New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-05-13

the late Mr.. Grulder, were to be sold off upon |
that very day without reserve. Isaac's whole |
frame underwent a strange thrill, and he turned |
hastily back to the head Of the paragraph, to
assure himsen that the sale had not already |
taken place. No, but it was going on that mo- |
ment perhaps, at that very instant, the old |
bureau was being knocked down to some min
terested, unsuspecting stranger, who, ignorant
Of its value, would thrust it carelessly into A
chamber corner, and allow it to become the
head quarters Of venerable rats! He leaped
from his seat quickly, throwing poor Gorby into
n perfect state of palpitation, ran from his shop
like one mad, rushed to his stable, tackled his
horse, put him into the light cart, and (an ex-
traordinary event,) before starting, actually
kissed his wife and Noke Zone on the brow, the
other on the nose,) who believed that he had
taken leave of his senses, and followed him out,
to learn whittier he was going, and what his
business was
Ask no questions cried Isaac; ss have no
time to stay now; minutes delay might make
me miserable man for life. Don't detain me
there-there,'' and away went the saddler as
fast as his horse could gallop. He had no sooner
got out of sight than Mrs. Lanks dropped in,
and Gorby being overlooked, he withdrew pri-
vately to an adjacent greengrocer's shop, and
brought back about two quarts Of sour goose
berries, which afforded him healthy and agreea-
BILE occupation for the remainder Of the day.
Isaac Terrett's little horse galloped stoutly
for distance of two miles, and then he stopped
at hill but his master belabored him all the
way up the hill, and for a mile or two beyond
it, until atlepgth the poor animal went at the
same pace out of pure ferocity, and then stopped
in a foam near the crowded residence Of the de-
ceased Mr.. Grulder. The auctioneer was
knocking down the lots very fast. Isaac Tel
rett's heart beat. He got catalogue, and
looked tremblingly over it. They had not come
to the bureau, which figured as Lot 80. He
grew calmer, and sat down. The saddler, as
have remarked before, was a shrewd man, and
had considered his part. He began to bid for
almost everything that was put up, and pur-
chased many barf aims. He even bought new
set of pony harness for six pounds. People took
him for a broker, and let him buy without op-
position. Chairs, tables, pictures, books, fire.
arms, anything-it was all the same to Isaac !;
bob went his head, and down fell the hammer
The auctioneer got quite in the habit of looking
into the corner where the saddler sat, and say
ing to his clerk, .s Mr.. Terrett-that was Mr.
Terretts lot, Samuel" and once or twice q
rather facetious old gentleman in figured
satin waistcoat and cloth boots amused the
company by saying, &c It's of no use your look
ing to me cannot oppose Mr.. Terrett''} By
and by, however, lsaac's curiosity grew s.
| overpowering that he felt constrained to slip
silly from the room in which the sale was going
IL.
of Mr.. Grulder's study. The old housekeeper
was packing up trunk; she had her back to
| him. He watched her for a second or two
nodded his head, smiled pleasantly, and retired
" She has no suspicion whatever" mumbled
| Isaac, as he descended the stairs, nor have
| those worthy executors" Still he felt anxious,
and his anxiety increased with each minute
| that elapsed.
At length the auctioneer and his retinue en-
| tered the room which was known as the study
| of the late Mr.. Grulder. Isaac came saunter-
successfully disposed Of
| "Come now, Mr.. Terrett, give me a biddin,
for this neat little bureau said the auctioneer
waggishly and all the company laughed, for i
was an antiquated affair, WORTH in their estima
tion, about a crown-piece. Come-anythin
you please, Mr. Terrett. Shall we say tie
guineas - and here there was another laugh
. Isaac cast contemptuous glance upon tn
, | bureau, shrugged his shoulders, shook his hea'
4 and arose, apparently with the intention
I leaving the room. swell, at all events, obi,
e US by putting it up Say as many shillings
s Oh, as you please said Isaac, '' if you b
/ leve it to be worth the money" and the burea
was put up at that sum-
ii should not be surprised if it contane
some secret drawers" said the auctoneer
, open it and let US see the inside" and tn
, bureau was opened accordingly. Isaac Tel
rett's brow broke out into cold perspration q
he saw the fingers of the clownsh porter ROY
round the spot where he suspected the hidde
spring to lurk and, affecting to take an inter
, est in the piece Of furniture, he pushed the ma
: aside, and pulled out an empty drawer or tw
himself.
sit is completely worm eaten, p he said, " an
, l fear fit for nothing but frewood. l bid yo
, ten shillings, think; make haste, some bod,
and outbid me, or my wife will laugh, and
f shall never hear the last of it, and he turnG
negligently away. Down went the hamme
a and Isaac thought the most pleasant and mus
cal words he had ever heard we're those whit
t saluted his ear at that moment, and which we
to this effect: s' That is Mr.. Terretts lot agai
d Samuel; now to the next" Isaac sat down al
+. thought he should faint The instant the roo
was cleared he locked the bureau, and put Il
!. key in his pocket. He longed to peep into IL
!, secret drawers, but the act would, if observe
have drawn down suspicion upon himself, ar
g he wisely forebore. He inquired whether
might remove his purchases
: "Not till tomorrow" replied the auotionee
&c but you may take the old bureau, if yC
like !" and the joke was considered SO good
" one that everybody laughed again.
81 will take you at your word," return'
a Isaac who bore all this ridicule with charI
d ing grace and having lodged ten pound no
e with the clerk, by way Of deposit on the goo
he had purchased, two rough fellows assist
), him down stairs with the old bureau, and
drove joyously away.
As soon as Isaac Terrett had left the hou
h that had lately been occupied by the deceas
N Mr.. Grulder about three miles behind him,
stopped his light cart in quiet green lal
p and, seeing that nobody was near, with a p
e. pitating heart and trembling hand unlocked
bureau He fumbled for the secret spring
Ia vain he pushed his thumbs against every pi
nj of the side, back and bottom Of the upper ca
h. ties, but without any satisfactory result
N persevered in the endeavor for upwards
,r twenty minutes, and then, observing that ca
to rage approached, he locked the bureau
n. again hastily, and pushed on homeward.
ID Mrs Lanks had, as usual during the saddle
Is absence, been taking tea with Mrs. Terre
ID who, not having been able to solve the myste
i'd attendant upon Isaac's abrupt departure, a
ID the strange words he made use Of as he leap
ly into his cart, had laid the matter before
ly frienl Mrs. Lanks and there these two ladi
re together with Noke, the straight wasted, We
lg busily discussing it, while Gorby sat eating
a way steadily through the centre of long thi
at slice of bread and hutter, and strokng his une
I'd gagged hand down the front of his leathern apr
to at intervals As this little domestic circle W,
lg thus occupied, Isaac drew up at the door, al
passing through his shop, looked into the sn
parlor at the back. He was in an excell'
at humor, and even wished Mrs Lanks good day
NO piece of politeness quite unusual with HI