able loser. The way I figured
it, I would have at least one hundred dollars my due on settlement. But
imagine my surprise, when I received a statement showing a shortage of
seventy-five dollars, which Mr. Keefer would be obliged to pay. I was
then owing a week's board bill, and had not a cent to my name.

After carefully examining Colonel Lippencott's statement, I was
satisfied that he was correct.

I saw where I had failed to charge myself up and credit him with nearly
two hundred dollars' worth of goods, at a time, no doubt, when I had an
engagement with some "dude" to play billiards.

I immediately wrote Colonel Lippencott that I would return home soon,
when the deficit would be made good.

I was now at a loss to know how to "make a raise." While sitting in the
hotel office one afternoon contemplating matters most seriously, and
feeling silly and foolish over my winter's exploit, a young,
despondent-looking chap came into the office carrying a valise and bag,
about half filled with something. He registered, and after making rates
with the landlord, took a seat near me. He had a woe-begone look, and
seemed nervous and anxious.

I immediately opened up conversation with him, and learned he was from a
small town in Illinois, whence he had started as a canvasser, selling
nutmeg-graters.

I asked how he was doing. He said he had been out three days, and hadn't
sold a grater.

I asked if he had worked hard, and he said yes, but he hadn't "nerve"
enough for that business.

I asked him to show me one, which he did.

They were a very novel, ingenious thing, and I asked him about the
price.

He said he could sell them for twenty-five cents, and make money. I told
him he could sell more at fifty cents each, than he could at
twenty-five.

He said he couldn't see how that could be, and I reminded him of what
Barnum said about the American people.

To this he replied: "By gol, I'll be gosh durn glad to sell all I have
fer just what they cost me."

"How much would that be?"

"One dollar and fifty cents per dozen," he answered.

"How many have you?"

"Twenty dozen."

I took the one he was showing me and putting it into my pocket, started
out. I called at a general store and enquired for the proprietor, and
when pointed out to me, stepped up to him briskly, and said:

"Mr. ----, do you want to make some money?"

"Why yes, that's what I am here for."

"Well then, sir," producing the novelty, "how would you