price as that! I'll give
you two twenty-five, an' I'll be coming again some time."

"We couldn't take so low as two twenty-five, ma'am. You may have it for
two dollars and a half."

After another ineffectual attempt to get it for two dollars and a
quarter, the Irish woman finally offered two dollars and forty-five
cents, and this offer was accepted.

She pulled out a paper of change and counted out two dollars and forty
cents, when she declared that she had not another cent. But the clerk
understood her game and coolly proceeded to put the coat back on the
pile. Then the woman very opportunely found another five-cent piece
stored away in the corner of her pocket.

"It's robbin' me, ye are," said she as she paid it over.

"Oh, no, ma'am, you are getting a great bargain," answered the clerk.

Joe had witnessed the bargaining with a good deal of quiet amusement. As
soon as the Irish couple had gone the clerk came toward the boy.

"Well, young man, what can I do for you?" he asked, pleasantly.

"I want a suit of clothing. Not an expensive suit, but one guaranteed to
be all wool."

"A light or a dark suit?"

"A dark gray."

"I can fit you out in a fine suit of this order," and the clerk pointed
to several lying in a heap nearby.

"I don't want that sort. I want something on the order of those in the
window marked nine dollars and a half."

"Oh, all right."

Several suits were brought forth, and one was found that fitted Joe
exceedingly well.

"You guarantee this to be all wool?" asked the boy.

"Every thread of it."

"Then I'll take it."

"Very well; the price is twelve dollars."

"Isn't it like that in the window?"

"On that order, but a trifle better."

"It seems to me to be about the same suit. I'll give you nine dollars
and a half."

"I can't take it. I'll give it to you for eleven and a half. That is our
best figure."

"Then I'll go elsewhere for a suit," answered Joe, and started to leave
the clothing establishment.

"Hold on, don't be so fast!" cried the clerk, catching him by the arm.
"I'll make it eleven and a quarter."

"Not a cent more than the advertised price, nine and a half," replied
Joe, firmly.

"Oh, but this isn't the same suit."

"It's just like it, to my eye. But you needn't sell it for that if you
don't want it. Mason & Harris are offering some bargains, I believe."

"You can get a better bargain here than anywhere in this town, or in
Philadelphia either," answered