Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-08-02


mo, SIR
What answer did he give?'
He was 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
lie said that, did hep Mr. Gilbert spoke
with considerable excitement of manner.
Yes, sir. have never called on him that
he didn't get out of patience, and say some-
thing unpleasant
very WELL replied Mr.. Gilbert, in mem
acing tone; give me the bill. III collect it,
And, taking up his hat, he left the store.
Within two or three blocks was the office of
an Alderman aud thither his steps were
turned.
Thank fortune! there's a short way to
deal with men in these cases. Thus Mr..
Gilbert talked TO HIMSELF as he moved along
Not send my bill indeed Why doesn't he
come and pay IL, If he is so nice in these
matters? lie 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-iour hours older. lie can bluff
offa clerk, but will find city bailif' differ
ent sort of n customer
Such was the state of Gilbert's mind, Ms
he hurried on his way to the Alderman's Of
fee.
Horner, the offender in this case wns a
poor tailor, who had become indebted TO Gil
bert for groceries. The amount of his bill
was sixty-sx dollors-a very large sum for
him, and far exceeding what he had suppo-
sed il would be. Sickness, and the loss of a
child, had some months previously, lessoned
his income, and also burdened him with un-
usual expenses. But for this, he would not
have become indebted. Honest and sens-
tive, the debt worried him. Instead, how |
ever, of going to MIR. Gilbert and asking him |
10 let the obligation stand for q short time un-
I'll he could pay il off gradually, he kept away |
from him, and ffetted himself with thinking
over the unpleasant relation he bore to the
grocer. As was to have been expected the
bill came in. The clerk by whose hands il
was sent, made his demand in style TINT
Horner thought rude, if not insulting. This
was more in imagination than in reality.
: j can't pay this now was the taior's brief
answer He spoke with troubled voice
and countenance. The clerk interpreted his
manner by the word anger
when will you settle il p lie enquired with
something peremptery in his voice.
u can't tell said Horner, in n short quick
tone of voice.
The clerk bowed and went away. His re-
port did not please the grocer, who, in few
days, sent again for the money. The second
demand came upon Horner while he was
thinking of the bill and hopelessy casting
about IN bis mind for some means of paying
il. Not possessing great deal of self con
troll, he unwisely uttered an expression of
impatience the moment he saw the clerk of
Gilbert.
'Wcll, sir, what ubout that bill 2: said the
clerk.
It's no use TO keep calling on me- replied
A.. 4 4. Il |
will see Mr.. Gilbert
third time the clerk called. Poor Ilor-
ner was in very unhappy state of mind
tie had been thinking of little else besides
the grocer's bill all the morning; while in
his mind, was a nervous presentiment that
he should have visit that day from the col
lector. lie was not in error. Even as the
the thought troubled him open swung his
door, and the messenger of Gilbert entered.
See here, young manp exclaimed Hor-
ner before the other had time to speak lust
tell Gilbert not to send that bill again. II
won't bring the money an hour sooner.-
When am ready, will pay it and not be-
fore.'
The clerk turned off and left the shop
without word of reply.
That wasn't right, John, said. the tailor's
wife, in tone Of gentle reproof after the
!
speak until time enough had elapsed for her
irritable husband to regain degree of self
eomposure.
Il know it wasn't answered Horner, pau
sing in his work to give vent to his feelings
IN heavy sigh. Il know it wasn't. But
this constant dunning is hard TO bear. He
knows, as well as | do that he will get his
money as soon as ! can possibly earn it,
mo, John; not as well as you do said
the wide, mildly. He cannot SEQ your
thoughts
There was hrief silence.
Have you ever seen Mr.. Gilbert, John ?
snquired Mrs. lIorner
mo. But
The tailor hesiated He saw what was
in the mind of his wife, and felt its force.
Donf you think il would be better to see
him, and explain Just how il is with YOU p
don't believe he would give you any trouble
if yon were TO do so. There is no telling
what kind Of messages his clerk takes 10
him. u he gives simply your words to-day,
Dir. Gilbert will be angry; and there is no
knowing what he might be tempted TO do
Il don't wan't to see him. replied llorner.
can't bear TO look into mans face if |
owe him money
The wife sighed but did not answer
Both remained silent for some time. Hor-
Rers own mind soon suggested all that his
wife wished, hut hesitated TO say. 1t was
bat right for him TO see the grocer, explain
10 him fully his position aud after assuring
him Of his intention to pay every dollar Of
she debt, ask of him liberal extension of
time.
'Pll see him. said he, at length, pausing
suddenly in his work, aud getting down from
his shop board. In little while he was
ready to go out, when he started forth to see
lis creditor
In the meantime, Gilbert had kept on his
way toward the Alderman's, fully resolved 10