Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-09-27
A Good Story.

Old Colonel W, formerly well
known character in one of our Eastern cit
les >yns remarkable for one Pnssion out of
was Tor buying any lot ot old trumpery that
came under the head of miscellaneous"
/ for the reason that it could not be clas5i-
fled. Though close listed in general he was
continually throwing away his money in
iives and tens on such trash. In this way
he had filled all tie old corners in his dwell.
ling and outhouses with collection of nom
descript articles that would have puzzled
philosopher to tell what they were made for,
or to what use they could be put. This,
however, was secondary consideration
with the Colonel, for he seldom troubled
his head about such articles after they were
! fairly housed. Not so with his wife how
ever, who was continually demonstrating
gainst these purchases which served only to
clutter up the house, and as food for the
mirlh OF the domestics. But the Colonel,
though he often submitted to these remon-
j straces Of his better hail. could not resist
| the passion aud so he went OH from week
to week adding to his heap of msceIlanies.
! One day while saunterng down the street,
he heard the rich, full tones OF the auction
Ger, and Of course stepped in to see what
! was being sold, On the floor he perceived
a collection which looked as if it might
nave been purloIned from the garnet of some
museum, and around which motley crowd
/ were assembled while on the counter
stood the porlIy auctloneer, in the height
Of mock Indignation remonstrance with
his audience.
Nine dollars and ninety cents" cried
the auctoneer. Gentlemen, il il shame,
it is barbarous 10 stand by and permit such
Il sacrifice of property Nine dollars and
ninety-Good morning, Colonel A mag
ntlcent lot ol--of-ANTIoUEs-and all CO.
ing for nine dollars and ninety cents!
Gentlemen, you'll never see such another
lot; and all going-going-GoNG for nine
dollars and nnty cents. Col. W, can
YOU permit such a sacrifice 2"
The Colonel glanced his eye over the lot,
and then, with nod and a wink, assured
him he could MOI, The next instant the
hammer came down, and the purchase was
his at ten dollars AS the articles were to
TO be paid for and removed Immediately,
the Colonel lost no time in getting cart,
and having seen every thing packed up and
on their way to The house, he proceeded tc
his own store, chucklng with himself thai
NOW, at least he had made a bargain a
which even his wife could not grumblc.
In due time the Colonel was seated a
the dinner table, when lifting his eyes he
observed cloud on his wifes brow.
Well, my dear !' said he inquiringly.
" Well 2" repeated his wife: it is no
well, Mr.. W, am vexed beyo ID en-
durance. You know O., the auctio
neer ~
Certainly" replied the Colonel, {" AM
a very gentemanly person he is, too"
" lou may think SO" rejoined his wife
! "but don't, and Pll tell you why. A FEY
) days ago | gathered together all the trump
cry with which you have been cIutterin,
the house for the last twelve months, an,
r sent it to him, with orders to sell the 10
: to the highest bidder for cash. He assur
ed me he would do so this week at farthes
; and pay over the proceeds to my order
| Aud here | have been congratulatin!
| myself on two things first, on having 60
2 rid Of a most intolerable nuisance and Sc
condly, on receiving money enough there
: for to purchase that new velvet cap yo
: promised me so long ago. And now wha
5 do you think ? This morning, about al
5 hour ago, the whOLe load came back withou
a wOrd Of explanation !"
: The Colonel looked blank for a minute