"I'll give you five dollars advance," proposed a lady by my side, who had desired to bid, but could not bring up her courage to the point.
"No, thank you," was my prompt answer. I was too well pleased with my bargain.
When Mr. Smith came home to dinner on that day, I met him in the parlor.
"What do you think of this?" said I, pointing to the new sofa. I spoke in an exultant voice.
"Where in the world did it come from?" enquired Mr. Smith, evincing a natural surprise.
"I bought it," was my reply.
"When? where?"
"This morning, at auction."
"At auction!"
"Yes; and it's a bargain. Now guess what I gave for it?"