"
Suddenly a voice from the rear of the crowd called out, "T-o-o-t-o to
to-oo-two thousand!"
As if by magic, every head was turned, for the majority of those in the
crowd recognized the voice at once. There was but one man in Mason's
Corner who stammered, and that man was Hiram Maxwell.
They turned, and all saw seated in the Pettengill team Hiram Maxwell,
and beside him sat Mr. Sawyer from Boston.
"Oh, that's more like it," said the auctioneer. "Competition is the life
of trade, and is particularly pleasing to an auctioneer. The first
gentleman who bid now sees that there is another gentleman who has a
better knowledge of the value of this fine property than he has evinced
up to the present moment. There is still an opportunity for him to see
the error of his ways, and put himself on record as being an observing
and intelligent person."
All eyes were turned upon Strout at these words from the auctioneer; his
face reddened, and he called out, "Twenty-five hundred!"
"Still better," cried the auctioneer; "the gentleman, as I supposed, has
shown that he is a person of discernment; he did not imagine that I was
engaged simply to make a present of this fine establishment to any one
who would offer any sum that suited his convenience for it.
Pages:
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404