Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-06-05
BURLINGTON, IOWA. JUNE 5. 1851.
From Arthur's Home Gazette.
THINK TWICE

From Arthurs Home Gazette
THINK TWICE.
Did Horner pay the bill?' enquired Mr. Gill
bert OF his clerk, who had Just come in.
The young man shook his head
s:Rn "Rldn,t MT p pay it:"
''lie was angry, and said that he wished YOU
wouldn't send after the bill any more; that, when
he Wss ready he would bring you the money, and
not before"
''He said that, did he ?" 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 something IN
pleasant
"very we'll" replied Mr.. Gilbert. in mena-
cling tone "give me the BILL I'll collect it,
And, taking up his hat, he left the store. With
IN two or three blocks was the Office of an Alder
man; and thlther his steps were turned.
Thank fortune there's short way to deal
with men in these cases." Thus Mr. Gilbert talk
ed to himself, as he moved rapidly along. .Not
send my bill, indeed! Why dosen't he come and
pay It, II he IS 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 twentv-four hours older. He can
bluff off clerk, but viii find city baifa differ
ent sort OF customer"
Such was the state of Mr. Gilbert's mind as he
hurried on his way to the Alderman's office.
Horner, the offender in this case. was poor
tailor. who had become indebted to Gilbert for
groceries. The amount Of his hill was sixtv-six
dolars-a very large sum for him. and far ex-
ceedng what he had supposed it would be. Sick
ness, and the loss of child, had some months
previously, lessened his income, and also burden
ed hlm with unusual expenses. But for this, he
would not have become indebted Honest and
sensitive, the debt worried him. Instead. how
ever. of going to Mr.. Gilbert and asking him to
let the obligation stand for short time until he
could pay it off gradually, he kept away from
him, and frctted 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 it was sent made his
demand in a style that Horner thought rude, if not
insulting. This was more in Imagination than in
reality.
II can't pay this now" was the tailor's brief
answer. He spoke with troubled voice and
countenance. The clerk interpreted his manner
by the word sanger"
.'When viii vou settle it ?'' he enquired with
something peremptory in his voice.
Il 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 Horner while he was thinking of the
bill, and hopeessly casting about in his mind for
some means Of paying it. Not possessing great
deal Of self-control, he unwisely uttered an
clamation Of impatience the moment he saw the
clerk Of Gilbert.
.Weil sir: what about that bill % said the
clerk
ATS no use to keep calling on me- replied
Horner ''As soon as | have the money will
see Mr. Gildert'
A third time the clerk called. Poor Horner
| was in very unhappy state of mind. He had
been thinking of little else besides the grocer's
bill all the morning while, in his mind, was a
nervous presentiment that he shoald have visit
that day from the collector He was not in err
ror. Even as the thought troubled him, open
swung his door, and the messenger OF Gilbert ell
tered.
''See here, young man. exclaimed HOrncr.
before the other had time 10 speak .'jnSt tell
Gilbert not TO send that bill here again. won't
bring the money an hour sooner. When | am
ready, l will pay it, and not before
The clerk turned off and left the shop without
| word OF repiv.
That wasn't right. john said the tailor's
wife, in tone Of gentle reproof, after the lapse
| Of five minutes. She wisely forebore 10 speak
until time enough had elapsed for her irritable
husband to regain degree of seIf-composure.
Il know it wasn't" answered Horner, pausing
in his work and giving vent to his feelings in
| heavy sigh. II know It wasn't. But, this con-
slant dunning is hard to bear. He knows as well
as do, that he will get his money as soon as
| can possibly earn it,
''No, John; not as we'll as you do,'' said the
wife, mildly. ''He cannot see your thoughts
There brief silence.
'Have Won ever seen Mr. Gilbert, john" en-
quired Mrs Iiorner.
| s.No. But
The tailor hestated He saw what was in the
mind Of his wife and felt its force.
'Don't Won think ii would be better TO see him,
and explain just how it is with YOU? | don't be-
| hcve he would give vou any trouble. if YOU were
to do so. There is no telling what kind of mes
sages his clerk takes t" him. lf he gives simply
your words to-day. Mr. Gilbert viii be angry;
and there is no knowing what he might be tempt
ed to do'
Il don't want to see him. replied Horner '.I
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. IIorner's own
mind soon suggested all that his wife wished but
hesitated to say. 1t was but right for him to see
| the grocer, explain to him fully his position and
after assuring him OF his intention to pay every
dollar of the debt, ask of him liberal extension
OF time.
''rl see him." said he, at length. patlsng sud-
denly in his work and getting down from his shop
| board. In a little while he was ready to 90 ont
when he started forth to see his creditor.
In the meantime. Gilbert had kept on his way
| toward the Alderman's, fully resolved to hand
his debtor to the tender mercies of the law.
He was within few doors of the Office when he
met friend.
sEWhat's the matter - enqured this individu-
al. '.Yoa look as if you Were going to sue some
| BODY"
''Just what am about doing" replied the gro
| Ger.
'Ah, indeed! Who is the hard case that re-
quires such a stringent measure"
| ''Horner. the tailor. You know him believe?''
'les, very well. But you are not going to sue
him."
''Indeed am
..How much does he owe you?''
''Sixtv odd dollars"
| cpd think twice before troubled poor Hor-
| ner - said the other, shaking his head.
ale sends me only insulting answers" replied
Gilbert. '.Ive dunned him until Pm tired"
''Perhaps You've dunned him too hard. He is
sensitive and irritable
''No; Eve only sent three or four times. This
morning he returned for answer that he would
pay when he was ready. and not before"
! .'And, on the spur of the moment, You have
determined to put the account into an Alderman's
hands,
IL have"
s'roo hasty, friend Gilbert In all matters OF
| this kind it is better to think twice Remember
that Horncr has had sickness and death in his
family. These. know, have thrown him back.
| Here lies the cause of his slowness in paying
But, surely these things entitle him to consider
alton He is honest | ain certain of this.''
az didn't think about his sickness and the loss
of his child,'' said Gilbert, in modified tome
s'But this is no justification for the rude, unsat-
isfactory answers he sent to my applications for
|