ow."

"That is true, and we'll have to brush up quite a bit if we wish to
play in public," laughed Matt.

He accompanied Andy to the barn where the wagon was stored, and they
brought not only the accordion and the banjo, but also a violin and a
mouth harmonica.

These instruments they took to the bedroom which had been assigned to
them, and here, while it was yet early, they tuned up and began to
practice upon such simple tunes as both knew by heart. Matt first
tried the banjo, and after he had it in tune with the accordion, the
partners played half a dozen selections quite creditably.

"We wouldn't do for grand opera soloists, but I guess it will be good
enough to attract crowds in small country towns," laughed Andy, as he
ground out a lively German waltz.

"Supposing we try the violin and banjo," suggested Matt, and Andy took
up the king of instruments.

But this did not go so well, and it was not long before Andy turned
back to the accordion, which, according to his statement, half-played
itself. Matt tried the mouth harmonica, and surprised not only Andy,
but half a dozen listeners, by the wonderful effects he produced upon
the little instrument.

"Good for you!" shouted Andy, as Matt finished a particularly clever
selection. "If the auction business fails, you can go on the variety
stage."

"No, thank you," returned Matt. "I understand enough about it to know
that it is little better than a dog's life. I just as lief stick to
what I'm doing, or become a traveling order salesman for some big New
York house."

"Well, I don't know but what that shows your level-headedness,"
returned Andy.

The two slept soundly that night. Matt was up at five o'clock the
next morning, and he at once aroused his partner. They had an early
breakfast, and then walked around to the stable where the wagon was
housed.

While they were hitching up Billy a middle-aged man, rather slouchy in
appearance, came shuffling in.

"Are you the two young fellers what's running this here auction
wagon?" he began, addressing Matt.

"We are," returned the boy. "What do you want?"

"Pretty good business, ain't it?" went on the stranger, without
answering the question which had been put.

"Sometimes it is."

"I reckon there's a heap of money in it," proceeded the shabby
stranger.

"Well, we are not yet millionaires," put in Andy, with a pleasant
laugh.

"I know a feller what made a pile of money in the auction business,"
remarked