“I traded for this stock of goods, and under the circumstances it is a white elephant on my hands. The quicker I get rid of it the better off I will be. When I say I am going to close out this stock regardless of cost or value I mean it, I positively mean it. “The first thing I shall put up will be a fine, custom-made suit of clothing. Mr. Carlysle, will you please hand me up the very best suit you can find in the lot.” Mr. Carlysle, after looking around a moment, passed up the suit already agreed on. “Now, gentlemen, here is a nice, black, custom-made suit of clothes that cost twenty-six dollars, direct from the manufacturer. If you will look carefully at the price marked on the collar you will see it was intended to sell at thirty-five. How much am I offered as a starter? How much, gentlemen? Make a bid. I don’t care how much or how little. Your price is my price, and whatever you say goes. “Will you give twenty dollars?” “No; will you give ten dollars? Five dollars? No? Two dollars? Not even two dollars? Well, then, who’ll offer me one dollar? “Ah, thank you, sir. Now, there is a man with a level head. “I don’t like to start a thirty-five dollar suit of clothes for one dollar, but I’ll do it, just the same, and here goes. “One dollar I’m offered, one dollar, one dollar; who’ll make it two? “Thank you, sir. Two dollars, two dollars, two dollars I have; who’ll make it three? “Three dollars I have; who is generous enough to bring it up to four? “Yes; there is a smart man over yonder, who knows a good thing when he sees it. Four dollars I have, at four, at four, at four; who’ll make it five? who’ll make it five? “Remember, gentlemen, this is a genuine, all wool, imported English worsted, that cost twenty-six dollars, and was price-marked thirty-five. We guarantee a fit if you are near the size, or refund the money. Do I hear the five? Will you give the five. Who’ll say the five? Will you make the five, at four, at four, at four and going, going—going at four. At four, at four, at four—did I hear the five? Holy smoke. What’s the matter with this town? Do you want a man to stand up here and yell his lungs out for a dollar? Why, I’m twenty-two dollars in the hole, now, as it stands. Do you expect me to get up here and sell you twenty dollar gold pieces for the small sum of ten cents? “It’s a crying shame for you to stand here and let a thirty-five dollar suit of clothes go for four dollars. Why, it’s worth more than that for an every-day, knock-around business outfit, to say nothing of the fact that it’s all right for dress occasions. What, four fifty do I hear? No, sir; I don’t take a half dollar bid at this stage of the proceedings. If you’ll raise it fifty cents I’ll cry your bid. All right. Thank you, sir. Five I have; now, who’ll give me six?