The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-04-28
visit from the commissioners of the proper-

visit from the commissioners of the proper
ty-tax. To-day he is in changed moo
How much do you want, my little
fellow 2" says the clerk, kindly.
"Ten shillings," falters the urchin, and
his eyes look very much as if he could
cry, but wouldn't.
:" Why that is all you have put in,"
says the man Of Office.
81 knows it, but can't help; mothers
had lace gown she had to wash stole at
the bleaching, and she's got to pay it."
"Then you are not likely to put again
into the bank 2" pursued the interrogation.
al don't-don't know" said the boy,
his distress fairly getting the better of his
manliness sit took a power o hard work
to save ten shillings, and now if get any
more, it'll all 90 to that lace gown, that
mother couldn't help no more than you."
And in spite of all effort, the poor child
burst into tears.
"And what did so young q boy as you
want to do with savings alreadyl" says
a benevolent old gentleman, who has
brought power of attorney from some
absent servant. "What did you mean
to buy for yourself with all your money 2"
The lad looked up, shyly, but search
ingl,-, into the guestioncr's face and see
ing there only good wishes and kind
thoughts, answered at once" Why, sir,
mothers poor woman, and slaves like a
nigger, and she lives out Of the way, and
has to bring all the clothes into town in a
brrrow, and it does tire her dreadful this
hot weather; so l thought l might get
shillings and shillings, till had enough
to get little cart and donkey for her,
to bring her in without trouble"
The old gentleman nodded his head
and seemed to muse.
"Whcre do YOU work Z"
81 works for the shops-runs errands
carries parcels, and that sort of things !;
and can write, so then can get receipts
and sign 'cm, which some of the boys can
not do, and therefore I'm always busy"
The sequel of this little colloquy was,
that the old gentleman-whow was a veal
thy mcrchant--inquired about the lad, and
finding satisfactory replies, resolved upon
taking him into his counting house, where
! have no doubt, he will succeed, and real
izc his vision of the washing cart and the
donkey for his mother. Meantime the
three clerks who stand at those three open
places, are calling, name by name, for the
owners to come and sign various docu-
ments ere they are admitted to the cash
icr's corner, where they receive their mon
cy and are dismissed.
Poor old widow how feeble she looks.
and how sad she comes on painful er-
rand. Her only, and dear son, brick
layer, has fallen from scatfolding and
been injured ; and, though sufficiently re-
covered from the hospital, he is disabled
for work, anc his mother must draw out
all her little savings to support him and
herself till he is again strong enough TO
work, as before, for the two.
After the widow, comes widow era
little, grim, sour man, in rusty black with
a black, unshorn chin, that seems also IN
a dusky suit OF mourning: He has lost
his wife, and has come here to procure
money, she, good, industrious woman had
saved up during a course of ten years
amounting to about twenty pounds. But
eagerly as the bereayed looks for that all
powerful consoler-gold, he finds unex-
pected obstacles between him and the OBJ
jcct of his desires. Hc must first bring
certificates from magistrate or q clergy
man, that he is the man who married that
especial woman known to the bank as a
depositor; and also he must prove that
she left him the said money, and that he
is thus empowered to claim it. To do
this will cost him about half crown, and
delay his receiving the money for about
ten days. The heart that bore a wife's
death with fortitude, cannot calmly re-
solve to pay away half crown out of the
dearly purchased legacy! The widower
wakes very wroth, and calculates sundry
disrespec..ful epithets towards the inexora-
bic c,,Srk that gentleman hears him qui-
city, and MAKE the same ansSS'"r to his
pctulant outbreaks-",.. must be done /;
must conform to the rules. IL does not
matter how small or large the sum is, the
rules must be obeyed."
Meanwhile, the other expectants are
growing impatient. The dispute between
the widower and the clerk is likely to be
interminable the one utters over and over
again, the same complaint; the other
makes the same freezing reply. The next
on the roll---a hurley drayman, como to
draw out the necessary sum for the expen-
ses of his tenth child--will wait no longer;
he pushes aside, with vigorous shove,
the not-to-bc-satisiied widower: "Come,
you've had your answer; 90 and get the
stifficats, and make no more bones of the
matter. Pm in hurry; whose to listen
to your growling' Here, you clerk,
want ti-pun note for my good woman
and be quick, will youl I"
Mark those two girls sitting, side by side,
Oh the bench; they are no relations, they
never met before this minute; and their
situations are as different as rose-color and
and sepia are in tints. That tall, smart,
lively damsel, with her large white teeth
and glossy ringlets, has come for her mo-
ney, that she may expend it in wedding
outfit. Do you see her bridegroom, how
proud he is Of her, and OF himself too
H. 4. 3 4