cted to pay my
bills.

His wife reminded him that they had plenty of room, and as it was late
he had better let me stay.

He then consented, asking at the same time if I was a good "story
teller." This of course gave me an "inkling" as to the best means of
getting in his good graces. During the evening I lost no time in
arriving at a point in our conversation where I could relate a few of my
latest stories, which pleased him greatly. He became so much interested
in me and my business as to propose to go into partnership with me, he
to furnish the traveling conveyance and half the money, and I to do the
selling.

His wife ridiculed the idea and laughed at his foolishness.

He then leaned forward in a very familiar, friendly manner, and took
hold of a long neck chain I was wearing, and asked what I would take for
that chain.

"Oh," I answered, "I don't want to sell it."

"Well, but you _would_ sell it, wouldn't you?" he asked.

"A man would be a fool to refuse to sell anything he owned, if he got
enough for it," I replied, "but I have no desire to sell this particular
chain."

The next morning, while I was trading with his wife, he again mentioned
the chain, and remarked that he would rather have that than all the
jewelry in the box.

I said: "I should think you would."

He then said: "Look here, young feller, I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll
give you that bay mare I traded for last night, even up, for that
chain."

I asked if she was sound. He assured me that she was.

"Well, then," said I, "oughtn't she to fetch two hundred and fifty
dollars?"

"Yes sir, you can bet on that," he answered, excitedly.

[Illustration: THOSE KIND COST ME $10.00 PER DOZ.--PAGE 111.]

"Well then," said I, "if you will throw in a saddle and bridle I'll
trade."

"I have no saddle," said he, "but I will give you a blanket and bridle."

"All right, it's a trade."

We bridled and blanketed the mare, I delivered the chain to him and
mounted, ready for a start.

"Now, young feller," said he, "the trade is made and there must be no
'kicking' on either side. You agree to that do you?"

"Yes sir," I answered, "I'll never kick if the old mare dies in five
minutes from now."

"That's right," said he, "you're a dandy, and just the sort of feller I
like to deal with."

"Well, I'll bid you good day"--tipping my hat.

"See here, one moment," he yelled, as I had gotten well on my way. "Say!
the trade is made and no squealing o