It was a red-letter occasion.
I pride myself as being as smart as the next one, and in a long
experience seldom come out at the small end of the horn.
But that day--it was a terrible blow to my pride.
An auction attracted me.
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I must confess that I've a sneaking liking for any stray old bargain
that may be floating around.
I've got an attic full of 'em at home in the country--send 'em down
there so my wife won't laugh at me.
However, up to this day, I don't think I've ever been as foolish about
bidding things in as Mrs. Gerrold, who got a doorplate with the name
Thompson on it, and when I asked what use it could be to her, calmly
replied:
"Life is very uncertain. Who knows, Gerrold might be taken away and I
might marry some man named Thompson, and this would come in very handy."
But I have purchased a white elephant.
You shall hear.
While prowling around in the auction room I ran across a little antique
chest.
It struck my eye as the very thing to keep my papers in, and I thought I
might squander a dollar or so for it when the time came to bid.
When I turned back the lid I found the box half-filled with packages of
papers, some of which looked like deeds.
Of course I was foolish to think of treasure-trove, for who could say
what valuable document a fellow might not unearth among these bundles!
A seedy-looking chap touched me on the arm.
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"I beg pardon," said he, "but I hope you won't bid against me on this
here chest."
"And why?" I asked, getting my back up at once.
"Because, you see, I used to be a coachman for the family, and when they
busted up they owed me a part of my wages."
"Oh, yes, and now you think there may be a bonanza for you here. Well, I
guess the track's free to all, and I've taken a fancy to that chest
myself," I said, firmly.
He shook his head and looked angry.
The box was put up the next thing.
I've often thought that queer.
That fellow hung on like a bulldog, to the extent of his little pile,
but my fighting blood was up, and if I'd been a Vanderbilt I guess I'd
have gone a thousand.