Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1845-05-24
From the Portland Tribune.
THE OLD BUREAU.
CHAPTER I.
Where'er a single human breast
Is crushed by pain and grief,
There would ever be guest,
And sweetly bring relief.

As we were passing down Exchange
street several years ago, we stopped in
front of an auction room to examine the
various articles that were exposed to be
sold under the hammer. We had been
there but few moments, when we heard a
female voice inquiring, is this old bureau
to be sold to-dayP On looking up, we
perceived the question had been addressed
to us, by a young lady, whose sad but
pleasant countenance struck US at once.
We replied that all the articles spread on
the side walk would be disposed of to the
highest bidder.
81 should like this bureau, if it goes low
enough" she said, pointing to an old fash
Toned article that was standing among the
other furniture; "but | never bought any
thing at auction in my life, and see no
woman here, don't know as it would be
proper for me to bid"
at would be perfectly proper" we re-
marked; "but if you wish it, l will bid off
the bureau"
"If you will, sir, shall be greatly
obliged to you"
"How Oh are you willing should go!"
81 don't know exactly how much it is
worth; but if it sells for three or four dol
lars, you may buy it,"
"Shal speak to hand-cartman to leave
it at your housed"
"No sir, will call at noon and settle for
it, and take it away. am very much
obliged to you for your kindness"
So saying, the young lady went away,
leaving US to wonder who she was, and of
what use the old piece of furniture could
be to her. We examined it-took out the
drawers-but saw nothing remarkable
about it. At eleven o'clock, when the auc-
ton commenced, we were present, and
remarked. we will now sell the bureau.
What will you give gentlemen One man
offered two dollars, another three, and we
bid half dollar more. Four dollars were
bd-four and half, and five dollars. We
were aslonshed that the old thing should
bring so high price. What could we do!
See it sold and dsappoint the lady! The
thought struck US, that it might have be-
longed to some friend, and she wished to
purchase it on that account, and rather
than disappoint her, we resolved to bid
again. Six dollars were offered by another
to our utter establishment; but when our
hand is in, we seldom let another out. bic
US. and so we offered, until The bureau wa;
run mp to ten doIlars--and we purchased il
for half a dollar more. Certainly we
would not have given four dollars for it. Il
use ourself. However. we bought it, and
had it sent to our room, telling the auction.
eer, if a lady should call for it to inform
her where it might be found. We exam
ined it again and again and began to regre
our purchase, feeling almost certain tina
the young woman would not thank us fo
what we had done; but we never mourn
over a bad bargain. Our philosophy vii
not permit US to do so.
A little after dusk, as we were sitting il
our sanctum, the young lady came in wit
an apology for inlruding, and remarked
You bought the bureau-so the auction
eer informs me-"
Yes, bought it an extravagant price,
assure you"
What did you give!"
"Ten dollars and half"
"You astonish me. What can | dol
l had no idea that il would bring over thre
: or four dollars, and am not prepared I
, pay for il to night"
Il suppose it was foolish in me to Civ
so much for it; but presumed you wante
: il very much"
+ al did, sir, and would not value payin
7 double the amount for the bureau, if
were able, rather than not have it,"
$50 apprehended. Perhaps it ma
have belonged to some friend of yours"
+ "Yes, sir, that bureau was once II
q mother's-and noticed tear come in h
), eye, which she endeavored to conceal-'b
i she is dead now, and l wished to keep it
q remembrance of her."
. Thinkinn the lahv mint he moor u