Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-03-12
HLLSDALE, MARCH IL, 1850.

had his account to settle with Mr.. Lane, for
sundry applications of his art TO broken back
cd chairs, rchety tables, loose vcneering, etc.
etc, for which he wanted sixteen dollars :.
Thus it went on, hour after hour until to.
wards evening. The elazicr called for two
dollars and a half; the timer presented n bill
for five dollars; and the eas-fitter for eight.
BY this time, human patience, at least SO
far as MIR. Lane was concerned, had become
well nigh exhausted. He felt like making a
very severe application of his foot to any
man or boy who might again invade his pres
ence with bill. lie was sitting ut his desk,
in this not very amiabe mood, with the bills
he had received since morning, spread out
before him, and slip of paper in his hand,
upon which the whole of the sums they had
called for, amounting to four hundred and
sixty mine dollars and eighty-siX cents, had
been added up when he heard the door open
and shut. Turning, with a nervous start, he
saw the familiar face of an old negro, who
had polished his boots for The last half dozen
years. lie knew his errand, and felt that
it was like adding insult to injury. Peter
came shullling back towards the desk at
which Lane remained seated with contracted
brows revealing at each STEP more and more
Of his polished ivory.
Little bill, Massa Lane said the negro,
producing, as he spoke, dingy piece of pa
per.
This was too much. 1t was an ordeal be-
yond what overtred patience could bear.
'Clcar out, you black rascal' exclaimed the
sufferer, in passionate voice. If you say
bill to me, III cut your ears off,
Such an unexpected reception from Mas
sa Lane who had been looked upon by Pc
tor as one of the most amiable men in the
world. completely astounded the poor negro,
as he beat hasty retreat, glancing back ev
cry now and then, to see if an inkstand or
paper-woght were not advancing in the di-
rection of his head, with something like light
ming speed.
To sudden storms, there always follows a
deep calm. BY the time Peter had vanished
through the door, retiring at velocity which
could not have been greatly increased had
seven devils been at his heels, Mr. Lanes
mind was trembling back from its state of
unconscionable excitement. Laying his face
down upon the desk, nc sighed heavily
Modification took the place of irritation, and
anger against others was succeeded by anger
against himself.
'Ah mcr was breathed forth heavily, at
last, and raising himself up, he gathered to-
gether the bill that were spread out before
him, and thrustng them into the desk, turned
the key with firm hand, making the lock
click as the bolt sprung to its place.
When Mr.. Lane went home that evening,
his mind was calm. He had passed through
day of sad trial and appointment: but he
knew the worst, and was prepared for il -
When the milk bill, millnor's, and mantcau-
makers bills, and sundry other little bills
were laid before him, he exhibited no emo
ton. They were to his feelings like gen
tie breeze after violent tempest. But on
one thing he was resolved; and that was, to
pay cash for everything, in future.
There must be no January bills next year,
said he to his family, after he had looked at
the sum to pay long enough to be able to
speak OH the subject without visible emotion.
Let cash be paid for everything in the timc
to come. If the money isn't in hand when
the want presents itself, let the want watt
This was good resolution But did Mr.
Lane and his family abide by il! Next Jan
uary will tell.