Doctor Carter tells him he intends to put his engraved picture above the article, and that it is expected the citizens will help out liberally on the enterprise, which not only does justice to them, but will attract attention to the town. Mr. Smith probably subscribed for fifty copies—twelve dollars and a half—and put up five dollars more, and a photograph, in order that his likeness might grace the pages of the Hornet supplement. If he had been the proprietor of a large mercantile establishment the tariff would most likely have been as much more. Every relative of Mr. John Smith, to the third and fourth generation doubtless received a marked copy of that paper. Of course, an edition which exceeded the normal output by at least twenty fold was valuable for legitimate advertising, and its space per inch worth a sum which, compared with ordinary numbers, was almost fabulous. Of that fact, Mr. Matthews no doubt made his account, but with it we had nothing to do. When the last bill for write-ups and “cuts” (on these a profit of two to five hundred per cent. was made) had been collected to the uttermost farthing, the doctor professed himself as satisfied, and prepared to move out in search of “fresh fields and pastures green.” And now the hour of our parting was at hand, and I was to find myself once more adrift, though this time more ready and capable to take up the battle and fight for a fortune. [Illustration] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER V. FAKIR MAXIMS—A HAPPY MEETING—AUCTION BUSINESS—TALK AND AUCTION GAGS—THE BOY AUCTIONEER—PARTING WITH PROF. CARTER. Before we separated the doctor gave me some parting words of admonition. “My son,” he said, beaming on me in a proud and happy way—for were not his pockets filled to bursting with the result of the raid on B——.? “it is dead easy to work the public if you have confidence in yourself, and a thorough understanding of the people with whom you deal. “I have been in the business a good many years, and I know whereof I speak. You will have your downs as well as ups, since you are a young man, and cannot always gauge the amount of strength needed, or know the exact nature of the forces which must be brought to bear. You will probably be beaten sometimes, and busted often; but under every circumstance, never despair. You were put here to make a living, and if you don’t succeed it is your own fault. I have given you an insight into different branches of fakirdom; cultivate the rest after the same fashion. They are all alike, and founded on the same general principles. These monitions heed: “Never carry an old sample case. It looks bad and hurts your business. “Put your whole heart and soul into business, and ‘stick to your knitting.’ “A good argument for one thing answers as well for another. Don’t forget it. “Get to the level of your customer, but remain a gentleman.