Saturday morning visitor., 1848-06-10
passed the shop, but rarely saw custom.

n HAL ike nun can eNpeCt anu uOh
deserve CUSTOM
In the eyes of Baker, the very grass
seemed TO grow upon the pavements be-
fore the door of the declining tradesman
Dust settled thickly in his window, anC
the old sign turned grayer and grayer il
the bleaching air.
Going TO the dogs, and no wonder,
Baker would say to himself as he wen
by. He appeared to take strange inte.
rest in watching the gradual decay of the
mechanics fortunes. One day, mercan-
tile friend said to him
DO you know any thing about this
Leonard p
'Why?' asked Baker.
Because he wants to make q pretty
large bill with me-.
'On time?'
'On the usual credit of six months
Don't sell to him. Why, the man is
going 10 the dogs at railroad speed
'lndeedP'
Yes. I'm looking every day to see him
close up. He might have done well, for
he understood his business, but he was so
unaccommodaing, and | might say insult
ing to his customers, that he drives the
best ones be has away. used to make
large bills with him. but haven't dealt al
his shop for some time
'Ah, was not aware of that. | am
glad / spoke TO you, for shouldn't like TO
lose six or seven hundred dollars
six or seven hundred! Is it possible
that he wants to buy so recklessly? Take
my advice, and don't think of trusting him.
Il certainly shall not.
When Leonard ordered the goods, the
merchant declined selling except for cash.
AS you please returned the mechanic
indifferently, and ent elsewhere and made
his purchases.
1t happened that Mr.. Leonard had ve-
ry pretty and interesting daughter, on
whose education the mechanic had bestow-
ed great pains; and it also happened that
Baker had a son who, in most things, was
a chip Of the old block.' Particularly
was he like his father in his great love of
money; and scarcely had he reached his
majority, ere he began to look around him
with careful eye TO good matrimonial
arrangement, by which plenty of money
would be secured.
Adelaide Leonard, on account Of her
beauty and accomplishments, was much
caressed, and mingled freely in society,"
Young Baker had met her frequently, and
could no, help being struck with her beau-
iy, intelligence and grace.
There's charm for you, said friend
to him one evening.
In Miss Leonardo!
yes
She's charming girl, replied the
young man. Il wonder If her father is
worth any thing?'
People say so.'
Indeed!'
yes; they say the old fellow has laid
up something quite handsome and as A
delaide is his only child, she will, Of
course get it all.
| was not aware of that
1T is all so, l believe
After this, young Baker was exceed
ingly attentivet to Miss Leonard, and made
percepiil lie inroads upon her heart. He
even went so far as % visi: pretty regu-
larly at her house, and was medtating an
avowal OF his attachment, when bis father
said 10 him one day
'What young lady was that | saw with
you on the street yesterday aflernoon9
Her name is Leonard.'
The daughter Of old Leonard, in -
street?'
Yes sir
Mr.. Baker looked grave and shook his
head.
DO you know any thing about her9'
asked The son.
Nothing about her, but know that her
father is going TO the dogs as fast as ever
a man went
'Indeedl l thought he was very well
off,
oh, mol I've been looking to see his
shop shut up, or 10 hear of his being sold
out by the sheriff, every day for two years
past
Miss Leonard is very lovely girl
She's the daughter of a poor vulgar
mechanic. If you see any thing lovely in
hat, Henry, you have strange taste
There's no gainsaying Adelaide's per-
sonal attractions replied the son, but if
her father is in the condition you allege,
hat settles the matter as far as she and |
are concerned. ] am glad you introduced
lhe subject, for might have committed
myself, and when too late discovered my
error
And sad error it would haye been,
Henry. In any future matter Of this kind
hope you will be perfecily frank with
me. have much more accurate know