The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-09-24
slowly away from the home of his child

was interrupted by the hill around which
they were winding, Farmer Fay cholcd
down feeling Of imdefrable dread, and
once again exerted himself to inspire his
son with proper sentiments.
Remember, Smon," said he, "alI is
not gold that glilters.' You are about TO
ming'e with the great world ami the en-
snaring vortex Of town lie"
Arriving at the door of Zero and Murs,
SIMON sprang to the ground with a trcm
bling heart. Zero was tranquilizing him
self with huge scgar, and MINIS was dis.
cuss'ng The merits OF Gripcs as candi-
da'e for constable. Farmer Fay intro.
duced his son to these noiabes, who re-
S"d"d him with pa,romsing stares, and
then proceeded 10 sound tho farmer OH
The snlJcct OF interest al that moment par.
amount; finding he had no objection TO
TrreS. the firm gave their consent to re.
r"'ro Simon on trial. AS lie seemed per-
teciiy ignorant of commercial transactions
--aad 1t was II great risk to trust so Young
iad with the important duties OF their
distinguished frm-it WAS arranged that
SIMON should AT first receive nothing, but
should be promoted rs lis usefulness war
ranici. "F"r y"u krow, Mr.. Fav," said
Minus, "what knowledge your son will
acquire III our concern, and what posi-.
ton it will give him."
Farmer Fay shook hands atfcctiona,cly
with Simon, and directed his horses home
ward. ~ soon as he WAS fairly gone.
Zero t"rncl 10 Simon and ordered him to
fellow John, the porter II was not long
b'tore he commenced his business educa.
cation hy rolling i'll some barrels of pork.
The clerk who attended the counter
having left, Simon WAS promoted in his
l'Icc-the SALARY being cut down to one
fourth of what his predecessor had rcreiv.
el. Being naturally smar, and iudustri
Gus, hc soon became acquainted with all
The mysteries Of pra:sing cal;cocs and
crock"ry. Daylight scarcely became yisi.
hlc before the shutters Of the show win
lows were removed, and il was long after
all the other stores were closed ;lat they
were asa:ued replaced. and Simon's hum.
h'e pallet unroI!ed behind the counter.
where he slept "for the protection Of ,hr
that hc overheard Zero one day admit To
II loungsr, that "Simon was very fair
! boy, and understood proper respect 10
wards Snperiors." He had pleased the
great Zero, and was happy.
The bloom Of 'hcal;h gradually faded
from his cheeks, and lis hands became
While and soft but this afforded him sat
l>tac,on, for he was gI..d to lose the coun
Try look lie had whrn he first came to
town. lnsenSihly he began to initiate the
das!Ilns young gentlemen who occasion.
ally exchanged sentences with him over
the counter when thry came 10 purchase
Kids or crnvats. Such is the progressive
tendency of thc human und, standing.
that his inability 10 wear gold watch
an1 Chain was a source of uulappincss d
him. lie had new received light sum
meT coat, 4 cross barred c.avai, Ceft over
since the last season. and pair OF start
ling pantaloons, instead OF cash, for his
salary; and really he was quite good.
looking fellow. HIS hair WAS luxurani
tnd wavy, his ;ccth white and even, and
li's eyes large and dreamy his form com
"ined elasticity and strength, the result Of
carly exercise and mountain mir. llis
manners also did him credit, although
basllulncss still caused him to smother
much That might have pleased. lie o.
casionally received presents of fruit from
home, which he always clandestineIy
placed in the desks OF his employe ers, nei-
lher Of whom any longer found fault with
hm-excepling when il rained.
Strange though il may seem, Simon's
imagination was powerful; and one ofhis
delights was TO dream OF romantic adven.
lures and impoSsibilites. The Arabian
Nights very nearly gave him fever !;
aud his greatest happiness consisted in
waiting for some princess TO come aud
lead him TO wealth, with which he could
purchase all the blessings of life. Yet il
is not strange after all for he had never
yet received a dollar from any one, and
consequently never left the store, and had
no associates.
Political grocers necessarily have oun
gers about their establishments aud for.
iunatey for themselves, these oilers do
"Vt Always uisSuSS lUc duAlTs Ol tile na-
ton scandal often relieves the monotony.
Ii was on one Of these occasions that ST
mon became 80 interested as 10 forget tn Q
sum Of two and three. They were com.
menting upon the last new kink Of Judge
Jones, who had recently substituted Tor
the brass knobs in his house white porce-
lain. This led to tho members of the
family, and the Young miss especiaIly.-
In spite Of the innuendoes made by sever
al OF the number, so many good qualities
were attributed to the fair Fanny, that
poor Simon found himself fascinated with
the description. lie sat upon his high
stool like pe,rifaciion; nor was he
aroused from his oblivion until the harsh
voice Of y customer demanded the price of
a cowhiie.
a. cowhide" exclaimed Simon.
Yes. don't you besYf"
Eighteen aud three lnartcr cents"