I made some laughing allusion to pig-headed customers, and the clerk
at once opened up on the "fool" who thought one cartridge was better
than another. When the young man was back at his stove I started out
to sell Tucker a bill. He was backward about buying; didn't know our
house; always bought of Simmons; did not like to have so many bills;
always got favors from Simmons, and despised our city on general
principles.

I agreed with him on every point, but (Oh! these "buts") I also wanted
an order. I took out my bull-dog revolver that was selling at $2.85;
he had none like it in stock; it was the leading pistol, retailing
readily at $4 to $5, according to locality. "I want to send you a few
of these at a special net price," said I; "the regular price is $3; I
will sell you at $2.85." I said this as if I was making him a present
of a gold watch. "I wouldn't have the d--n things as a gift," said he.




CHAPTER III.


When a man has been on the road a year or two he is never disappointed
because a dealer refuses to buy something he was sure he was going to
sell him. He is prepared for "No" on all occasions rather than for
"Yes." But a man is terribly disappointed on his first trip every time
he starts out to sell a particular article and does not meet with
success. I was sure Tucker would give me an order for some bull-dog
revolvers, but in answer to my low price he had said he wouldn't take
them as a gift!