Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1845-06-05
From the Portland Tribune
The Old Bureau.

BY d. c. coLESwoRTHY.
CHAPTER
Where'er single human breast
lscrushed by pain and grief,
There would ever be guest,
And swee'ly 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 female voice inquiring. "s this old
bureau to be sold o-day?" On looking up, we
perceived The question had been addressed to
US, by young lady, whose sad bu, pleasant,
counienance struck US a, once. We replied
thai all the articles spread on the side walk
would be disposed of to the highes. bidder.
Il should like this bureau, if it goes low
enough" she said, pointing TO an old fashioned
article 'ha. was standing among the other fur
niure; " but never bought any thing al auc
ton in my life, and see no woman here,
don't know as it would be proper for me 10 bid"
1t would be perfectly proper" We remark
ed F" but if you wish il. will bid off the bu-
reau"
"If you will, sir. shall be greatly obliged
10 you"
" How high are you willing should go !"
8" don't know exactly how much il is worth !;
but if it sells for three or four dollars, you may
buy it,"
Shall speak TO hand-car,man 10 leave it
at your house ?"
"No sir, will call at noon and settle for il,
and take ii away. | am very much obliged 10
you for your kindness"
So saying The young lady wen, away, leav-
ing Us to wonder who she was, and of what use
The old piece of furniture could be TO her. We
examined il-,ook out lhe drawers-bu, saw
noibng remarkable about it. Al eleven o'clock,
when the auction commenced, we were pres
eni and after waiting nearly an hour, The auc-
lioneer remarked, We will now sell The bu-
reau. What will you give, gen,lemen!" One
man offered two dollars. another three, and we
bid half dollar more -Four dollars weIe bid
-four and half, and five dollars. We were
astonished that the old thing should bring so
high plice. What could we do! See it sold
and disappon, the lady The .hought struck
US, tha, i, might have belonged 10 some friend.
and she wished TO purchase il on tha, account,
and rather than disappoin, her, We resolved 10
bid again. Six dollars were offered by another,
10 our utter as,onshment /; bu, when our hand
is in, we seldom lie, another out-bid US, and so
we offered, until The bureau was run up TO len
doliars--and we purchased il for half dollar
more. Certainly We would not have given four
dollars for it, to use ourself. However, we
bought it, and had ii sent TO our room, telling
the aucsioneer, if lady should call for II 10 in
form her where il might be found. We exam
ined it again and again and began TO regret our
purchase, feeling almost certain that the young
woman would not thank us for what we bad
done bu. we never mourn over bad b,rgain
Our philosophy will no, permit US to DO So
A little after dusk, as we were s;uirg in ou
sanc,um, the young lady came in hh an apoI
ogy for nrruding, and remarked, "You bough
the bureau--so The auctlc neer Informs me-"
"Yes, bough' it q, an cx,ravagan, price,
assure you"
What did yon ever
! "Teu dollars and half"
You aslonish me. Wha, can do! ha
no idea thu, il would bring over three or iou
dollars. and am not prepared 10 pay for II T.
night"
81 suppose i, was foolish in me 10 give 8
much for il but presumed y"u walled 1t yer
,nuch."v
! II dad, sir, and would no, value paying dou
, bie the amoun, for the bureau, if | were able
rather ,i,au not have IT,"
Is.,,' So apprehended Perhaps il may hav
belonged to some friend of yoars Z"
! :, Yes sir, ,ha, bureau was once my mother :
/ land noticed tear conie in her eye, whlc
/, .be euJeayoreJ 10 conceai--" but she Is dea
: now, and | wished 10 Keep II IN reinehibfanc
| a l.