The gregarious young entrepreneur usually cleared $2,500 \u2013 that\u2019s the equivalent of $57,000 in modern currency \u2013 on each county fair. His profit margin hovered around 92 percent. How did he do it? By selling cheap cigars \u2014 wrapped in an expensive story. (Portland, Multnomah and Washington County; 1870s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1912a.abe-tichner-frontier-portland-hustler.html)