“I doubt it. If you could, folks would not flock to such an auction-sale as this. They come here because they can get things cheap—because they are not overcharged, as they are in some places—because they are told the truth about goods—because they like to see a boy get along in spite of what some mean man may do to take away his business—because they——”
But Matt could go no further. His unexpected speech brought forth a sudden applause that for the moment drowned out every other sound.
CHAPTER XX.
ACCUSED OF STEALING.
It was plain to see that the store-keeper who had thus thrust himself into the young auctioneer’s business was not in high favor with the residents of the country town. To tell the truth, the man was not liked by any one, and was only patronized by force of circumstances or through long-standing habit. He was a thoroughly mean man, and the fact that his trade had been falling off steadily for several years had not tended to sweeten his temper.
“Thet’s one on Ike Marvelling, sure!” laughed a young man near the auction stand.
“Yes, an’ Ike deserves it,” returned a woman beside him. “He has no right to come in here and abuse the boy.”
“That’s so, he ain’t,” added another woman.