For several years I had never failed to have one of these attacks in the winter.
Realizing what to expect when the usual symptoms—chills—began to overpower me, I decided at once to make some sort of provision for my family.
I called at a butcher shop, and after ordering twenty pounds of beef-steak and getting it in my possession I asked the butcher to charge it. He said he didn't care to do business in that way. I told him I didn't care to either but——
"But," he interrupted "I don't have to do business that way."
"Well sir, I do. So you see that's the difference between you and me, and as possession is about ten points of law I guess you will do better and will no doubt get your pay more quickly if you will quietly submit to my proposition."
I then explained to him my circumstances.
He asked why I didn't explain in the first place.
I replied "because I needed the meat."
Then he asked my name and said he hoped I would be honest with him.
I next called at a grocery and gave quite an extensive order to be delivered at our room.