Worcester daily spy., 1851-10-06

| ibid Horner pay the bill 20 inquired MIR. Gilbert
of his clerk, who had just come in.
| The young man shook his head.
Didn't pay it:''
''No sir
"What answer did he glve.:''
"He angry, and said that he wished you
wouldn't send after the bill any more that when
he was ready he would bring you the money and
not before.'
"He said that, did he?'' Mr.. Gilbert spoke with
considerable excitement Of manner.
''H es sir. never called on him that he didn't
get out of patience, and say something unpleasant
every well, replied MIR. Gilbert in menacing
tone; ''give me the bill. I'll collect it''
And taking up his hat he left the store
Within two three blocks was the office of an
Alderman, and thither his steps were turned.
''Thank fortune, there's short way to deal
with men in these cases" Thus Mr.. Gilbert talked
to himself as he moved rapidly along
''Not send my bill, indeed Why don't he come
and pay, if he's so nice in these matters He
doesn't mean to pay, that's the true reason. But
he Is dealing with the wrong man, and he will find
this out before he is twenty-four hours older He
can bluff off clerk, but will find city bailif DIFF
ferent sort of customer
Horner, the offender in this case was poor tailor
who had become indebted to Gilbert for groceries
The amount of his bill sixty-six dolars-a very
large sum for him, and far exceeding what he had
supposed it would be- Sickness and the loss of
child had some months previously, essened his in
come, and also burdened him with unusual expens-
es. But for this, he would not have become indeb-
ed. Honest and sensitive, the debt worried him.
Instead, however, OF going TO Mr. Gilbert, and ask
ing him TO let the obligation stand for short time
until he could pay it off gradually he kept away from
him, and retted himself with thinking over the un-
pleasant relation he bore to the grocer As was to
have been expected, the bill came in. The clerk, by
whose hands it was sent made his demands in "a style
that Horner thought rude if not insulting
This more in Imagination than in reality.
81 can't pay this now,'' was the tailor's brief
answer He spoke with troubled voice and coun-
4 tenance. The clerk Interpreted his manner by the
word anger.
When will you settle it :" he enquired with
something peremptory in his voice.
81 can't tell, said Horner in Short quick tone
of voice.
/ The clerk bowed and went away. His report did
not please the grocer, who, in few days. sent again
for the money. The second demand came upon
lorner, while he thinking of the bill, and hope
lessly casting about in his mind for some means of
paying it. Not assessing great deal of secontrol,
he unwisely uttered an expression o impalence the
moment he saw the clerk of Gilbert
swell, sir; what about that bl?" said the clerk
| cts no to keep calling me- replied Hor-
ner; "as soon as l have the money, will see Mr..
Gilbert''
A third time the clerk called Poor Horner was
IN very unhappy state of mind He had been
thinking of little else beside the grocers bill all the
morning In his mind, nervous presentiment
that he should have visit that day from the colec-
tor. He was not in error. Even the thought
troubled him, open swung the door, and the messen-
ger of Gilbert entered
'See here, young man, exclaimed Horner
before the other had time to speak, sust tell Gilbert
not to send that bill here again. 1t won't bring the
money hour sooner When | am ready will
pay it, and not beiore.'
The clerk turned off and left the shop, without a
word ofreply
'That wasn't right John,'' said the tailor's wife,
in tone Of gentle reproof, after the lapse Of FIVE
minutes. She wisely forbore to speak until time
enough had elapsed for her irritable husband to re-
gain degree of selfcomposure
81 know it wasn't" answered Horner, pausing in
his work, and giving vent to his feelings in heavy
sigh. 81 know it wasn't But this constant dunning
is hard to bear. He knows, as well as | do that he
will get his money soon | possibly earn
it''
''No, John, not well as you do said the wife
mildly 'He cannot see your Thoughts
There brief silence.
"Have you Mr.. Gilbert, Joilu?'' inquired
Mrs. Horner.
"No. But
The tailor hesitated. He saw what was in the
mind of his wife, and he felt its force
'Don't you think it would be better to see him
and explain just how it is with you don't believe
he would give you any trouble if you were to 90.
There is no telling what kind of messages his cleik
takes TO him. II he gives simply your words to-day
Mr. Gilbert will be angry, and there is no knowing
what he might be tempted to do''
81 don't want to see him." replied Horner, &c |
can't bear to look into mans face if owe him
money!
The wife sighed but did not answer. Both remaia-
ed silent for some time. Horner's own mind sesn
suggested all that his wife wished, but hesitated to
say. 1t was but right for him to the grocer eA-
plain to him fully his position, and after assuring
him of his honest intention to pay every dollar efthe
debt, ask of him liberal extension OF time
:" will see him." said, he at length, pausinr
suddenly in his own work, and getting down from
his shop. In little while he was ready to 20 out,
when he started forth to see his creditor
In the meantime Gilbert had kept on his way TO-
ward the Alderman's fully resolved TO hand his debt
or over 10 the tender merces of the law He was
within few doors Of the office when he met a
friend.
"What's the matter!'' inquired this individual
y you look as 1t you were going to sue somebody"
Just what | am about doing" replied the
grocer.
An, indeed Who is the hard case that requires
such stringent measure?''
"Elorner, the tailor. You know him, believe -
"Yes, very well. But you are not going to $ 9
him ;"
"Indeed am.''
elbow much does he owe You ~
"Sixty odd dollars
"I'd thing twice before troubled poor Horner,''
said the other shaking his head
s'He sends me only insulting answers replied
Gilbet-
"Pve dunned him for his Indebtedness until am
tired"