Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-11-25
ANECDoTE OF OLDEN TINE.

thrifty merchant of the last century,
possessed great deal of natural
shrewdness, together with a tact of
turning every thing to his own advan-
tage. We have heard many anecdotes
of him and among others, the follow
ing will better show off his PECULIAR
ties than a labored description. He
kept grocery store near Spring Hill,
which, like the grocery stores of that
period, was filled with a variety of no.
tons among other things he was ia
nous for the good quality of his cotton
an article which at that time was very
scarce and high. One day custo-
mer from the country drove up, and
inquired the price Of cotton.
"Three and sixpence per pound, "
replied Mr.. s..
"Weigh me dozen pounds" says
the countryman,at the same time step
ping into the store with a large bag to
put it in.
Now it happened there was a small
lot Of good cheese near the spot, and
the countryman, though right from the
land of milk and honey, could not re-
sist the propensity to crib one Of them.
He accordingly took one up, and af
ter looking about to see that none were
observing him, slid it into his bag.
which he Immediately tied up, and pa
tiently awaited the return of Mr..
S., who soon after came out and
presented the bill, which the country
man paid.
Now Mr.. S--was' one Of the
most polite meu of the age, and more
over bis quick eye had detected the alb
duction Of the che csc. He was at no
loss to account for lis disappearance,
and Instantly prepared himself to act as
circumstances may require. The
countryman, after one or two unimpor-
tant observations, was preparing to de-
part. S., who we before OBJ
served was excessively polite, would
by no means suffer him carry his owl
bundle, but offered his services, and al
the same time took up the bag to carry
1t out. He had proceeded nearly tC
the door of his shop when he stopped
"This bag is very heavy mus
have made a mistake in the weight o
the cotton"
'I-I-Iguess not" said the coun
lryman.
"But I have certainly" says s.
| can hardly carry It; we must weigh
again"
BY this time S-had brough
it back to the counter and was prepar
ing to unite it. Here was a dilemma
| 1.-THE bag was united the theft woul
be discovered, and if weighed as if
was, It would be paying montrousl
high for the cheese. The country
man hem'd and had, and scratched hi
head, but without getting out Of tn
difficulty. To complete his constel
nation, at that moment, another perso
entered-this decided him, and alte
drawing long breath, he stammere
out
"Mr. s., don't trouble your
sslfto unite the bag il weighs just
pound, I've weighed it hundre
times"
ono consequences" said s.
and he put the whole into the scale:
81 knew must have made mistake
1t weighs thirty eight pounds-bIock
r head am. Let me see, Twelve th;
you paid for, and one for the bag
,hirteen-thirteen from thirty-eigl
leaves twenty-fve.---Twenty-fiv lbs
, at IS. Cd, IS "a rs. Cd. Wait me
, ment, | will make another bill"
, The countryman did wait, receive
, his bill and paid ga Is. Cd for hi
cheese. He then flung the bag int
the wagon: jumped in and drove of
with face glowing like ignited char
coal. Mr.. S-rcmained in the doc
until he had bowed his customer OF
OF sight then turning round, he COO
ly observed to the person within:
"Our friend there has fine horse
how fast he trots."
The following definition ofLoco foe
L I