The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1853-06-22
Shirt MisttIlanll.
THE CROSSED DOLLAR.
OR TIE COUNTRY DrALlR AND his CLERK.

country towns-where- every article Of
produce is bought from the farmers round
about, aud where every kind Of goods usu.
ally needed in the country, is kept. He
was q sharp featured shrewd looking man,
somewhat turned Of fifty, and as hard as
diamond al trade. He could buy ihe best
Of produce at the lowest rates, and he
could sell his auction bought goods al
alarmingly high prices. In short he never
failed to make round profit at both ends
Of the bargain. He didhot hesitate 10 over
step The bounds Of honesty, when he had
fair chance, though he always did it in
such manner that his old adage, "A bar.
gain," would safely shield him.
Lyman" said he TO his son one day, a
young man some twenty years old, and
almos, the counterpart Of his father save
that he showed more recklessness of dis.
position, "did you make trade with far
ner Jones I"
"Yes."
"What did you charge him for that su.
gar and teal"
"Ninepence for the sugar, and half dol.
lar for the Tea. Made him believe il was
extra you see."
"Thats right And what did you charge
him for the cofee!"
"Ab. there had him! made the old
man believe twas extra old Java--charged
him fifteen cents"
"Pretiy good, my son, only you might
have put on the half cent. You see you
can make great point cut Of that. When
you come the half cents over them they
think you are shaving closer down 10
cost. But you did very well, Lyman.
Now what did you allow Jones for his
beansl"
"Nine an sixpehce."
"Oh! you shouldn't have given that. A
T dollar or dollar and ninepence would
have been enough"
"But they were nice ones, father cafe
fully picked and clean"
"You should have made him believe
I they were poorer.
"Bu, howl"
"Oh, when you found the old man hat
beans to exchange for goods you shoult
have taken handful Of poorer ones from
e one of our barrels and watched you
e chance 10 scatter them over the top Of his
r Don't YOU understand"
"Yes see now father"
-"'fha,'s rightly We mdst live ant
thrive, you see, and who makes the mos
n comes out the best in the end. Away
take advantage Of customer when yo
i can, but be careful and keep the brigh
side out" .....
This was the way the father taught hi
son, and how his son profled by it, tn
10 sequel will show. @
/. by the way, Iiythan;" continued til
old man, 81 have discovered who il is lha
has been robbing my money drawer"
"Ah!' uttered the son; turning at thu
moment 10 arrange piece fcallco, whic
e didn't need any fixing al all, land who i
!. it," .... .0.... ...
. "Wilton Cunningham"
y 81 shouldn't wonder in the least, ney
e or liked the fellow, and have often wor
g dered what made you keep him."
If al wouldn't have kept him, only that h
4 is such remarkable smart book keeper
and such beautiful writer, TOO. lie ain
= fit 10 trade"
ID "No, you can never make him beliey
q its right 10 drive a snug trade. But no,
a did you manage 10 detect hint"
"rll tell YOU" returned the old man.
- "I.asl week took particular notice I
70 some silver dollars that we're in the none
drawer, and determined that would set
is trap for the thief. | took ou, four of Ii
n. pieces and crossed Them very carefully ar
IN such manner that one not acquaintt
~ with the secret would moi be likely 10 n
ID iice it; then put them back into the draw
lie er. Next morning one OF them was gon
and as all our trade the day before h;
III been barter or credit, knew that j, cou
" no, have been given in change. Ofcour
r. my suspicious fell upon Wilson, and |
Is, once began 10 look about 10 see where
On had spent the money, and found that
had paid Mr.. Wiley, AMI asked 10 see II
Io money Wilton had paid him, and foul
~ my crossed dollar lis as plain as da
OF light"
or "Certainly il is" said Lyman.
in "There can be no doubt Of il" added Il
10 old man, in confident tone, and then wi
= a sarcastic sneer, he said: "llis seeming
:. honest is only the result Of fear. lie da
'l' not make bold trade, but he can steal
n the dark, though--"
o. Just then a customer entered, and viii
Mr.. Randall was trading with him, Wiltt
Cunningham came in. The latter was n
over one and twenty, and though appea
ances are deceillul yet il would bo ha
work 10 make physiognomis, believe til
C. he was thief. The young clerk we
ne Immediately 10 his desk, and as soon
he Mr.. Randall was at liberty, he join
,al him.
b. "You need not open your books Il
ho morning" said The trader.
Is, The young man looked around with ST
re prise. u.s ..r. a.
Ill "Mr, Cunningham" continued Rands
"a 81 have discovered who ii is that has be,
es for so long time rObbingmy money dra'
IS er." s.''.l.. ...t. -..I ...
et "Ahw
Of "Yes sir, ! have trapped him, and y,
rh may judge my surprise upon finding il
nd be none bu, Wilton Cunningham"
"Do You mean me, sirl'' uttered d
yourg man, Stepping down from his ste
N and boldly facing his accuser.