Salisbury 
bar of the hotel was to be found every sort and 
condition of man who had come in for a drink 
and chat, or was merely on the prowl. You 
ordered drinks, but were not asked to pay cash 
for same. Of course, they did not refuse to take 
the coin of the realm, but it was the custom to 
sign a “ Good for,” or piece of paper with your 
name. These were ultimately totalled in a bill 
for the whole amount, covering perhaps a week 
or a month, according as your credit was at 
high or low water. I found my little batch 
embodied in my weekly bill at the hotel. This 
system saved trouble and time to the bar tender, 
and was, I take it, of considerable assistance to 
some of the men who were habitually “ stony- 
broke,” but who paid when they could. It seems 
that ready cash is not always the best form of 
exchange in a business such as this; a man will 
often drink more or give away more if he is not 
asked to weigh in at once with the “ ready.” 
A man, even if he knew no trade, could easily 
earn his ten shillings a day, whilst a mechanic 
or mason, or one who knew his particular trade 
well, could earn twice this amount, but it must 
be remembered that the cost of living was 
correspondingly high, so that little, if any, money 
was to be saved. At the time I speak of all 
stores had to be transported from the nearest rail- 
head in ox-waggons. The freighters charged, and 
made, good money, but the stuff was a long 
89 
