ustration: MY FIRST SALE AS PROPRIETOR AND AUCTIONEER AT REPUBLIC,
OHIO.--PAGE 445.]

I was not long in filing the old horse's front teeth down, by which he
was enabled to eat, much to his satisfaction and to my gain.

I then ordered seventeen dollars' worth of notions, bought an old second
hand trunk, had a couple of tin lamps made to use for street
illumination, and started on my first trip as proprietor and
auctioneer.

The old horse I think meant all right enough, that is if he meant any
thing at all, but he wasn't much good. He couldn't have been built right
in the first place, for though he could eat more than three ordinary
horses and seemed willing enough to make a good showing, yet I was
always obliged to get out and push whenever we came to the least
incline; and at the slightest noise sounding like the word "whoa" he
would stop instantly. But with him, stopping was one thing and starting
another.

I made a practice of commencing early in the morning and selling polish
among the farmers during the day-time, and driving into some country
town just at night-fall and making an auction sale on the street by
torch light.

I had small packages of notions sent on ahead C.O.D. from the wholesale
house with which I was dealing. In this way I was able to carry on quite
a business.

I bantered every one I met to trade horses, but no one seemed to take a
particular fancy to my animal.

I kept up this system of auctioneering and selling polish till into
the summer, and had succeeded in getting a trunk full of goods, and
began to feel that I was in a fair way to make money rapidly.

One day I received a letter from Mr. Keefer saying he must have help
from some source. His note was coming due at the bank besides other
obligations which he must meet, and if it were possible for me to assist
him in any way he wished I would do so.

This was the first time he had ever asked me for assistance, and not
once could I remember that he had ever refused me aid when I asked it of
him.

It was not necessary for him to make any explanations to convince me
that he really needed help, for the many times he had so generously
handed out to me was sufficient proof that he would more willingly give
to, than take from me. Consequently I was not long in deciding to close
out my goods at once and send him the proceeds.

The next morning after making my evening sale I sent him what money I
had, with a promise of more as soon as I co