It is a wise thing often to carry one of these little fellows.

One never knows." "In case of a quarrel with another gentleman ?" "Oh, they are hardly such as we sell for dueling, sir." "Aren't they ?" "They are rather pocket pistols--to carry if you are out at night; and we sell many to gentlemen who have occasion in the way of their business to carry large sums of money or valuables about with them.

They give a sense of security, sir, even if no occasion arises for their use." "And this gentleman bought two?
Who was he ?" "I don't know, sir.

He gave me no name." "And you didn't know him by sight ?" "No, sir; perhaps he is a stranger.

But indeed I'm almost that myself: I have but just set up business here." "Is it brisk ?" I asked, examining the pistol.
"It is not a brisk place, sir," the man answered regretfully.