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148 "So you do—and I pay you for the accommodation, too," retorted the farmer.

"I can sell you an album for half the money he'll charge you."

"I don't know about that," returned the farmer, with a shake of his head.

"Yes, I can. Come on over to the store and see."

"I want to watch this sale first."

By this time another person had offered a dollar and a half for the album, and Matt was hard at work trying to get a raise on this figure. But he overheard the store-keeper's words, and his face flushed with indignation. He stopped short, and pointed directly at the man.

"Will you please come forward a moment?" he asked, in a loud and clear tone.

"What—what's that?" stammered the storekeeper, taken by surprise.

"I asked you if you would please come forward."

"What for?"

"I wish to ask you by [sic]what right you have to come in here and endeavor to take away my possible customers?"

"Why, you—I ain't taken any one away."

"But you were just trying to induce that man to leave—told him you could sell him an album for half the money I would charge."