An old gentleman across the table from me then said that he had a recipe for making a furniture and piano polish that was immense. He said it would leave a beautiful hard lustre, was not sticky or gummy to the fingers, and would remove all white stains from furniture, and become perfectly dry in less than one minute from the time it was applied. "Well, sir," I said, "I am looking for some thing of that kind, and----" "Very well," he interrupted; "it will cost you twenty-five dollars." I said: "I'll you five dollars before testing it." "No, sir; not one dollar less than my price." But he would make up a small bottle, and show me how it worked. He did so, and I was at once convinced. I then dickered a while with him, and after satisfying myself that I could buy it for no less than his price, purchased it; and have always considered it a good investment. An Incorporated Manufacturing Company of this city now use the same recipe, supplying agents in all parts of the country. I immediately visited Elmore, where my wife and boy still remained. After paying their board and a doctor's bill for the boy, I took a run down to Clyde, arriving there "broke." I had a long talk with my folks, and explained "just how it all happened." My mother said she thought I had made a splendid record for a boy with a family. Mr. Keefer said, "It did beat the devil." CHAPTER XVIII. MR. KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE. I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together. I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right. She said she was glad to hear that, as it had worried her night and day during the whole time I was in that business. I then suggested that she loan me money enough to invest in a few bottles of polish. "Not one cent, sir." "Well," said I, "it won't take but about--" "No matter," she interrupted, "if it won't take but ten cents you will not get it from me. You have had the last cent from us you will ever get." I remarked that I was sorry pa had gone away. She said it wouldn't matter, anyhow, for she had laid down the law to him, and he would never let me have another dollar. "Well," I asked, "won't you give me money enough to get out of town?" "No, sir; if five cents would take you to California, you should walk it before I'd give you that amount." I then asked if she didn't think I was getting in rather close quarters? "Well," she exclaimed, "you have always been determined to 'hus'le,' so now keep 'hus'ling.'"