The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1857-02-26
LIGHT WEIGHT.
By t. s. ARTHUR.

II generally happens that those who try to
overreach Others, oveTreach themselves in the
end. This was the case with farmer Edmonds
He was laying up money as fast as any OF his
neighbors, whose means of accumulation were
no greater than his own, and ought TO have been
satisfied and thankful. But. unfortuns tely, The
desires of farmer Edmonds, like those Of great
many other people. were always little in sd
vance of his income. Once week he came,
regularly, 30 the Philadelphia market, distance
of fifteeu miles, with his produce; and he never
ueut home entirely satisfied with the amount
received for his poultry, eggs, butter, fruit or
vegetables, unless prices were at the highest
mark on the scale. The wry face OF a customer
who paid him thirty y-eight cents fos pound Of
butter, or twenty-five cents for dozen of eggs,
was a plessan; rather than disagreesble object
TO his eyes, for, so he won, he cared not far
thing WHO lost.
One day, Mr. c., a well-known citizen,
who had frequently bought from Edmonds, stop
ped at the stall where the farmer exhibited his
various articles for sale, and taking hold Of
pair of fne-looking chickens, asked the price.
Seventy-ive,' replied the farmer.
The chickens were large. and Mr. G. did
not think the price high
"Are they young and tender p he inquired.
"Is it possible" said Elnonds, smiling in
peculiar way, that an old markeler like you
can't tell pair OF young chickeHs2"
Now, Mr.. C. could buy poultry with al
most any one. 1t was not often that tough old
rooster or gobler was passed off upon him; but
tha tLa rds nf farr
completely disarned him. Ofcourse, the chick
ems must te SO tender that the skin would al.
most break from looking at them, and he felt a
little piqued that he had not been able to per-
ceive this instantly; SO lifting them from the
hooks and placing them in his basket, he said
az guess I'll take them"
Ssventy-ive cents were handed over and pocket
ed by the farmer without any compunctions,
notwithstanding the pair Of bipeds sold to Mr..
C. might have belonged to Noah's menagerie
for all the teeth of those who happened to be
called to cot them would be able to tell TO the
contrary.
As O. walked home, he recalled the par
ticulsr expression and tone Of the farmer and q
suspicion that all was not right fitted through
his mind but he had dealt with Edmonds for
years. and though he had always fouod him
close and well up TO the market in prices, he had
never detected him in seeking to gain on advsn-
tage over a customer. He wished, however,
that he had used his own judgment in making
the purchase, instead Of buying on so equivocal
recommendation as that of the farmer
"If these chickens should be tough" he NUT
tered to himself in threatening way, as he
Il. -. l.
money!"
Dinner time came, and Mr.. c. went home
from his place of business. As he sat down tc
the table, large plump pair of chickens were
before him. beautifully Drowned, end their sa
worry odor penetrated the olfactory sense with I
grateful promise Of good things for the palate
The incident OF the morning had left its promi
nent place in the memory, and no suspicion o
toughness was in the mind of Mr.. c. as h
drew. with an active hand. the great carving
knife sthwart the sharpening steel.
"a fine, large pair of chickens" said Mrs
c.. "What did they cost?"
ThIee-quarters."
THAT was not dear
-: thought it reasonable"
"Ifrhey are only tender. Hannah said sh
didn't think they were very young
Well soon know all about that,' remsrke
Mr.. G., a recollection of what had occurre
at the time of their purchase crossing his min
at the moment Driving his fork into the breoi
bone Of them. he held it firm while he cut aroun
wing, and endeavored to sever that Appendss
from the body; but the wing was too firmly hel
in its place by sundry ligamen.s. well develop
ed BY long use, to permit an easy accomplish
ment Of this task. Mr.. c., however, had
strong arm and good resolution, and again
these, aided BY sharp knife. even the wing of
seven year old rooster could not long msintai
defensive. The member at length came ol
but in doing so, was driven over the side Of Il
dish upon the table cloth.
Mr. c. looked at the edge Of his knife
moment.
Ny hnife Slst he vary doll said be, ="