her of a
bouncing eleven-pound boy.

On my arrival home I explained to my folks "just how it all happened."

My mother said it showed just how bright I was, to travel six weeks with
a man and not know he was a woman.

Mr. Keefer said he guessed there was no harm done.

CHAPTER XIII.

ENGAGED IN THE PATENT-RIGHT BUSINESS--MY TRADE WITH BROTHER LONG--THE
COMPROMISE--MY SECOND TRADE WITH A DEACON--HIS SUNDAY HONESTY AND
WEEK-DAY ECONOMY--A NEW PARTNER--THE LANDLORD AND HIS CREAM
BISCUITS--HOW WE HEADED HIM OFF--A TRADE FOR A BALKY HORSE--HOW WE
PERSUADED HIM TO GO--OUR FINAL SETTLEMENT WITH THE LANDLORD.

The next day I received a letter from an old gentleman living at
Bronson, Mich., who had just patented a dropper for a reaping-machine,
and wanted me to sell County rights for him, and establish agencies. As
a drowning man clutches at a straw, so did I embrace this opportunity,
and instructed him to send on his papers at once, with the model. He did
so. On the day I received it my mother and myself were walking down
street, when I noticed her bowing to an elderly gentleman driving a
handsome pair of bay horses. I asked his name. She said it was Brother
Long.

"Brother Long," said I; "and who is Brother Long?"

"Why, he is a deacon in our church."

"Oh, I see. I wonder if he wouldn't like to trade those horses for
patent rights?" I ventured to remark.

She sarcastically observed that she would like to see me trade him out
of those beautiful horses.

That afternoon I called at his house with my model, and as I stepped in,
said: "How-do-you-do, Brother Long?" He smiled pleasantly, and extending
his hand inquired my name. "Why," said I, "I am a son of your sister
Keefer. Johnston is my name. Mr. Keefer is my step-father." "O, I
understand. Take a chair; lay off your hat. Aren't you the young man who
led in prayer the other evening?"

I told him I didn't remember just what evening I did attend
prayer-meeting last, but didn't think I was the one he alluded to.

I then said: "Brother Long, I am representing Warner's patent dropper
for a reaping-machine, and am desirous of making you agent for this
County. I don't ask you to invest anything, nor to give your signature;
neither do I give you mine. I simply leave you a model, and you are to
sell as many as possible, on which we allow you a regular commission of
twenty-five per cent. Or, if you see fit to buy a few counties, you can
then make fifty per cent.