"Then why in the old Harry don't you go and have dinner?
They set up some good meals at the first-class hotels in this town.
"Ah! do they? Now commercial travellers have told me that they can't get a decent meal in the city. I'll halve the difference with you. Make it five cents, boss."
"I can't keep myself in lager and so don't intend to try to supply with beer any tramp that comes along."
The fellow coolly came in and sat down.
"I see you are mistaken in my character. I have never tasted a drop of liquor in my life. I was at one time in one of the best wholesale houses in this town, but was ruined by my desire for improvement. I was often warned that I was taking the wrong course; but, alas! I did not see my error until it was too late. Most of my comrades used to take a glass of beer now and then, and go to the baseball games, and be out nights, but I stuck to study, and you see what I am."
I was a little bewildered at this. It seemed to be reversing the preconceived ideas I had on the subject, and I weakly allowed the fellow to proceed.
"Yes, I am now an awful example of the terrible folly of taking a wrong course. My beer-drinking companions are pointed to as model citizens, while I am practically a tramp."
"How did it happen?"
"Well, the finishing stroke was the memory lessons. I had naturally a good memory, and my firm told me that if I learned to speak French they would send me to Paris as their agent there. I pitched into French and was advised to take memory lessons, as that was a great help in acquiring a language."
"And was it?" "In a way—yes. You know how they strengthen the memory, I suppose?"
"No. Never heard it could be done."
"Well, the first thing they do they make you swear an awful oath you will never divulge any of the methods, and then you will have to sign a bond to that effect with a heavy penalty attached."
"Then if I were you I would not tell anything about it. I don't care to know."
"Oh, that's all right. I can plead that I have forgotten all about the oath. That is one of the benefits of the memory system. You can forget anything so easily. Yes, sir. Now if you were to lend me five dollars I would very likely forget all about it before tomorrow." "You astonish me."
"It's quite true. In that way the system is very valuable. Now to show you how the thing works. My girl's name———"
"Oh, you have a girl, then?"
"Had, my dear fellow; had"
"Excuse me, if I have brought up sad recollections,"
"It don't matter in the least, I assure you. You see I can forget it right away."
