Early the next morning my prospective customer appeared.

After looking the garment over carefully, he asked me how much I wanted for it.

I told him I thought it was worth three dollars.

He seemed to agree with me as to price, but remarked in the most matter-of-fact way: "I tell you what I will do; I will take the coat, and will pay you five cents, cash down, and pay you the rest of the money just as soon as I can get it." It is not hard to imagine what my feelings were at the time.
With this disappointment I gave up all hope of getting out of the town of Hampton for my vacation work.

I wanted very much to go where I might secure work that would at least pay me enough to purchase some much-needed clothing and other necessities.