the clerk, who did not intend to let his
prospective customer get away. "We'll make it an even eleven dollars and
say no more about it."

Instead of answering Joe started once more for the door.

"Hold on!"

"I haven't got time."

"Make it ten and a half. At that price we are losing exactly half a
dollar on that suit."

"Not a cent over what I offered."

"We can't sell suits at such a loss. It would ruin us."

"Then don't do it. I think Mason & Harris have some good suits very
cheap. And they are quite up-to-date, too," added Joe.

"Our suits are the best in town, young man. Take this one for an even
ten dollar bill."

"I will if you'll throw in one of those half dollar caps," answered our
hero.

"Well, have your own way, but it's a sacrifice," grumbled the clerk.

He wanted to wrap up the suit, but, afraid he might substitute something
else, Joe insisted upon donning the suit then and there and likewise the
new cap. Then he had the old articles of wearing apparel done up into a
bundle and paid over the ten dollars.

"You're pretty smart after a bargain," said the clerk.

"I've got to be--when I strike such fellows as you," was the reply.

"You got a better bargain than that Irish woman did."

"I did--if the suit is all wool. But if it's cotton, I'm stuck,"
returned our hero, and with his bundle under his arm he walked from the
store.

He had left his rowboat in charge of an old boatman named Ike Fairfield,
and now he walked down to the boathouse.

"Just in time, Joe," said the old boatman. "Want to earn a dollar?"

"To be sure I do," answered our hero.

"A party of ladies want a long row around the lake. You can have the
job."

"All right, Ike."

"I charged them a dollar and a quarter. I'll keep the quarter for my
commission."

"That is fair."

"One of the ladies said she wanted somebody that looked pretty decent. I
think you'll fill the bill with that new suit."

"I didn't expect to wear the suit out on the lake, but in this case I'll
keep it on," answered Joe.

"I find it pays to keep well dressed, when you take out the summer
boarders," answered the old boatman. "And it pays to keep the boats in
good shape, too."

"Where am I to get the party?"

"Over to the dock of Mallison's Hotel. One of the ladies is Mallison's
niece."

"Why don't they take a hotel boat?"

"All engaged, two days ago. It's a busy season. But I've got to be
going. You had better go over to the dock at once.