holidays was over; but I began having chills and fever
and night sweats which very soon reduced me several pounds in weight,
and I could plainly see was fast reducing my physical strength.

My wife and I then visited her parents at Bronson, Michigan.

And now I am obliged to make mention of one fact that heretofore has not
been necessary to speak of. My domestic life had not proved a success,
and a separation occurred on the nineteenth of March, 1881, my wife
remaining with her parents. Our little boy had been living with my
mother at Clyde, during the preceding two years, where we mutually
agreed to have him remain; and he has continued to reside there up to
the present time. In due course of time the Courts annulled the
marriage.

I reached Clyde on the evening of the day of our final separation, and
was so ill that my physical system seemed about prostrated.

Our old family physician, Dr. Brown, was at that time down sick, and I
chanced to call on a physician who had recently moved there. He seemed
much pleased with my condition, and after a thorough examination,
informed me that one of my lungs was entirely destroyed and the other
one almost gone; and if I had good luck I might live a couple of years.

When I went home and reported my bright prospects my mother began to
cry, and said she always thought I would die with consumption. Mr.
Keefer looked sad and solemn, and said: "It does beat the devil."

CHAPTER XXXII.

A FRIEND LOANS ME TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS--MY ARRIVAL IN CHICAGO--FORTY
DOLLARS' WORTH OF GOODS ON CREDIT--I LEAVE FOR MICHIGAN--EFFECTING A
SALE BY STRATAGEM--GREAT SUCCESS DURING THE SUMMER--ENFORCING A
CREDIT--CONTINUED SUCCESS--OPENING AN OFFICE IN THE CITY--PAYING MY OLD
DEBTS, WITH INTEREST--MY TRIP TO NEW YORK--BUYING GOODS FROM THE
MANUFACTURERS--MY RETURN TO CHICAGO--NOW I DO HUS'LE--IMMENSE SUCCESS.

A few days later our old Doctor was up and around, and called to see me.
He diagnosed my case, and pronounced my lungs perfectly sound; and
declared that if I should live an hundred years I'd never have lung
trouble. He informed me that I was suffering from a complication of
diseases, and general debility caused by over-work and the general
excitement and hus'ling naturally attending my business; and assured me
that with the energy and determination I showed in my disposition to get
well, he would bring me out all right. He was much surprised, however,
when called a few days later, to