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THE CLIMACTERIC
195
Though I look old, yet I am strong and lusty;
For in my youth I never did apply
Hot and rebellious liquors in my blood:
Nor did not with unbashful forehead woo
The means of weakness and debility.
—Orison Swett Marden (?)

"Before you call Mr. Foster," said the secretary, "Mr. Schmaltz of the Pullman Company is here to see you; he arrived just before you came in. He says he wants to place a large order for the cuspidorados."

"Send him in," said Mr. Veal, chuckling.

"Hello, Schmaltz," he cried, as the customer entered. "How's this for weather?"

"Great stuff!" said Schmaltz. "Makes us old fellows feel almost young again, doesn't it?"

Mr. Veal's face grew dark. He aged ten years in the instant. He pointed morosely to a chair.

"Mr. Veal," said the other, "we want to place an order for ten thousand of the cuspidorados. Can you give us the old price?"

"I can not," said Mr. Veal, shortly. "Materials have gone to the sky. I can't give you the—the old price. I'll give you a young price, a very young one indeed, based on the present state of the market. Eighteen and a quarter cents is the best I can do."

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