f that spot."

"Well, sir," said he, "if you don't like the looks of that rusty spot,
just leave it right where it is. But if you like it well enough to give
me your horse and watch and chain for it, all right. If not, there will
be no harm done."

His independence caught me, I traded at once.

I walked back home with much pride, and showed my new watch to the
folks.

My mother looked at it suspiciously and said, in rather a sneering tone,
"Why, it looks like a cheap brass watch, and I believe it is."

"O, I think that watch is all right," said Mr. Keefer, in an assuring
manner, "and I believe he has made a good trade. We'll hitch up the team
and go down to Geo. Ramsey (the jeweler) and see what he has to say
about it."

So we started off and handed the watch to Mr. Ramsey. He looked it over
carefully and said:

"Well, Perry, it is so badly out of repair that it would not pay you to
have it fixed."

"What would be the expense?"

"About five dollars."

"After being put in good order what would it be worth?" I confidently
asked again.

"Well, Mr. Close, the auctioneer down street, has been selling them for
three dollars and a half apiece."

I put the watch in my pocket, and thanking him, left the store, and
explained to Mr. Keefer "just how it all happened."

He said he thought "it was enough to fool any one."

I then borrowed fifteen dollars of him, to "sort of bridge me over,"
until I could get on my feet again.

I kept quiet about my trade. In fact, _I had nothing to say_. I simply
told two or three of my acquaintances who I thought might help me out.

A few days after this a gentleman from Kentucky made his appearance on
the streets with a patent rat trap.

One of the men to whom I had shown the watch, happened to be talking to
him as I passed by, and remarked:

"That red-headed fellow owns a watch which he traded a horse and nice
watch for a few days ago, and I believe you can trade him territory in
your patent for it."

"I'll give you ten dollars if you will help me put it through," said the
rat trap man.

"All right, I'll help you," said my friend.

It was not long before I was found and induced to look at the rat trap.

I was immensely pleased with it, and felt certain I could sell a rat
trap to every farmer in the country, if I had the right to do so.

"What is the price of Sandusky County?"

"One hundred dollars."

"Well, I guess the price is reasonable enough," I said, "but I h