They talked the matter over a bit, and then set to work to "put their best foot forward," as Andy termed it. The window was cleaned as it had never been cleaned before, and also the show-cases and shelves, and then they proceeded to make the most elaborate display possible.
"There; that ought to attract people, if anything will," remarked Andy, when the work was finished.
"You are right; the window couldn't look better. But perhaps they will put out big price signs."
"Never mind, they can't afford to sell any cheaper than we can. I bought all the goods at bottom figures. Let us start up before they get ready."
They began to play on several instruments, and as soon as half a dozen people were collected Andy began to talk and tell jokes. Before the rival auctioneers had their stock inside of their store Matt and Andy were doing a pretty fair business.
Seeing this, Gissem & Fillow hurried up their preparations, and by noon both places were "going it for all they were worth," as Matt expressed it.
Gissem seemed to be the principal member of the firm, Fillow and the boy being merely helpers. He was a tall, thin-faced and clean-shaven man, with hard, steely-blue eyes.
"This way for bargains!" he cried out, coming out upon the sidewalk. "This way, gents and
