I of course realized, from my rude system of book-keeping, and the way the goods invoiced, that I was a considerable loser. The way I figured it, I would have at least one hundred dollars my due on settlement. But imagine my surprise, when I received a statement showing a shortage of seventy-five dollars, which Mr. Keefer would be obliged to pay. I was then owing a week's board bill, and had not a cent to my name. After carefully examining Colonel Lippencott's statement, I was satisfied that he was correct. I saw where I had failed to charge myself up and credit him with nearly two hundred dollars' worth of goods, at a time, no doubt, when I had an engagement with some "dude" to play billiards. I immediately wrote Colonel Lippencott that I would return home soon, when the deficit would be made good. I was now at a loss to know how to "make a raise." While sitting in the hotel office one afternoon contemplating matters most seriously, and feeling silly and foolish over my winter's exploit, a young, despondent-looking chap came into the office carrying a valise and bag, about half filled with something. He registered, and after making rates with the landlord, took a seat near me. He had a woe-begone look, and seemed nervous and anxious. I immediately opened up conversation with him, and learned he was from a small town in Illinois, whence he had started as a canvasser, selling nutmeg-graters. I asked how he was doing. He said he had been out three days, and hadn't sold a grater. I asked if he had worked hard, and he said yes, but he hadn't "nerve" enough for that business. I asked him to show me one, which he did. They were a very novel, ingenious thing, and I asked him about the price. He said he could sell them for twenty-five cents, and make money. I told him he could sell more at fifty cents each, than he could at twenty-five. He said he couldn't see how that could be, and I reminded him of what Barnum said about the American people. To this he replied: "By gol, I'll be gosh durn glad to sell all I have fer just what they cost me." "How much would that be?" "One dollar and fifty cents per dozen," he answered. "How many have you?" "Twenty dozen." I took the one he was showing me and putting it into my pocket, started out. I called at a general store and enquired for the proprietor, and when pointed out to me, stepped up to him briskly, and said: "Mr. ----, do you want to make some money?" "Why yes, that's what I am here for." "Well then, sir," producing the novelty, "how would you like the exclusive sale of this, one of the fastest-selling and most useful articles ever manufactured. I have only twenty dozen left, and some one in this town is going to have them. You can put a basket full on your counter, sir, and sell one or more to every lady visiting your store." "What do they retail at?" he asked. "Fifty cents each." "What is the wholesale price?"