While standing thus, he noticed at the farther end of the square a crowd of people, and walked towards them.  On a platform stood a red-faced, burly auctioneer, with a straw hat and a loud voice, who was arguing with some one in the crowd of expectant buyers the impossibility of proceeding with the sale without a clerk to aid him.  He was in the heat of the discussion, when his eye fell upon the intelligent face and fragile form of young Douglas, to whom he beckoned,—­when the following dialogue ensued.

Auctioneer.  I say, boy, you look like you’re smart; can you figure?

Douglas.  I can, Sir.

Auctioneer.  Will a couple of dollars a day hire you, till we finish this sale?

Douglas.  And board?

At which reply the crowd laughed, and the auctioneer, who thought he had found a treasure, said,—­

“Yes, and board; tumble up and go to work.”

Whereupon, Douglas, whose legs were weak, whose stomach was empty, and whose head fairly ached with nervous excitement, mounted the platform, began his work as deputy-auctioneer, and laid the foundations of a popularity in that section which increased with his years and strengthened with his success.  The sale for which he was hired continued three days, and attracted the residents of the place and the farmers from the neighboring towns, all of whom were favorably impressed by the bright look, the quick, earnest manner, the frequent humorous remarks, and the unvarying courtesy of the young clerk.  In the evenings, when gathered about the huge iron stove in the bar-room of the hotel, and the doings, good or bad, of “Old Hickory” were the theme of discussion, one and all sat quiet, listening with admiration, if not with conviction, to the conversation of the youthful politician, who at that time was a great admirer of General Jackson.

With the same tact and adaptability to circumstances which were characteristic of him through life, Douglas determined to make use of these people; and so dexterously did he manage, that, before he had been with them a week, he had produced upon their minds the impression that he was of all men the best suited to teach their district school the ensuing winter.  He dined with the minister, rode out with the doctor, and took tea with the old ladies.  He talked politics with the farmers, recounted adventures to the young men, and, if my informant is trustworthy, was in no way shy of the young ladies.  The zeal with which he sang on Sunday, and the marked attention which he paid to the sermonizings of the dominic, advanced him so far in the affections of the honest people of that rural town, that, had he asked their wealth, their prayers, or their votes, he would have had no difficulty in obtaining them.