Of course, it was of the best material and workmanship.
"What is bid for this superior sofa, made by--," went on the salesman,--"Seventy dollars--sixty-five--sixty-fifty--five-fifty-- forty-five--forty--thirty-five--thirty." "Twenty-five dollars," said a timid voice.
"Twenty-five! Twenty-five!" cried the auctioneer.
"Twenty-six," said I.
The first bidder advanced a dollar on this; then I bid twenty-eight; he went up to twenty-nine, and I made it thirty, at which offer the sofa was knocked down to me.
"That's a bargain, and no mistake," said the salesman.

"It is worth fifty dollars, if it's worth a cent." "I'll give you five dollars advance," proposed a lady by my side, who had desired to bid, but could not bring up her courage to the point.
"No, thank you," was my prompt answer.

I was too well pleased with my bargain.
When Mr.Smith came home to dinner on that day, I met him in the parlor.
"What do you think of this ?" said I, pointing to the new sofa.

I spoke in an exultant voice.
"Where in the world did it come from ?" enquired Mr.Smith, evincing a natural surprise.
"I bought it," was my reply.
"When?
where ?" "This morning, at auction." "At auction!" "Yes; and it's a bargain.

Now guess what I gave for it ?" "Ten dollars ?" "Now Mr.Smith! But come; be serious.