The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1857-02-26

was an old and good customer, and he didn't
wish TO lose himL Of course, when the fowls
came upon the table, c. would discover
that he had been taken in. and would in all pro.
liability be highly indignant. That he was not
far out Of the way in his conjecture, he was sat-
isfed on the next market day, when he saw
c. go by his stand without once looking to-
wards him. ..... ..... ..
In the week succeeding, the farmers evil
genius tempted him still further from the right
path. The whole of his butter with the excep.
tion of some ten Jumps. which were to serve as
a screen when the clerk came along, was mould
ed into prints that weighed considerably less
tan pound. With this, among other pro-
ducts OF his farm. Edmonds went to market,
lattering himself that he would be clear gain
er BY the operation, of from two to three dol
lars. r. ..-.. ......
But human calculations are sometimes vain
Scarcely had farmer Edmonds disposed Of q
dozen pounds OF his fine fresh butter, wh-n the
market clerk stopped before him with his hand
some brass scales in his hand and ssid-"I
guess must go little deeper into your tub
this morning that usual, friend Edmonds.-
There's nothing, you know, like keeping you
folks honest"
There was an instant change in the expression
Of the farmers face, which the clerk did not fail
TO observe. Setting down his basket, with the
air of one who expected TO put something into
it, the clerk laid aside the Jumps that formed
the upper stratum Of butter, aud took print
from beneath. Placing it in his scales in oppo-
siton TO pound weight, it arose instantly to-
wards the receding beam.
That's bad !" said he, removing the lump OF
butter into bis basket, and placing another in thr
scale, which proved as light as its predecessor
and was soon laid by its side. Aud lump after
lump followed, to the grief and chsgrin OF the
exposed farmer. until between thirty and forty
had passed from his tub to the basket Of tile
clerk. During the progress of this scene. little
crowd was attracted, all of whom, from tht
merry newsboy, to the staid Guardian Of the
Poor, who made careful examination of n,
tub to see how much the inmates of the Aims
house were TO gain BY the operation, enjoyed
tn. countryman's modification. He, poor EEL
low, hid his diminished head as quickly as i
could be done after the departure of the clerk
and went back 10 his home little wiser if nj
better.
You met with rather bad accident las
week. said c. to the farmer. He could no
nsst the inclination he felt to see him onct
more
"Why, ye-ycs," stammered Edmonds, color
ing to the eyes. But it wasn't my butter i
was some brought for neighbor.''
"Indeed-was it? Then suppose the butte
I've had from you for the last two months wa
r! from the dairy Of that same neighbor ?"
Edmonds was so confused as this uneXpectaC
question, that he was unable TO reply.
And the tough chickens p added C.
They were your neighbor's also, presume 2"
The farmer turned his back suddenly on hi
customer, and the latter, feeling that he ha
punished him sufficiently, went on his way.
Butter that proves light of weight always be
longs 10 a neighbor.