ewelry, as the
storm was raging furiously; besides, it was long before daylight. But I
decided to return to the hotel and remain till morning.

When I walked into the office with my sample case still in the shape
as when it "busted," the landlord gazed at me a moment, and asked what
in thunder I'd been doing with my jewelry. I explained, and he said he
supposed the jewelry, trays and all were still flying through the air,
and if the storm kept up they probably would never stop.

His idea was about correct, I think. At any rate I never saw one
dollar's worth of my goods afterwards. Of course the heavy fall of snow
would very soon cover it up any how, but it is very doubtful if any of
it was ever found any where in the vicinity of the depot.

The next day after satisfying myself that my stock of jewelry had
vanished and that I was again "busted," I took the train for Brainerd,
where I once more resorted to selling furniture polish.

While at this town I called at a house, rang the door bell and was
admitted by a person whom I at once recognized as an old school teacher
who had taught our district school at Galetown Corners years before. As
he did not recognize me I thought I would have a little fun with him,
and after introducing my polish, I produced a small book containing the
names of my patrons at Brainerd, and said:

"Mister, I have here the names of those who have been buying, which I
will read, to show you that it is an article of value and one that is
appreciated by almost every housekeeper."

So saying I began to read off the names of people living in the old
Galetown school-district, such as Mrs. M. Keefer, Mrs. John Bartlett,
Mrs. Curt Dirlam, Mrs. R. E. Betts, Mrs. Alfred Hutchinson, Mrs. James
Drown, Mrs. John Lefever, Mrs. Dave Ramsey, Mrs. Sidney Tuck, Mrs. Calif
Luce, Mrs. Samuel Chapin, Mrs.----

"Great Scott! Do all those people live in this town?"

"Why not?" I asked.

"Why not? Caesar-ation! I used to teach school in Ohio. In a neighborhood
which contained the sir names, given names, initials and all, of every
person you have mentioned."

I slipped the book into my pocket and told him I could not help that,
and then began to show the polish to him and the lady of the house. He
was too much excited to give any attention to it, but as he was only a
visitor, that did not signify much. He soon asked me to read those names
over again. When I had finished he inquired of his hostess if she knew
an