THE HEN FBVBK. 185 



These were very respectable, and he would n't mind having 

 a few of these, he said. 



" What do you get for such as these ? " he inquired. 



" Twenty-five dollars each," I replied, " when I sell 

 them. But they 're all alike. You know it as well as I 

 do. They 're worth no such money. These fowls are well- 

 grown, and are in good condition ; but five or six shillings 

 each is their full 7-eal value. Still, you know when ' the ' 

 children cry for them,' why, we get a little more for 

 them." 



" Yes ; but twenty-five dollars is a thundering hum, any- 

 how, Burnum ! I can't go that! You mustn't think (if, 

 getting no such price as that out of me, you see ; 'cause 

 you know that I know what all this bosh means. I 'd like 

 that cock and those three big hens," he added, pointing to 

 four of my " best " birds. " That is," he continued, " if 

 I could have them at anything like a fair rate." 



"My dear sir," I responded; "you don't want any 

 such hum as this imposed upon you. You know, evidently, 

 what all this kind of thing signifies. But, at the same time, 

 you see I can get this price, and do get it every day in the 

 week, out of the ' flats ' that you have been speaking of. 

 I don't sell any of these things to gentlemen, who know, as 

 you do, what they are, you see." 



" Yes, yes ! " continued the stranger ; " I know ; I see. 

 I comprehend you, exa«tly — precisely. But I should 

 16* 



