nds at Toledo who persuaded me to
remain there till the next day. Albert and Mr. Streicher went on, and
when they alighted from the train at Clyde the platform was packed with
people. It being Sunday, every one had turned out. The undertaker, Mr.
Terry, with his ambulance, and a stretcher placed on the platform near
where the express car usually stopped, Mr. Keefer and my half-sisters
greatly agitated, and my mother crying, as Albert and Mr. S. approached
them, both wondering at the unusual excitement.

"Where is Perry? What has happened to Perry? Is he dead, or only hurt?"

These inquiries were made hurriedly, and when informed that nothing had
happened they asked why he had telegraphed for a stretcher.

"Stretcher," said Albert, "you're crazy! I didn't telegraph for a
stretcher, but said meet Streicher and me at the noon train."

When the facts became known, the assemblage seemed to look upon the
matter as a good joke upon themselves, and wended their way homeward
looking disgusted and disappointed, plainly showing that their morbid
curiosity had not been quite satisfied.

The next day, when I arrived and had been told of the occurrence, I
asked Albert what my mother said.

"Well, she said she expected Perry would be killed sooner or later any
how."

"What did Mr. Keefer say?"

"Oh, he said, 'It beat the devil.'"

We spent a few days pleasantly at home, then returned to Chicago and to
business.

I continued to travel over the same territory, visiting my old
customers, whom I soon became better acquainted with, and secured as
regular patrons. I visited them about once every sixty days, and at the
same time worked up as much new trade as possible.

I will here tell how I made my first sale to a merchant who was
notorious for "firing agents out," and who has been my customer ever
since.

I was traveling through Minnesota, and when at the hotel in a small
town, became engaged In conversation with several drummers, who were all
loud in their condemnation of one of the leading merchants there, who
had never treated any one of them civilly. I remarked that I believed I
could sell him a bill of goods. One of them said if I could he would buy
me a new hat.

I went out on the street and stepped up to the first country fellow I
met, and handing him a two-dollar bill, said:

"I want you to go down to Mr. ----'s store and wait till I come in, and
as I am about to leave the store, you ask me to sell you a finger r