Page:The Young Auctioneers.djvu/163

Rh the late evening train, Matt started up business, and inside of half an hour had matters in full swing. He opened up with a lot of goods which the folks appeared to need, and they sold readily, much to the disgust of one of the proprietors of the regular stores, who came over to see what was going on.

"Humph! it's only a boy!" he muttered, but loud enough for all to hear. "What does he know about the goods he is selling? Like as not they are second-handed, and all shop-worn."

"These goods are strictly new, and of the latest designs," called out Matt, looking squarely at the man. "They are direct from New York, and I venture to say cannot be duplicated in High Bridge at the price at which I am knocking them down for. Now, ladies and gentlemen, what am I offered for this elegant family album, bound in plush, with sliver-plated clasps?"

"One dollar!" called a rustic, standing close at hand.

"A dollar and a quarter!" shouted a farmer near the door.

"See here, Podders, you ought to buy your things of me," whispered the keeper of the general store to the latter bidder. "I trust you till the money for crops comes in."