ictim and put the deal through in less
than an hour, and pocketed twenty-five dollars--my share of the profits.
I then returned at once to my flavoring extract and sold over three
dollars' worth that afternoon, making a clear profit of thirty-five
dollars for my day's work.

I then joined Frank at Sturgis, and after settling up our affairs there,
he left for Ohio with the understanding that I would meet him at Elmore
three days later.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XVI.

ARRIVING AT ELMORE, OHIO, STRANDED--RECEIVING EIGHT DOLLARS ON A
PATENT-RIGHT SALE--DUNNED IN ADVANCE BY THE LANDLORD--CHANGING
HOTELS--MY VISIT TO FREMONT--MEETING MR. KEEFER AND BORROWING MONEY--OUR
VISIT TO FINDLAY--A BIG DEAL--LOSING MONEY IN WHEAT--FOLLOWED BY
OFFICERS WITH A WRIT OF REPLEVIN--OUTWITTING THEM--A FOUR-MILE
CHASE--HIDING OUR RIG IN A CELLAR.

I stopped at Bronson, where my wife and boy were visiting her people and
in a couple of days we all started for Elmore, where we arrived bag and
baggage without a cent.

My wife said she couldn't see why I should want her to accompany me when
I was meeting with such poor success. I explained that it would possibly
come very handy to have her Saratoga trunk along occasionally to help
satisfy the landlords of our responsibility.

"O, I see you want to sort of pawn us, occasionally for hotel bills,
don't you?"

"Well, yes," I answered, "it might be convenient to do so should we get
cornered."

She said she didn't think she cared to be detained for hotel bills.

"Well, you wouldn't see a fellow starve would you?"

"No," she replied, "but if ever we _are_ pawned I want you to try and
redeem us as soon as possible."

We took quarters at one of the best hotels, and the next day after our
arrival a young man came there selling ornamental stove-pipe hole covers
made of plaster of paris.

I made his acquaintance at once and learned that he was from Battle
Creek, Mich., where his father resided and owned a good property.

I asked his reason for engaging in that business. He said his father
suggested it so that he would gain experience.

"Oh, I see, you are looking for experience."

"Yes, that's what I want."

"Well sir," I said, "you are in a poor business to get experience. You
ought to get into the business I am in if you want experience."

"What is your business?" he asked. I then introduced my model and
explained its merits.

He said he would like Calhoun County, Mich., and