"What do you call liberal?" inquired his patron, smiling.
"Fifty cents," answered Ben, promptly.
"Then I will be liberal. Now, suppose you tell me something about yourself. How long have you been a 'baggage-smasher,' as you call it?"
"Six years," said Ben.
"You must have begun young. How old are you now?"
"Sixteen."
"You'll soon be a man. What do you intend to do then?"
"I haven't thought much about it," said Ben, with truth.
"You don't mean to carry baggage all your life, do you?"
"I guess not," answered Ben. "When I get to be old and infirm, I'm goin' into some light, genteel employment, such as keepin' a street stand."