He then asked me to loan him some money which I refused to do, but assured him that I would not see him want for the necessaries of life as long as he was with me. I now thought it a good time to urge him to try to sell polish, and lost no time in doing so. When pressed he declared he wouldn't be caught going to a house with a valise in his hand for fifty dollars a day. But he said he had often wished he could be sitting in some one's house some time when I entered and see how I managed. I then proposed that he should make some plausible excuse for visiting a certain house that we should agree upon, and I would call while he was there. The next day was Sunday, and when we were out walking he located a house, and we fixed the next day as the time. I asked him what excuse he would make few calling. He said he would make believe he wanted to buy their house and lot, and the lots adjoining them, and that his intentions were to build a stave and barrel factory. He had been foreman in such a factory, and could talk it right to the point. The next day, after dinner, I asked him if he was going to make that call and hear me sell polish. He said yes, he was ready to start then. He started, and I followed closely after him; and in a very few minutes after he was admitted, I rang the bell and was also admitted by the servant, and ushered into the parlor where Johnny was sitting alone. The girl informed me that her mistress would be down very soon. I asked Johnny, in a low tone, if he had met the lady of the house yet. He said he had not, but she had sent word that she would see him in a few moments. I stepped across the room near him and began looking at some pictures, then carelessly set my valise down by his chair, and after looking at a few more pictures, returned to my own chair, near the hall door, and awaited the lady's coming. She soon entered the parlor, her two grown daughters accompanying her. As they glanced from one of us to the other, I arose and said: "Madam, I am informed that you have offered your property here for sale. I am desirous of purchasing a property of this description, as I want a house with several vacant lots adjoining on which to build a stave and barrel factory." She said they had often spoken about selling out if they had a good chance; but didn't know that their neighbors, or any one else, had ever been informed of it. I then asked her if she would show me the house. She said she would, and as we were about to leave the room I turned to her and said: "Madam, perhaps this gentleman would like your attention before we leave the room. I see he has something for sale in his valise." She turned to him and said: "What is it sir?"