n
old broom in my hand, trying to play billiards and talking in my sleep
about carrom and masse shots and pocketing balls.

I had no reason to doubt his statement, for it was a fact that I had
become so infatuated with the game that it was almost impossible to
resist it, and in fact I had no desire to do so.

I enjoyed it greatly, so much so that I got into the habit of leaving
the store during business hours to indulge in it. And there never was an
evening that we were not in the billiard room till it closed for the
night. My clerk was a good player, and enjoyed playing with me no doubt,
because he could easily beat me, and because I had plenty of money with
which to pay the bills.

He was fond of balls and parties, and like myself, enjoyed ladies'
society, and we were both susceptible to their influence. We soon fell
in with the "jolly good fellows" of every town, many of whom were able
to indulge in a lavish expenditure of money, while by rights neither of
us could afford anything better than a plain, comfortable living; but as
we had joined them, we must be "good fellows" also. Consequently I very
soon found my business running behind.

There was no day when the profits were not large, but my expenses were
enormous. I realized that the billiard game was dragging me down, and
every night after settling my bills I would say that I didn't think I
would ever play any more. I was very careful however, not to declare
myself against it entirely, because I loved it too well.

We traveled from town to town constantly running behind. Towards spring
we made a stop at Bronson, Michigan, where we continued to "fly high,"
as we used to express it, and at this place while attending a ball, I
met a young lady who afterwards became my wife. We remained there six
weeks, when my clerk left for home.

As my contract with Colonel Lippencott would expire on March first, at
which time I was to return all unsold goods, for which I would receive
credit, or cash refunded, I packed and shipped my remaining stock to
him, with instructions to send me a statement of account to White
Pigeon, Michigan. There I went with a view to meeting an old friend, who
I found had left for the West a few days prior to my arrival. Finding,
however, a comfortable stopping place, I remained there to await the
statement from Colonel Lippencott.

I of course realized, from my rude system of book-keeping, and the way
the goods invoiced, that I was a consider