Once he sold a Calf to the Butcher, several Hours after the Calf had
been struck by Lightning. As for ordering Goods and having them charged
to his Father, that was one of the Slickest Things he ever did.

About the time the Joker was old enough to leave Home, he traveled out
through the Country selling Bulgarian Oats to the Farmers. When the
Contract for the Seed Oats got around to the Bank, it proved to be an
iron-clad and double-riveted Promissory Note. The Farmer always tried to
get out of Paying it, but when the Case came to Trial and the Jurors
heard how the Agent palavered the Hay-Seed they had to Snicker right out
in Court. They always gave Judgment for the Practical Joker, who would
take them out and buy Cigars for them, and they would hit him on the
Back and tell him he was a Case.

One Day the Joker had an Inspiration, and he had to tell it to a Friend,
who also was something of a Wag.

They bought a Cat-Tail Swamp remote from Civilization and divided it
into Building Lots. The Marsh was Advertised as a Manufacturing Suburb,
and they had side-splitting Circulars showing the Opera House, the Drill
Factory, Public Library, and the Congregational Church. Lots were sold
on the Instalment Plan to Widows, Cash-Boys, and Shirt-Factory Girls who
wanted to get Rich in from fifteen to twenty Minutes.

The Joker had a Lump of Bills in every Pocket. If asked how he made his
Roll, he would start to Tell, and then he would Choke Up, he was so full
of Laugh. He certainly had a Sunny Disposition.

[Illustration: MANUFACTURING SUBURB]