevent me
from striking a job in almost any town, as I would be sure to find
either a Democratic or Republican meeting wherever I went.

CHAPTER XXV.

CONTINUE TO SELL FOR MERCHANTS--WELL PREPARED FOR WINTER--TRADING A
SHOT-GUN FOR A HORSE AND WAGON--AUCTIONEERING FOR MYSELF--MR. KEEFER
NEEDING HELP--HOW I RESPONDED--TURNING MY HORSE OUT TO PASTURE--ENGAGED
TO SELL ON COMMISSION--HOW I SUCCEEDED--OUT OF A JOB--BUSTED--HOW I MADE
A RAISE--A RETURN TO THE INCOMPREHENSIBLE--PEDDLING WITH A HORSE AND
WAGON--MEETING AN OLD FRIEND--MISERY LIKES COMPANY--WE HUS'LE
TOGETHER--PERFORMING A SURGICAL OPERAT