Part 22 (2/2)
”Phew! but that was a narrow escape!” gasped Matt, to hiave Billy another tap ”I suppose I ought to be thankful that I was not robbed of everything in h to do alone on soon to see if he was being pursued But the tramps had dee auctioneer had the road to hie appeared in sight At the first place the young auctioneer asked for directions to the hotel, and here he had the wagon and horse safely stabled, and then went to the rooe every article of clothing he wore
He had ordered a hot meal to be served, and when he caht in the shower, eh?” questioned the hotel-keeper, as Matt sat down
”Yes, indeed,” returned the boy, and he related the particulars of his adventures while eating, not forgetting to mention the three tra folks around here for quite a bit,” remarked the hotel-keeper after he had finished ”The constable is after 'em now, but I don't think he'll catch 'em, for they slide around from place to place You can bet on it that they are miles away from that shanty by this tiain,” returned Matt with a slight shudder
”Going to hold an auction?” went on the hotel-keeper curiously
”That's what I expect to do I would like to find soood spot
Where would be the best place for ht for a moment
”Well, most of the folks coeneral stores But I reckon the store-keepers won't like you around ot toas well as they”
”That's true Tell you what you ht do There's the old paint-shop next door You can use that for an auction place if you are a mind to be liberal for the use of it,” said the hotel-keeper
As soon as he had finished Matt went out and inspected the old paint-shop He found it would do very well for his purpose, and on returning offered the hotel-keeper a good pocket-knife for its use for the following day This offer was at once accepted, and Matt set to ithout delay to get the place into shape
By nightfall he was ready for business In the meantime, he had sent a couple of shborhood to notify the folks of the sale, and as a consequence, by eight o'clock he had the shop quite coht return on the late evening train, Matt started up business, and inside of half an hour had oods which the folks appeared to need, and they sold readily, ular stores, who ca on
”Huh for all to hear ”What does he know about the goods he is selling? Like as not they are second-handed, and all shop-worn”
”These goods are strictly new, and of the latest designs,” called out Matt, looking squarely at the man ”They are direct froh Bridge at the price at which I aentleant family album, bound in plush, with sliver-plated clasps?”
”One dollar!” called a rustic, standing close at hand
”A dollar and a quarter!” shouted a farht to buy your things of eneral store to the latter bidder ”I trust you till the money for crops comes in”
”So you do--and I pay you for the accommodation, too,” retorted the farmer
”I can sell you an albue you”
”I don't know about that,” returned the farmer, with a shake of his head
”Yes, I can Come on over to the store and see”