Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1850-11-21

ihate li'ehu oi DTiar.ys >, appeared IN Mar
ket Street in an old rusty coat, worn hat
and well mended, but clean and who'll
trowsers and vest. Friend after friend stop
ped him, and, in astonishment. inquired
the cause of this change. He had but on,
answer, in substance. But we will Civ,
his own account Of the matter, as related
TO three or four young bucks in an oyster
house, where they happened TO meet him
L---was of the number.
a patch on your elbow, Tom, as lvel
said one. And here's another on your
vest. Why, old fellow, this is premeditated
poverty
Better wear patched garments than ow,
tor new ones,' replied Tom, with great So
briefly.
BLESS US when did You turn economist ?
Ever since tried 10 be gentleman
Whatr
'Ever since ] tried to be gentleman.
may strut up and down Market Street in
fine clothes, switch my rattan about, talk
nonsense TO silly ladies', swear and drink
wine but if don't pay my tailor Pm no
gentleman
Nonsense was replied. There was a
iel, very much flat,ered by his words.
No nonsense at ALL he said We mayp
puton airs oigentility, boast ofindependence
ard spirit, and all that, but its mean kind
Of gentiliy that will let man flourish a.
bout in a fine coat for which he owes his
tailor. Wyvl!e has large bill ayains,
me for clothes, Grafton another for boots,
and Cox another for hats. am trying TO
pay these oll-trying TO become a gentle.
man..
'Then YOU don't consider yourself a gem
tleman now ? said one.
'Oh no. Pm only trying to become a
gentleman meekly replied Tom, though a
close observer could see u slight twitchinp
in the corner of his eye. My honor is in
pawn, and will remain SO until pay these
bills. Then shall feel like holding up my
head again, and looking gentlemen in the
face
The oddness of the conceit, and the bold
ness with which it was carried out, attrac.
ted attention, and made Il good deal of talk
at the time. A great many talor's bills
were paid instanter that would not have
been paid for months; perhaps not at all.
In a few days. however, Tom appeared
abroad again, quite as handsomely dressed
as before, alleging that his uncle had taken
compassion on him, and, on: of admiration
for his honest principles, paid off his bills,
and made gentleman of him once mare.
No one, of course, believed Tom to be
sincere in all this. II was looked upon as
one of his waggish tricks, intended to hit
oil some one, or perhaps the whole class of
fine, tailor-made gentlemen who forget their
benciactors.
While Tom was metamorphosed as sta
ted, Brarly was waited upon, one day. by
a young man, who presented hm with a,
challenge to mortal combat from the in.
suited l., and desired him to name his
friend.
4 cannot accept the challenge said Bri
ary. promptly.
'Why not ? asked the second Of L,
in surprise
because your principal is no gentleman
what (!
'ls no gentleman cody returned Bri-
arly,
Explain yourself, sir, if you please
'lle dosn't pay his taior--he dosn't pay
his boot-m maker-he dosen', pay hfs halter
he is, therefore, no gentleman, and
cannot fight him.
'You will be poste as 4 coward said the
fiercely
In return for which will post him as
no gentleman, and give the evidence re-
piled Briarly.
| will take his place You will hear from
me shortly said the second, turning away.
BE sure you don't owe your tailor any
thing, or if you do, will not stoop to ac.
cept your challenge returned Briarly. j
will consider it prima .Iacic evidence that
you are no gentleman. know Patterson
very we'll and will, in the meantime, inform
myself on the subject
An this was said with the utmost gravi.
ty, and with a decision of tone and man
ncr that left no dubt of the intention.
The second Withdrew. An hour elapsed,
but no new chaleuge came. Days went
by, but no posters drew crowds at the cor
ners. Gradually the matter got wind, to
the infinite amusement OF such as happened
to know l., who was fairly driven from
a city where it was no use trying to be a
gentleman without paying his taior's bill.