And then he began to talk business, showing up his somewhat bedimmed samples to the best possible advantage, and quoting prices in a manner that made the restaurant-keeper think he was an old hand at the business.

The man was not particularly in need of anything, but he liked Matt's way, and thought it was worth something to have a good story to tell to his rival's discredit. He bought four dozen triple-plated spoons and a carving-knife, and then Matt persuaded him to invest in a new toothpick holder, and a match holder of aluminum, which were both very pretty and cheap.

"Just an even seven dollars!" thought Matt, as he hurried back to the wagon. "I don't think that so bad. Our profits on that sale ought to be at least two dollars."

Andy was waiting for him. He had sold, after a good deal of hard talking, a dozen knives and forks, upon which he had been forced to make a slight discount. He listened to Matt's story in amazement.

"Seven dollars' worth! That's fine, Matt! You must be a born salesman.

Keep right on, by all means."

"But I don't expect any such luck every time," returned the boy, and then he told the story of his troubles in the first restaurant he had visited.

"It was plucky in you to stick out as you did," was Andy's comment. "I don't believe I could have done it. I would have gone out and picked up the things myself."

"I wouldn't, never!" cried Matt, and his whole face showed the spirit within him.

It was only four o'clock in the afternoon, and Andy suggested that they continue to try their luck until sundown. So they drove on down the street slowly, visiting every restaurant and many stores on the way.

In one place Matt sold a dozen spoons, and in another a fancy water-pitcher. Andy sold some spoons also, and a cheap watch and chain, which the buyer explained he intended to sell to some customer for double the money.

At the last place at which they stopped Andy made arrangements to remain all night. A stable was also found for Billy and the wagon, and by eight o'clock the partners found themselves free from business cares. Matt moved that they have supper, and to this Andy willingly agreed.

While the two were waiting for their orders to be filled, Andy brought out a bit of paper and a pencil and began to figure.

"The net receipts for the day were eighteen dollars and a half," he said, when he had finished. "The goods and the license cost thirteen dollars and sixty cents. That leaves a profit of four dollars and ninety cents, which is not so bad, considering that we only worked about five hours all told."

"And what were our expenses?" asked Matt.

Andy did a little more figuring.

"Expenses from this morning until to-morrow morning, including this supper, about two dollars and thirty cents."

"Then we have two dollars and sixty cents over all?"

"Yes, that is, without counting wear and tear on wagon, harness, and so forth."

"Of course. But that isn't so bad."

"Indeed it is not," returned Andy. "If we do as well as that every day we shall get along very well, although I trust to do even better."

CHAPTER XIII.

THE CORN SALVE DOCTOR.

After supper the two partners found that time hung a little heavily upon their hands. Matt suggested that they walk around the city a bit, taking in the sights, but Andy was too tired.

"I'll tell you what I will do, though," said the older member of the firm. "I'll get one of the accordions out and you can get a banjo, and we can practice a little. There is nothing like being prepared for an emergency, you know."

"That is true, and we'll have to brush up quite a bit if we wish to play in public," laughed Matt.

He accompanied Andy to the barn where the wagon was stored, and they brought not only the accordion and the banjo, but also a violin and a mouth harmonica.

These instruments they took to the bedroom which had been a.s.signed to them, and here, while it was yet early, they tuned up and began to practice upon such simple tunes as both knew by heart. Matt first tried the banjo, and after he had it in tune with the accordion, the partners played half a dozen selections quite creditably.

"We wouldn't do for grand opera soloists, but I guess it will be good enough to attract crowds in small country towns," laughed Andy, as he ground out a lively German waltz.

"Supposing we try the violin and banjo," suggested Matt, and Andy took up the king of instruments.

But this did not go so well, and it was not long before Andy turned back to the accordion, which, according to his statement, half-played itself. Matt tried the mouth harmonica, and surprised not only Andy, but half a dozen listeners, by the wonderful effects he produced upon the little instrument.

"Good for you!" shouted Andy, as Matt finished a particularly clever selection. "If the auction business fails, you can go on the variety stage."

"No, thank you," returned Matt. "I understand enough about it to know that it is little better than a dog's life. I just as lief stick to what I'm doing, or become a traveling order salesman for some big New York house."

"Well, I don't know but what that shows your level-headedness,"

returned Andy.

The two slept soundly that night. Matt was up at five o'clock the next morning, and he at once aroused his partner. They had an early breakfast, and then walked around to the stable where the wagon was housed.

While they were hitching up Billy a middle-aged man, rather slouchy in appearance, came shuffling in.

"Are you the two young fellers what's running this here auction wagon?" he began, addressing Matt.

"We are," returned the boy. "What do you want?"

"Pretty good business, ain't it?" went on the stranger, without answering the question which had been put.

"Sometimes it is."

"I reckon there's a heap of money in it," proceeded the shabby stranger.

"Well, we are not yet millionaires," put in Andy, with a pleasant laugh.

"I know a feller what made a pile of money in the auction business,"

remarked the man as he ejected a quant.i.ty of tobacco juice from his mouth. "He was a rip-snorter at it, though--could talk a table into walking off--and keep it up all day and half the night."

To this statement Matt and Andy made no reply. Neither liked the looks of the newcomer, and both wished he would go away.

"Say, you don't want to take a fellow in, do you?" asked the man, after a slight pause, as he came close beside Matt, who was nearest to him.

"No, we haven't any work for an outsider," returned the boy.

"I'm a rustler when I get a-going, let me tell you. I can tell stories and sing and sell more goods than any one has any idea of. Besides that, I've got a new corn salve I put up myself which goes like hot cakes. Barberry's Lightning Salve, I call it--my name is Paul Barberry, you know--Dr. Barberry, most of 'em call me. Say the word, and I'll go with you and put up my salve against your outfit, and we'll share and share alike."