And so I won my manhood's spurs.

My status on the water-front and with the oyster pirates became immediately excellent.

I was looked upon as a good fellow, as well as no coward.

And somehow, from the day I achieved that concept sitting on the stringer-piece of the Oakland City Wharf, I have never cared much for money.

No one has ever considered me a miser since, while my carelessness of money is a source of anxiety and worry to some that know me.
So completely did I break with my parsimonious past that I sent word home to my mother to call in the boys of the neighbourhood and give to them all my collections.