o, Dr. S. W. Ingraham, whose office is now on South Clark Street.

He had been called there to perform a surgical operation, and being
obliged to spend an hour or two in the hotel office before taking a
return train, he became an interested listener to several stories told
by a couple of drummers and myself. He finally told one or two which
convinced us that we had struck an old-timer. After we had related some
personal experiences I learned, to my great delight, that the Doctor's
experience had been almost as varied as my own. He began by relating the
different kinds of business he had engaged in while a young man; but he
was unable to mention a single thing that I hadn't embarked in and of
which I could show up a smattering of knowledge.

Finally he said:

"Now, Johnston, I am going to head you off right here."

"What is it, Doctor? I am anxious to know what it is."

"Well sir, I'll bet you never made a political speech, and I stumped
Ohio during one campaign and made one speech a night for ten consecutive
weeks."

"I can beat that. I stumped Ohio for Hayes and Tilden, and made two
speeches on the platform for one consecutive night."

"But how could you speak for Hayes and Tilden? One was a Democrat and
the other a Republican."

"No matter, I did it anyhow, and all in the same speech, too."

And to prove the correctness of my statement, as the Doctor seemed a
little incredulous, I jumped to my feet and delivered a part of my
Republican speech and then a part of the Democratic, and then headed him
off by relating my experience running a fruit stand, the three days with
a side-show, besides one or two other ventures. When I told him I was an
auctioneer he at once became interested in me, as he had been one
himself in his younger days. I quickly satisfied him that I could sell
at auction, and he likewise convinced me that he "had been there." I
then narrated the ups and downs I had had, and showed up my books for
the winter's losses, and how I had just sent my late partner about all
the money I had. He asked my plans for the future. I told him about my
furniture polish, and that it was always a sure thing. He listened
attentively, and after a moment's reflection said:

"But the time of year is just coming when you could make money fast if
you had a nice auction stock."

"I know that; and another thing I know is just how to do it now, as I
have paid well for my experience."

"Well," said the Doctor, surprisi