The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1849-09-08
A GOOD STORY

Old Col. W, formerly a we'll know char.
acter in one Of our eastern cities, was remark
able for but one passion on. Of the ordinary
range OF humanity, and that was for bnvinp
any lot OF trdmPery which came under the
head or miscellaneous for the reason that,
y could not be classified. Though close. listed
N general, be was continually throwing awav
MS money in fves and tens on such trash. In
THIS way he had filled all the old corners in his
dwelling and out-houses with a collection Of
nondescript articles that would have puzzled
a philosophers tell what they are made for, or
70 what use they could be put, This, howev-
Ell was q secondary consideration with the Co.
lionel; for he seldom troubled his head about
such articles after they were fairly housed
Not SO with his wife, however, who was con-
tinually demonstrating against these purchases.
which served only 10 clutter Up the house.
and as food for the mirth Of the domestics
But the colonel, though he often submitted to
the circumstances of his better half, could not
resist the passion; and SO he went on adding
from week to week to his heap Of mis-
cellanies. One day while sauntering down
the street, he heard the rich, full tones Of the
auctioneer; and oI course stepped in 10 see
what was being sold. On the floor he per.
celved a collection which might have been
Pnrlolned from the garrett of some museum,
and around which a motley group were assem-.
bled; while on the counter stood the portlv
auctioneer, in the very height Of mock-in-
dlgnant remonstrance with his audience.
Nine dollars and ninety cents!' cried the
auctioneer; gentlemen, it is a shame. it is Iaf-
berous to stand by and permitsuch a sacrifice
of property! Nine dollars and Dinety-Good
morning Col! A magnificent lot of-of-ANrG-
oUEs-and all going for nine dollars and ninety
cts. Gentlemen you will never see another such
lot; and all going-gOing-going for nine dol
lars and ninety cents. Col. W., can YOU
permit such a sacri6ce?' The Col. glanced
his eye over the lot, and with a nod aud a
assured him he could not. The next in.
slant the hammer came down and the pur-
chase was his at ten dollars, As the articles
were to be paid for and removed Immediately
the Colonel lost no time in getting a cart, and
everything packed up and on their way
to the house, he proceeded to his own store
chdcRling within himself that NOW, at least, he
had made a bargain at which even his wife
couldn't grumblo.
In due time the Colonel was seated at the
dinner table, when lifting his eyes he observed
a cloud on his wife's brow. Well, my dear?'
said he inquiringly. 'Well?' repeated his
wife' 1T is not well, Mr.. W.; l am vexed be-
yond endurance. You know c., the auc-
tioneer!' Certainly replied the Colonel.
: and a very gentlemanly person he is too }
You may think so,1 %rejoined the wife, hut l
don't, and | will tell why. A few days ago, |
gathered tOgather all the trumpcry with which
you have been cluttering the house for the last
twelve months, and sent it to him; with
orders to sell the lot Immediately to the highest
bidder for cash. He assured me he would do
so in all this week, at farthest, and pay over
the proceeds to my order. And here / have
been congratulating myself on two things
first, on having got rid of a most inIoIerable
nuisance. and secondly, on receiving money
enough therefor to purchase that new velvet
hat you promised me SO long ago. And now
what do you think? This morning. about an
hour ago, the Whok load came back wittout a
word Of explanation? The Colonel looked
blank for a moment, and then proceeded to
clear up the mystery. But the good woman
was paciied only by promise Of a ten dollar
beside thatin the hands Of the auctioneer;
condition however that she should never
mention it. OF course she kept her word.
TAnV QT