Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-06-23
Anecdote of Olden Time.

New Hampshire paper, bearing date near
ly twenty years ago.
Mr.. S., reputable and thrifty mer
chant of the last century, was possessed OF
a great deal Of natural shrewdness, together
with tact for turning every circumstance
to his own advantage. We have heard Of
many anecdotes Of him, and among others
the following, which, perhaps, will better
show his off pecularities than a labored
description. He kept grocery store near
Spring Hill, which like the grocery stores
of that period, was filled with a variety Of
notions; among other things, he was ia
nous for the good quality of his cotton. an
article, which at the time was very scarce
and high. One day customer from the
country drove up to his door, and inquired
the price of his cotton.
"rhree and sixpence per pound" repll'
ed s..
weigh me dozen pounds" said the
conutryman, at the same time stepping III
to the store with large bag in his hand tc
put it in.
The cotton was weighed and put into the
bag, and Mr.. S. stepped into the count
ing. room to make bill leaving his custom
er busiIy engaged in tying it up Now, i
so happened, there WAS small lot of goot
locking cheese near the spot, aud the coun
trynan, though right from the land of milk
and honey, could not resist the propensity
to crib one of them. lie accordingly tool
one up, and after looking about to see tha
none were observing hun, slid it into the
bag, which he Immediately tied up, ant
patiently awaited the return of S., wht
soon after came out, and presented the bill
Which the countryman paid.
Now Mr. s. WIS one of the mos
polite men If the aye and at once his quicl
eye had detected the abduction OF TIT
cheese He Was at ny loss to account ful
its disappearance, and instantly PREPARED
himself to act as circumstances might re
qnire The couutryman after one or tw
unlmportant observations, was preparing /
depart. s. who we have before OBJ
served was excessively polite, would by N
means suffer him to carry his own bundl
but offered his services, and at the sam
time to k up The bag to carry it out. II
had proceeded nearly to the door of hi
shop when he stopped.
"This bag is very heavy-I must hav
made mistake in the we ight of the COT
ton"
DILL gness not" says the country
man.
"But have, certainly" says s.. I"
can hardly carry tive must weigh
again"
By this time s. had brough, it bac
to the counter, and was preparing to unit
it. Here was a dilemma. If the bag wa
united the theft would be discovered, an
il weighed as it was, it would be pawn
munstrously high for the cheese. TIL
counlryman hemd aud had. and scratche
h's head, but without getting step out
the difficulty. To complete his constern
ton, at that moment another person ente
ed the store; this decided him. and aft,
drawing long breath he stammered out,
"Mr. S., don't trouble yourself to IL,
tie the bag, it weighs ast pound-i',
weighed i, hundred tunes"
"No consequence" said S., and
put the whole INTO the scaIes-'I knew
must have made mistake. II weighs thi
ty.eight pounds-blockhead that | am -
Let me see: twelve that you paid for, all
one lor the bag is thirteen-thirteeu fro
thirty-eight leaves twenty-five. Twen.y.f,
pounds. at three shiliugs and sixpence
GA Is Cd. Wait a moment; will NAL
another bill"
The countryman did wait, received Il
bill, and paid "a Is. Cd for his cheese T
then flung the bag into his jun
ed in and drove off with IA face CLOWN
like igniled charcoal. Mr. s. renal
ed in The door until he had bowed
customer out of sight, then turning roul
, he coolly observed to the person within
"Our friend there hasa fine horse: 90
George see how fast he trotsp'