I am offered three
thousand--three thousand--three thousand--going at three thousand! Did I
hear a bid? No, it must have been the wind whistling through the trees."
At this sally a laugh came up from the crowd. "Going at three
thousand--going--going--going--gone at three thousand to--"
"Mr. Hiram Maxwell!" came from the score of voices.
"Gone at three thousand to Mr. Hiram Maxwell!" said the auctioneer, as
he brought down his hammer heavily upon the barrel head with such force
that it fell in, and, losing his hold upon the hammer, that dropped in
also. This slight accident caused a great laugh among the crowd.
The auctioneer continued, "According to the terms of the sale, five
hundred dollars in cash must be paid down to bind the bargain, and the
balance must be paid within three days in endorsed notes satisfactory to
the present owner."
Quincy and Hiram alighted from the Pettengill team and advanced towards
the auctioneer. Reaching the platform, Quincy took from his pocket a
large wallet and passed a pile of bills to the auctioneer.
"Make out a receipt, please," he said to Mr.
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