"Well, I am surprised, landlord; but I supposed you were a good enough judge of character to know the difference between a gentleman and a dead beat."
I assured him that I didn't doubt his honesty, but I was willing to wager that he hadn't money enough to pay one week in advance. And as it took money to keep things running and——
"And buy cream biscuit," shouted the Doctor,——
—— I had got to have my pay in advance.
He then acknowledged that he was a little short, but would probably be able to pay the next day. I told him he could have his supper, lodging and breakfast, but nothing more.
The next morning they both came to me and owned up that they were "broke."
I then hired one of them for hostler and the other for clerk.
About this time I succeeded in getting the landlady's consent to re-model a part of the house. She said she didn't care to be bothered with it, nor to remain there and listen to the noise; so she would go and visit her friends in Detroit, and leave me to fix things to suit myself. She said also she had all confidence in me, and felt certain I would do even better than she could.
Before leaving, she instructed me to go ahead and get what I wanted, as her credit was good anywhere.