collapsed, I shook
hands with my three friends who were very enthusiastic over my
generosity, remarking that they hadn't the slightest idea of my
intention of giving so much. I told them I didn't believe in doing
things by halves.

At the hotel the next day I was introduced to the pretty actress who
thanked me for my generous gift, and declared that success was sure to
reward men of such liberal principles, but added that she had always
noticed, however, that those who gave the most freely were those who had
the most to give, or at any rate, those who experienced but little
difficulty in making money fast.

I had but little to say in reply to her assertion, but took special
pains to jingle the last three twenty-five cent pieces I had in my
pocket, and assumed an air of independence sufficient, no doubt, to
convince her that I possessed my share of this world's goods.

When I took the train at Brainerd for Fargo, who should make his
appearance as conductor but my old friend Johnny, whom the reader will
remember as being my partner and companion at the neat, nice, tidy
boarding-house while selling auction goods.

The moment I discovered his identity I pulled my hat down over my eyes
and turned up my coat collar so he would not recognize me, and as he
approached me I began talking very loud as though in conversation with
some one near me and said: "Well sir, the place where I stopped was a
neat, nice, clean, tidy boarding-house, the children were well-bred, the
old lady a good conversationalist, a mighty good cook, and everything
was so home-like."

Johnny seemed almost paralyzed on hearing these remarks and instantly
began to scrutinize me very closely, but as I had raised quite a
moustache and goatee since our dissolution, he failed to recognize me.
He then demanded my ticket, and without turning my face towards him, but
rather turning it from him I declared I had no ticket. He asked where I
was going. I answered: "Well sir, I am going to Fargo, and if I can
prevail upon my wife to sell another house and lot and send me the
money, I am going to either start a stave and barrel factory, or go into
the auction business."

At this he began laughing, and taking hold of my hat and raising it from
my head, said: "Well you infernal vender of the Incomprehensible
compound, double-distilled furniture and piano luster, what are you
giving me? Produce your ticket, or off you go, bag and baggage."

We had a nice visit, and