"Our suits are the best in town, young man. Take this one for an even
ten dollar bill."

"I will if you'll throw in one of those half dollar caps," answered our
hero.

"Well, have your own way, but it's a sacrifice," grumbled the clerk.

He wanted to wrap up the suit, but, afraid he might substitute something
else, Joe insisted upon donning the suit then and there and likewise the
new cap. Then he had the old articles of wearing apparel done up into a
bundle and paid over the ten dollars.

"You're pretty smart after a bargain," said the clerk.

"I've got to be--when I strike such fellows as you," was the reply.

"You got a better bargain than that Irish woman did."

"I did--if the suit is all wool. But if it's cotton, I'm stuck,"
returned our hero, and with his bundle under his arm he walked from the
store.

He had left his rowboat in charge of an old boatman named Ike Fairfield,
and now he walked down to the boathouse.

"Just in time, Joe," said the old boatman. "Want to earn a dollar?"

"To be sure I do," answered our hero.