"Then give me three-halfpence to take out with me." "But what are you going to do? We may have nothing to-morrow, and then the three-halfpence will be missed." "Give!" said I, rather sternly, reflecting as I was on my scheme; "be assured, it is for our good." My poor wife gave me the money with a very ill grace, but without another word; and, rising, I went out. When in the street, I directed my footsteps towards the outskirts. They were soon reached. I halted before a tavern frequented wholly by workmen, and going into the public room, called for a _choppe_ of beer. I had purposely chosen my position. Before me was a handsome, neatly-dressed young workman, who, like all his companions, was smoking and drinking beer. Quietly, without saying a word, I drew out a small note-book and a drawing-pencil. I was then considered a very good artist; but had only used my pencil to sketch models. But I now sketched the human face with care and anxiety. Presently, as my pencil was laid down, a man sitting next to me peeped over my shoulder. "Why!" he cried, "that's Alexis, to the life." "How so?" said the man I had been sketching, holding out his hand, into which I put my note-book. "Good!" cried he, while a smile of satisfaction covered his face. "Will you sell this? I should like to keep it." "I will sell it if you like," replied I, as quietly as I could, though my heart was nigh bursting with excitement. "How much?" I knew my man, and asked but six sous, threepence, which the workman gladly paid, while five others followed his example, at the same price. I went home a proud and happy man with my thirty-six pence of copper. Would you believe it? that was the commencement of a long and prosperous career, which lasted until the Revolution of 1848 threw me back again. Six months after, I received a thousand florins for a portrait in oil of the Grand Duchess of B----; and about the end of the same year I drove up to the Hotel of the Minister of the Interior in a splendid carriage, a gentleman by my side; it was the English commercial traveller. We had a letter of audience, and were admitted at once. The Minister rose, and after a very warm greeting, requested us to be seated. We took chairs. "My dear Herwitz," said the Minister, a little, bowing, smirking man, "what can I do for you? Glad to see you doing so well. The Grand Duchess says wonders of you. I will have the committee on your machine." "I beg your pardon," said I, "but I have come to request your written order for its removal. I have sold it to the English house represented by this gentleman." "Its removal!" cried the astonished Minister; "impossible! so excellent an invention should not pass into the hands of foreigners." "So I thought," replied I, coldly, "when for nine months I waited daily in your antechamber, with my family starving at home. But it is now sold. My word is my bond."