"What are you here for, any way?" demanded the clerk, with an air of insulted majesty. "To buy some clothes," said Ben; "but you needn't show 'em to me. I'll go to somebody else." "Have you got any money?" "You'll know soon enough." He went to another part of the store, and applied to a salesman whose appearance he liked better. After some hesitation, Ben made choice of a suit of substantial warm cloth, a dark mixed sack-coat, vest of the same material, and a pair of pants of neat pattern. "I won't trouble you to send 'em," said Ben, "as my house is closed for the season." The bundle was made up, and handed to him. The price of the entire suit was twenty dollars, which was a good price for those days. Ben took the bundle under his arm and went out. His purchases were not yet all made. He went next to a furnishing store, and bought three shirts, three pairs of stockings, some collars, and a necktie, finishing up with a pair of gloves. These cost him eight dollars. A neat felt hat and a pair of shoes, which he procured elsewhere, completed his outfit. On counting up, Ben found that he had expended thirty-six dollars, leaving in his hands a balance of fourteen dollars and thirty-seven cents. Before putting on his new purchases, Ben felt that he must go through a process of purification. He went, therefore, to a barber's basement shop, with which baths were connected, and, going down the steps, said to the barber's assistant, who happened to be alone at the time, "I want a warm bath." "Pay in advance," said the young man, surveying the ragged figure before him with some hesitation. "All right," said Ben. "How much is it?" "Twenty-five cents." "Here it is," said Ben, producing the exact amount from his vest-pocket.