I made out their case to suit the facts, as I swept down through
that region, scattering extension tables right and left. It was the
excitement, I reasoned, the inrush of population from everywhere;
probably everybody kept boarders, more every day; had to extend
their tables to seat them. I saw a great opportunity and resolutely
grasped it. If it was tables they wanted, tables it should be.
I let all the rest of the stock go and threw myself on the tables
exclusively. Town after town I filled with them. Night after night
the mails groaned under the heavy orders for extension tables I sent
north. From Allegheny City alone an order of a thousand dollars'
worth from a single reputable dealer went home, and I figured in my
note-book that night a commission of $50 for myself plus my salary.
[Illustration: "One end of the town was burning while I was canvassing
the other"]
I could know nothing of the despatches that were hot on my trail
ever since my first order came from Titusville, telling me to stop,
let up on the tables, come home, anything; there was a mistake in
the price.
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