I then carried our pail of varnish into the house and paid her liberally for the bottles.
I called at every house thereafter, and never missed making a sale till the eighth was reached, when the old lady declared emphatically that she didn't have fifty cents in the house.
Then I asked if she had any eggs. She said she had.
"Very well; I'll allow you twenty cents per dozen for them, but you must give me an old box of some kind to put them in."
She was anxious to trade, and when I started off with two and one-half dozen, she said she believed I might have the other five dozen if I'd give her two more bottles. I accommodated her, and as I left she said she was sorry John hadn't gathered the eggs the night before, so she could let me have more of them, as I was paying more than they had been getting.
I told her I'd wait while she gathered them.
She started to do so, but suddenly changed her mind, saying she thought I had sold her enough of my patent staff, anyhow.
When I rejoined my new partner and friend he was delighted, and asked why I didn't trade for the chickens.
We met with flattering success, making frequent trades as well as many cash sales. Among other trades was one I made with a lady for a sheep-pelt. Although I had not dealt in them since my early experience, I ventured to make an offer of one bottle of my preparation, which was accepted.