Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-09-18
4 9 ketr y.
THINK TWICE.


"Did Horner pay the bill 2" inquired
MIR. Gilbert of his clerk, who had just come
in.
The young man shook his head.
"Didnr pay it ?"
"No 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"
ale said that, did he 2" Mr.. Gilbert
spoke with considerable excitement of
manner.
"Yes, sir. never called on him that he
didn't get out of patience, and say some
thing unpleasant"
"Very WE'LL" replied Mr.. Gilbert in a
menacing 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 Of
fee of an Alderman, and thther his steps
were turned.
"Thank fortune, there's short way 10
deal with men in these cases." Thus Mr..
/ Gilbert talked to himself as he moved ra-
pldly along. "Not send my bill, indeed.
Why dou'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 it out before he is twenty-four hours
older. He can bluff off clerk, but he
will find city baihf different sort of a
customer"
Horner, the offender in the case, was a
poor tailor, who had become indebted to
Gilbert for groceries. The amount of the
bill was sixty-six dollars-a very large
sum for him, and for exceeding what he
had supposed it would be. Sickness anc
the loss of child had, some months pre-.
viously, lessened his income, and also bur
dened him with unusual expenses. Blu
for this, he would not have become in
debted. Honest and sensitive, the deb
worried him. Instead, however, of going
to MIR. Gilbert, and asking hir, TO let the
obligation stand for short time, until hs
could pay it off gradually, he kept away
from him, and fretted himself with think
ing over his unpleasant relation he bore to
the grocer. AS was to have been expect
ed the bill came in. The clerk, by who's
hands it was sent, made his demands in
style that Horner thought rude, if not in
suiting.
This was more in Imagination than il
reality.
81 can't pay this now," was the tailor
brief answer. He spoke with trouble
voice and countenance. The clerk inter
f preted his manner by the word anger.
"When will you settle it 2" he en-
t quireo, with something peremptory ir hi
Y voice.
81 can't tell" said Horner in a shol
quick tone Of voice.
/ The clerk went away. His report di
: not please the grocer, who, in few day
sent again for the money. The second dt
: mand came upon Horner, while he wa
> thinking of the bill, and hopelessly castin
about in his mind for some means of pay
!, ing it. Not possessing great deal of sci
' control, he unwisely uttered an expressio
of impatience the moment he saw the cler
: of Gilbert.
: "Well, sir; what about the bill 2" sal
=, the clerk.
|. "It's no use TO keep calling on me-" re
piled Horner, ''as soon as have the mol
ey, will see Mr.. Gilbert"
!, A third time the clerk called. Poo
= Horner was in very unhappy state
+. mind. He had been thinking of little ell
ct besides the grocer's bill all the morning
O. in his mind, was nervous presentimel
that he should have visit that day fro
the collector. He was not in error. Eve
as the thought troubled him, open swul
xo the door, and +he messenger of Gilbe
ch entered.
sss "See here, young man," exclaim
Horner, before the other had time to spes
,just tell Gilbert not to send that bill he
IN. again. 1t won't bring the money an he
sooner. When ! am ready will pay
and not BEFORE"
~ The clerk turned off and left the sh,
without word of reply.