“Three dollars I have; who is generous enough to bring it up to four?
“Yes; there is a smart man over yonder, who knows a good thing when he sees it. Four dollars I have, at four, at four, at four; who’ll make it five? who’ll make it five?
“Remember, gentlemen, this is a genuine, all wool, imported English worsted, that cost twenty-six dollars, and was price-marked thirty-five. We guarantee a fit if you are near the size, or refund the money. Do I hear the five? Will you give the five. Who’ll say the five? Will you make the five, at four, at four, at four and going, going—going at four. At four, at four, at four—did I hear the five? Holy smoke. What’s the matter with this town? Do you want a man to stand up here and yell his lungs out for a dollar? Why, I’m twenty-two dollars in the hole, now, as it stands. Do you expect me to get up here and sell you twenty dollar gold pieces for the small sum of ten cents?
“It’s a crying shame for you to stand here and let a thirty-five dollar suit of clothes go for four dollars. Why, it’s worth more than that for an every-day, knock-around business outfit, to say nothing of the fact that it’s all right for dress occasions. What, four fifty do I hear? No, sir; I don’t take a half dollar bid at this stage of the proceedings. If you’ll raise it fifty cents I’ll cry your bid. All right. Thank you, sir. Five I have; now, who’ll give me six?
“Look here gentlemen, I am willing to sacrifice the stock, but I hate to be compelled to actually give it away. Why, it would be a shame to the town to sell a suit like that for five dollars. Some of you fellows down there, with ruffles on your pants, can’t you make it six? And if you’re not satisfied after wearing it five years come back and I’ll make you a present of one hundred dollars.
“I can’t dwell all day on a single article; so, be lively with your bids, or I’ll knock it down before you can wink. At five, at five, at five, at five, at five, at five—will you give me the six?
“No? Five once, five twice, five third and last go—did I hear the six?
“At last. Just in time; so, six I have; at six, at six, at six. Come along with your little bids now. I hear six and a half. Who’ll make it seven? I tell you, gentlemen, in after years this sacrifice may cause me to shed many a bitter tear, but like the great majority it has got to go, unless some fair-minded person makes it seven. Six fifty? Six fifty? Will no one raise it fifty? Six dollars fifty, once. Six dollars fifty, twice. Six fifty, third and last call, and sold—to that gentleman there under the gas light, and a mighty good bargain.”
This was a good sale all around, and after this suit was sold I felt more than ever confident, and was ready for whatever came next. I went on:
“Now, then, gentlemen, don’t be impatient. There is plenty more clothing, but I really must protect my own interests a little bit. When I said I was going to sell this stock regardless of cost or value I didn’t mean I would give away the picked lots and throw in a chromo to have you take them. I know, when you get your eyes open, you’ll meet me half way; and here is an eye-opener, and the expense will neither make nor break you.