"Then you can send them home," replied the merchant, in a manner that offended Eldon. "Very well, I will do so, and you may keep your goods," he retorted, betraying, as he spoke, a good deal of warmth. And the goods were sent back, both parties feeling offended; Lladd at the glaring attempt made to overreach him, and Eldon because the other would not submit to be overreached. On the day following, Eldon started out in search of another lot of the goods he wanted, and thought himself fortunate in meeting with some in the hands of a dealer named Miller, but demurred when twelve dollars and a half a piece were asked for them. "I can't take less," was replied. "But," said Eldon, "Lladd has the same article for ten and a half." "You don't pretend to put his goods alongside of mine?" returned Miller. Eldon examined them more closely. "They are better, it is true. But the difference is not so great as the price." "Look again." Another close examination was made. "They are finer and thicker certainly. But you ask too much for them." "It's my lowest price. They will bring it in the market, which is now bare." "Won't you let me have a dozen pieces at twelve dollars?" asked Eldon. "Can't sell a piece for less than what I said." Eldon hung on for some time, but finally ordered a dozen pieces to be sent home, and paid the bill, though with a bad grace. Still, he was so angry with Lladd because he had shown a proper resentment at the effort made to overreach him, that he determined to buy no more of his goods if he could supply himself at a higher price. Thus matters went on for five or six months, Eldon supplying himself at the store of Miller, and reconciling himself to the serious advance in price, with the reflection that Lladd's goods were remaining dead on his hands. At last, Miller's supply was exhausted. Eldon called, one day, and ordered a dozen pieces, and received for answer-- "Not a piece in the store." "What? All gone?" said Eldon. "Yes, you got the last some days ago." "I'm sorry for that. Lladd has a good stock on hand, but I don't care about dealing with him, if I can help it. He's a crusty sort of a fellow. Has no other house a supply?" "Not to my knowledge. There is only a limited demand for the article, you know, and but few importers care about ordering it, for the reason that it goes off slowly." Eldon tried several places, but couldn't find a yard. By the next day, his workmen would be idle; and so he had no alternative but to call upon Lladd. The merchant received him pleasantly; and they chatted for a while on matters and things in general. At last Eldon, though it went against the grain, said-- "I want you to send me twenty pieces of those goods around, with the bill." The merchant smiled blandly and replied-- "Sorry I can't accommodate you. But I haven't a yard in the store." "What?" Lladd looked blank. "No. I have sold off the entire lot, and concluded not to import any more of that class of goods."