| CHAPTER. | PAGE | |
| I. | Matt Attends a Sale | [5] |
| II. | A Lively Discussion | [12] |
| III. | Something of the Past | [19] |
| IV. | An Interesting Proposition | [26] |
| V. | Matt Is Discharged | [33] |
| VI. | A Business Partnership | [40] |
| VII. | Getting Ready to Start | [47] |
| VIII. | An Unexpected Set-Back | [53] |
| IX. | The Result of a Fire | [60] |
| X. | On the Road at Last | [68] |
| XI. | Harsh Treatment | [77] |
| XII. | Matt Stands up for Himself | [84] |
| XIII. | The Corn Salve Doctor | [92] |
| XIV. | The Young Auctioneer | [100] |
| XV. | The Charms of Music | [108] |
| XVI. | The Confidence Man | [116] |
| XVII. | The Storm | [124] |
| XVIII. | A Hold Up | [132] |
| XIX. | Out of a Bad Scrape | [141] |
| XX. | Accused of Stealing | [150] |
| XXI. | The Tell-Tale Cap | [157] |
| XXII. | The Shanty in the Woods | [165] |
| XXIII. | Something is Missing | [173] |
| XXIV. | Along the River | [181] |
| XXV. | A Bitter Mistake | [189] |
| XXVI. | Something of a Surprise | [197] |
| XXVII. | Timely Assistance | [205] |
| XXVIII. | Back to the Village | [213] |
| XXIX. | Undesirable Customers | [220] |
| XXX. | A Dash from Danger | [229] |
| XXXI. | Dangerous Mountain Travelling | [238] |
| XXXII. | An Interesting Letter | [245] |
| XXXIII. | The Rival Auctioneers | [252] |
| XXXIV. | Matt Speaks His Mind | [260] |
| XXXV. | Tom Inwold | [268] |
| XXXVI. | Lost in the Snow | [277] |
| XXXVII. | More of Auction Life | [284] |
| XXXVIII. | A Surprising Discovery | [291] |
| XXXIX. | A Mystery Cleared Up | [298] |
| XL. | The Mining Shares | [304] |
PREFACE.
“The Young Auctioneers” forms the initial volume of a line of juvenile stories called “The Working Upward Series.”
The tale is complete in itself, and tells of the adventures of a homeless, although not a penniless youth, who strikes up an acquaintanceship with another young fellow experienced as an auctioneer. The two purchase a horse and wagon, stock up with goods, and take to the road. The partners pass through a number of more or less trying experiences, and the younger lad is continually on the lookout for his father, who has broken out of an asylum while partly deranged in mind over the loss of his wife and his fortune.
I have endeavored in this tale to give a faithful picture of life among a certain class of traveling salesmen who are but little known to the world at large, especially to those who inhabit our large cities. In country places the traveling auctioneer is looked for as a matter of course, and he is treated according to the humor of the inhabitants, or rather, according to the merits or demerits of the “bargains” offered on a previous trip.
I sincerely trust that my numerous boy readers will find the tale to their liking, and that the moral—to lead an upright, honest life under any and all circumstances—will not escape them.
Edward Stratemeyer.