The Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii) 1840-1841, 1841-01-23

secure even from Il ino!ncnlhrY DTcatll Oh
suspicion. He lancied he felt generous
as well as &lal, and determined that it
should be cash transaction.
" How much is to pay, Amos = said
he, thrusting his hand into his pocket.
Five dollars. sir, sail Sparks.
" Five dollars why, you are mad you
have not been five minutes doing the job.
Come" ('hc genuine spirit of traffic over
coming the better feelings which had mo-
mcnlary possession OF his bosom,) Ell
give YOU five shiI!ings.'
1T is true replied the locksmith.
" that much tme has not been employed:
but remember how many long years have
been learning to do such Il job in five min
utcs, or even to Go it at all. A doctors
visit may last bat one minutc-thc ser
vice lie renders may be but doubtful when
donc-and yet his fee would be as great
if.Iot greater than mine. You should he
willing to purchase my skill, humble as it
may be, as you would purchase any other
commodity, by what it is worth to you.
Worth to me- said the merchant,
with a snccr '.weii, think it was worth
five shllings: | could have gotta new key
made for that, or perhaps might have
found the old one"
"s}ut could YOU have rot the one made or
found the ether, in time to retrieve your notes
at the bank. Had been disposed to wrong
you, taking advantage Of your haste and PEI
pleXi:y, might have bargaiucd ior Il much
larger sum, and as there Is not another man
in the city who could have opened the chest
you would gladly have given me double the
amount | now claim"
''DOub!c the amount! why the man 5
fool! Here are the five shilings," SAID the
merchant, holding them in his hand, with the
AIR of IA man taking advantage of IL poor one
who could not help himself; "and if you do
not choose to take them You may sue as soon
as you please, for my time is too precious
just now to spend in a matter so triiling"
IL never sued a man in my life" said
Sparks; "and have lost much by my for
bcarancc. But" added he, the troldcn
worm of Il meek spirit beginning to recoil, |
''you are rich-arc able to pay; and although
Will not sue You, pay you shall. "
The words, were scarcely spoke, when he .
dashed down the lid of the chest, and in a
moment the strong staples were firmly clasp
ed by the bolts below, and the gold and bank |
notes were hidden as ehcctually as though
they had vanished like the iil-gotten boards
OF the fairy tale.
The merchant stood aghast. He looked
at Amos, and then dartcd Il glance at the |
clock; the hand was within twenty minutes
Of thee and seemed posting oyer the figures
with the speed of light What was to be !
done? AT first he tried to bully, but it would
not do. Amos told him if he had sustained
any injury, she might sue as soon as he .
pleased, for that his time was too precious
just now to be wasted in triNing affairs" and
with face Of unrutllcd composure, he TUNED
on his heel and was leaving the Office.
The merchant called him back; he had no
alternative, his credit was at stake ,-half
the city would swear that he had lost the KEY
to gain time, and because there was no mo-
ncy in the chest: he was humblcd by the
necessity of the case, and, handing forth the
five dollars, 'there, Sparks, said he, "takc
your money, and let US have no more words.
81 must have ten dollars now,' rcplicd
the locksnith; "you would have taken adj
vantage of a poor man. and. besides opening
your strong box there, have a lesson to
give You VIII ch is well worth trinmg sum.
You would net only have deprived me of,
what had been fairly earned but have tenn