[Illustration: "OH, THAT WILL BE ALL RIGHT!"]
We never had anything strike us any more reasonable than the statement of
Mr. McDonald, and we determined to try it. To a man who was traveling a
good deal lecturing, a saving of twenty-five cents a meal was worth
looking into, and we made up our mind to begin to economize that very
night. The train stopped and we walked across the platform as near like a
bummer as possible. With our hat on one side, we threw a cigar stub into
the parlor window, said "Hello, old tapeworm," to the landlord in a
familiar sort of way, chucked our hat into a chair; rushed into the
dining-room, took a seat at the head of the table, and told a girl to cart
out all she had got. The landlord looked at us as though he thought we
were one of Field, Leiter & Co.'s bummers, his good wife looked
frightened, as though she feared we would kick a leg off the table and
spill things. However, there is no use of describing the meal, and how we
went through brook trout and strawberry shortcake, and things. We couldn't
help feeling sorry for the man that was destined to furnish all that for
fifty cents. Finally we went out. We felt a sort of palpitation of the
heart when we approached the hungry-looking man at the door, taking the
money. He looked as though he was a sick orphan trying to save money
enough to get to a water cure.
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