Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-12-10
guieFlsting storl].
THE COUNTER D
DOE, : "A! |,

"A rich dressed lady, followed by man
u servant stopped at a market stall on
Saturday, and bought pair of chickens
of the old huckster woman. The lady Of
fered five dollar bill which the huckster
could not change. A man making some
purchasers at the same time, offered to
oblige the huckster by taking the bill
and giving five gold dollars for it. He
gave them to her, and she returned the
Just change to the lady.
The latter had net walked square be
fore she discovered that one of the colo
coins was counterfeit. She took it back
to the market woman, who insisted upor
her takiug good dollar instead, saying
that she would see the man who had giver
her the bad one, the next time he passed
and make him take it back.
Quite willing not to lose the dollar, the
lady consented. A few days afterwards
she passed the stall again, and stopped tC
ask if the woman had yet seen the maj
who had given her the counterfeit dollar
g Laws, no honey" was the reply. q
wasn't going to let you keep it, being as
you are my best customer; but / past il
the very next time had to make change
and no fuss. Never you mind, honey, the
woman as gave it to, served me the very
same trick, last week. / was glad to get
a chance to pay her of"
[ am very sorry it is going any fur
ther." said the lady. | came here on pur-
pose to get it, and destroy it. | thought
[ could better afford to lose it Than many
another. Now I shalt always be sorry !
did not do my duty when had it in my
| power"
Laws, then I wish Ia kept it, for Peg
Bly,. who I gin it to. will likely pass it of
on some poor body, and it does seem fair
that the big bugs should lose what must
be lost, anyhow. | will just see if Peg has
got it yet, if yol're willing to wait a Bit
No--Peg had not got it?' She would
have scorned to keep it so long. But
choosing her victim with some discretion
among those she called big bugs, she gave
it to middle aged man, whose fingers
we're so cold. that he was less particular
in examining his change than usual. Ar
irving at home. he found the dollar bad
but could not remember at what stall he
got it: SO in great Indignation at the dis
honesty Of those hucksters, he had made
up his mind to pocket the loss.
He went to church regularly-or rath
er to Methodist meeting of all things
he hated the poor plate, which was
passed around every Sunday for contribu
ton. Yet he generally put something in
to it, because folks eyes were upon him
| No nor, 4
malciously put therein the counterfeit
dollar, There" thought he, "you are
welcome to that"
He did not blush, or look, or feel
ashamed. Observers would never know
the cheat. However, when the preacher
read in the Bible lesson about Ananias
and Saphira, he had to comfort himself
with the remembrance that the age for
miracles is past.
That afternoon lady called upon him
and complained that a counterfeit dollar
which she had to given to such bucks
ter, had been transferred to another who
had given it to him. She had come to
redeem that dollar, as her conscience
! troubled her about it, and she supposed
it was still in his possession of course.
The avaracious man always took great
care of his reputation. He protested thai
the market woman must be mistaken, as
he could show her every dollar in the
house, and they were ali good. She mas
have given it to some other man.
1 Thelady was SO sure that she hesitated
and was inclined to urge the matter, when
the unlueky wife said to her husband!
George, you put gold dollar on the
poor plate. That must be it,
Shame and anger suffused his face
but he said plausibly, Oh perhaps so!
did not think Of that; now what pity! ]
should have observed more closely. Blu
/ will make it up another time"
:" feared it would be so. 1t has gone
to the poor, who can least bear its loss,
said the lady sadly. BUTT is my fault
and I must trace it out. Who is your
pastor, sir?"
4 Being informed, the preserving lad
! called back upon him.
70 go back little. When the deacor
Mhateyer he may be called, saw the lit
ID gold coia deposited amidst the copper
HanG small silver on the plate he was pass
ing around the meeting, he was reloiced
and as he was also treasurer, he took th'
amount home and placed it in the fund
The ministers of that church are supper
ted altogether by voluntary contributions
and the time being come for paying tn,
allowance to their pastar, it was counted
out, and to make change, some money wa
taken from the poor fund, the counterfeit
/. dollar being part of it,
I The. good man received his pittancl
with JOY which was shared by his need,
wife, and their nice children. There va