"So I will," said Sam. "You needn't give to everybody. There isn't much use in giving to children." "Yes, sir." "But if you see any one walking as if he had corns, be sure to hand him one." "Yes, sir." "Now count off a hundred of the circulars, and go downstairs." "All right, sir." This was the first regular employment Sam had obtained, and he felt rather important. He resolved to acquit himself to the satisfaction of the doctor. In his zeal he even determined to improve upon his instructions. He had no sooner taken his stand than he saw a gentleman and lady approaching. They were young, and, being engaged, were indulging in conversation more interesting to themselves than any one else. The gentleman had on a pair of tight boots, and from his style of walking Sam concluded that he was a suitable customer. "Here, sir," said he, pressing a circular into the young man's gloved hand. "What's that?" asked the young man. Then, glancing at it, he showed it with a laugh to the young lady. "Look here, boy," he said turning to Sam, "what made you give me this?" "You walked as if you'd got corns," said Sam, honestly. "Walk right up, and Dr. Graham will cure 'em in a jiffy." "Perhaps you'll tell me what is to become of this young lady while I go up, Johnny?" "Maybe she's got corns too," said Sam. "She can go up too." Both the lady and gentleman laughed convulsively, considerably to Sam's surprise, for he was not aware that he had said anything unusual or funny. "Shall we go up, Eliza?" asked the young man. The only answer was a laugh, and they passed on. The next one who attracted Sam's attention was an elderly maiden lady. "Have you got corns, ma'am?" asked Sam, eagerly. Now it so happened that the lady was a little deaf, and did not understand Sam's question. Unfortunately for herself, she stopped short, and inquired, "What did you say?" "I guess she's hard of hearing," Sam concluded, and raising his voice loud enough to be heard across the street, he repeated his question: "HAVE YOU GOT CORNS, MA'AM?" At the same time he thrust a circular into the hand of the astonished and mortified lady. Two school-girls, just behind, heard the question, and laughed heartily. The offended lady dropped the paper as if it were contamination, and sailed by, her sallow face red with anger. "That's funny," thought Sam. "I don't know what's got into all the people. Seems to me they're ashamed of havin' corns." The next half-dozen took circulars, mechanically glanced at them, and dropped them indifferently. "Guess they aint got corns," thought the observing Sam. By and by a countryman came along, and into his hand Sam put the circular. "What's this?" he asked. "It's corns. Just go upstairs, and the doctor'll cure 'em less'n no time." "Wal, I have got two," said the countryman. "They hurt like time too. What does this doctor charge?" Sam did not know, but he was not the boy to allow his ignorance to appear. "Ten cents apiece," he answered.