Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1851-09-20
M / srelIn neon g.
From Arthur's Home Gazette
THINK TWICE.

Did Horner pay the bill.?' enquired Mr..
Gilbert of his clerk, who had Just come in.
The young man shook his head,
Didn't pay it.
No SIR
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
He said that, did hep Mr.. Gilbert spoke
with considerable excitement of manner.
Yes sir. I have never called on him that
he didn't get out of patience and say some
thing unpleasant
Very WELL, replied Mr. Gilbert,in menac-
ing tone; give me the bill. I'll collect it.
And. taking up his hat he left the store.
Within two or three blocks was the Office
of an Alderman; and thither his steps were
turned.
Thank fortune! there is short way to
deal with men in these cases. Thus Mr.. Gil
bert talked to himself as he moved rapidly
along.
Not send my bill indeed! Why dosnt he
come and pay it, if he's so nice in these mat
ters? He dosn't mean n to pay; that's the
true reason, But,he's dealing with the wrong
man, and he will find out before he is twen-
ty-hours older He can bluff off clerk, but
will find city bailiff different sort of a
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 a
poor tailor, who had become indebted to Gil
bert for groceries. The amount of his bill was
sixty-six dollars-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, lessened his
income, and also burdened him with unusual
expenses. But for this he would not have
become indebted. Honest aud sensitive the
debt worried him Instead. however of going
to Mr.. Gilbert asking him to let the obligation
stand for a short time until he could pay it
off gradually, he kept away from him, and
fretted himself with thinking over the unplea-
SAINT 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 was more in imagination than in re-
ality.
i can't pay this now,' was the tailors brief
answer He spoke with a troubled voice
and countenance. The clerk interpreted his
manner BY the word anger
When will you settle it?' he inquired,
with something peremptory in his voice.
I can't tell said Hornor, in a 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 Hornerwhile he was think
ing ofthe bill, and hopelessly casting about in
his mind for some means of paying it. Not
possessing a great deal of self control, he un-
wisely uttered .aE expression of impatience
the moment he saw the clerk of Gilbert.
We'll sir; what about that bill p said the
clerk
IT'S no use to keep calling on me- replied
Horner AS soon as l have !he money will
see Mr. Gilbert
A third time the clerk called. Poor Hor-
ner was in very unhappy state of mind. He
had been thinking of little else beside the
grocer's bill all morning; while, in his mind,
was nervous presentment that he should
have visit that day from the collector. He
was not in error. Even as the thought troub-
led him, open swung the door, and the mess
enger of Gilbert entered
See here, young mani exclaimed Horner
before the other had time to speak; Just tell
Gilbert not to send that bill here again. 1t
won't bring the money an hour sooner
When am ready, will pay it and not before
The clerk turned off and left the shop with
out word of reply.
That wasn't right, john said the taiIor'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 regain degree of self
composure.
4 know it wasn't answered Horner, paus-
ing in his work and giving vent to his feelings
in heavy sigh. L know it wasn't. But this
constant dunning is hard to bear He knows
as well as l do, that he will get his money as
soon as can possibly earn it.
No John; not as well as you do, said the
wife mildly. He cannot see your thought
There was brief silence
Have you ever seen Mr.. Gilbert, John p
enquired 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? 1
don't believe he would give you any trouble