offered me a cigar, which I took,
for fear of giving offense, but which I threw away the very first
opportunity I got.

" 'Buy for cash, or on time?' he asked.

"I was a little startled at the question, it was so abrupt; but I replied,
'For cash.'

" 'Would you like to look at some prints, major?' he inquired.

" 'I am made obliged to you,' I answered; 'I am very fond of seeing
prints.'

"With that he commenced turning over one piece of calico after another,
with amazing rapidity.

" 'There, major--very desirable article--splendid style--only two-and-six:
cheapest goods in the street.'

"Before I could make any reply, or even guess at his meaning, he was
called away, and Mr. Lummocks stepped up and supplied his place.

" 'You had better buy 'em, colonel,' said Mr. Lummocks; 'they will sell
like hot cakes. Did you say you bought for cash?'

" 'Of _course_,' I said, 'if I buy at all.'

"He took a memorandum out of his pocket, and looked in it for a moment.

" 'Let me see,' said he, 'Franco, Franco--what did you say your firm was?
Something and Franco, or Franco and Somebody? The name has escaped me.'

" 'I have no firm,' I replied.

" 'O, you haven't, hain't ye? all alone, eh? But I don't see that I've got
your first name down in my "tickler." '

" 'My first name is Harry,' said I.

" 'Right--yes--I remember,' said Mr. Lummocks, making a memorandum; 'and
your references, colonel, who did you say were your references?'

" 'I have no reference,' I replied; 'indeed I know of no one to whom I
could refer, except my father.'

" 'What--the old boy in the country, eh?'

" 'My father is in the country,' I answered, seriously, not very well
pleased to hear my parent called the 'Old Boy.'

" 'Then you have no _city_ references, eh?'

" 'None at all: I have no friends here, except yourself.'

" 'Me!' exclaimed Mr. Lummocks, apparently in great amazement. 'Oh,
oh!--but how much of a bill do you mean to make with us, captain?'

" 'Perhaps I may buy a vest-pattern,' I replied, 'if you have got some
genteel patterns.'

" '_A vest-pattern!_' exclaimed Mr. Lummocks; 'what! haven't you come down
for the purpose of buying goods?'

" 'No, sir,' I replied: 'I came to New York to seek for employment; and as
you had shown me so many kind attentions, I thought you would be glad to
assist me in finding a situation.'

"Mr. Lummock's countenance underwent a very singular change when I
announced my reasons for callin