Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-12-02

4INs
ketchem and Crocus sat alone in the
Once awaiting the coming of custom,
while Skinem had gone on the street to
make dollar or so by small shave
Crocus smoked cigar, while Ketchem sat
staring at a sun spot that had somehow
found its way through the dingy atmos-
phere Of Pinchpenny Row. They waited
patiently for business.
The heavy door of the office was shaken
and in stalked Eaton, Mr.. Ketchem's house
servant. Now, would like to describe
this same Eaton, but he was perhaps the
uglest negro that eyer sprang from the
sable stock, and to correctly portray such
parsonage is no easy task, as YOU very
well know. | will not attempt to describe
Eaton, other than to say he was ugly as
the ugliest, loved good jokes and glorifed
good victuals.
"Well, Eaton" said Ketchem, "what evil
wind blowed you over here this morning ?"
"An please sa', yer humble sa'vant, de
two Missus Kitchens bin shoppin dis
mornin' an dey see some berry fine-fux
um fine shawls just reported from de East,
and only three hundred apiece. Dey tell
me bring you dis note, as dey want de
shawls right away for dc Crismus Op'ra."
Ketchem takes the note, and, after look
ing q few minutes over his spectacles at
MANSION, TUESDAY MORNING..
DEAR PA:-We have just priced two
beautiful shawls at Lassiters new store
only three hundred apiece, if cashed. You
will say they are lovely when you see them.
(No doubt Of it) We wish to secure them
Immediately, as they are selling very fast
they being just imported and very fash
ionable.
Your affectionate daughters,
CLARA,
KITTY.
S.-You will please send check by
Eaton.
II won't please to do any such thing,
said Ketchem, after he had read the note
while Eaton was feasting his eyes on tn,
little pile of gold SO nicely built on tn
counter Aftera few minutes Ketchem SAID
"Eaton."
aver sa'vant sa'."
"Go home and tell Mrs. Ketchem that
shall dine out to-day and will not be HON
until tea"
ayes sa' | will go right away, but
like to have forgot my arrant-de none,
ifyou please, sa, an | will 60"
"Thc money the fnries, woody head, 9
do as bid YOU" stormed Ketchem.
II will for sartain, right now"
Eaton leaves the Office hastily, mute
inc to himself as he closes the door, g
I'll ,ll h, W.
at all dis fummux."
"Did YOU ever think would be so pc
picked as all this, Crocus 2" said Ketchel
Crocus mods.
"Why don't you speak ?"
al did"
saint it too bad though, Crocus 7"
IL don't know"
"What do you knowP
"Nothing."
"Anthing else, Crocus ("
Crocus mods.
"What else do you know, Croaker
words as we'll as name I"
81, Crocus, do know that for once,
least, draft has left the famous counter
Ketchem and Skinem unpaid"
"What draft do you mean!"
"Your daughters"
a pay no such drafts. See here, Croc
can you boTowp
''On good names | can"
"Well, take this blank and 90 borl
for Ketchem and Skinem ten thousan
90 to old Graft"
81 will try"
In short time Crocus returned.
"What luck Crocusl Did you
Craft Did you get the money!
Crocus shakes his head.
"What did he say, Crocus"
'eHe told me to go to bigger fool
he was"
"And where did you go then 7"
oI came to you--for further ord
"Put your words closer together, Or
Here, 90 now to Scrape and Scratchem
try them for the amount We must
money"
Crocus went away and returned il
incredibly short space Of time.
"What now Crocus What did
say {"
"Thcy said was fool and you "
greater one"
sand what did you say"
"Nothiag"
awhat did you do then 2"
II nodded"