Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-09-04
Nj | S G f l. l. 4 n Y
THE COUNTERFEIT DOLLAR

A richly dressed lady, followed by man
servant, stopped at market-stall one Sat
urday, and bought II pair OF chickens of the
old huckster woman. The lady offered
five dollar bill which the huckstcr could
not change. A man making some purchases
at the same time, offered to obllge the
huckster by taking the bill, and giving five
gold dollars for it. lie gave them to her,
and she returned the just change to the
lady.
The latter had not walked square be.
fore she discovered that one OF the gold
coins was counterfeit. She took it back to
the market woman, who insisted upon her
taking Il good dollar instead, saying that
she would see the man who had given 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 to
ask if the woman had yet seen the man who
had given her the counterfeit dollar.
Laws, no, honey was tho reply. |,
wasn't going to let you keep it, being a.
you are my best customer a; hut | Just
passed it 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 Off
i am very sorry it is going any further,
said the lady. i came here on purpose to
get it, and destroy it. | thought | could
better afford to lose it than many another.
Now | shall always be sorry did not do
my duty when had it in my power.
Laws, then | wish I'd a kept it, for Peg
BLY,, who gin it to, will likely pass it off
on some poor body and it does seem fair
J. ,bn b,t lo
lost, anyhow. ] will just see if Peg has
got it yet if you're willing to wait a bit.
No-Peg had not got it She would
have scorned to keep it 30 long. But
choosing her victim with some discretion
among those she called the big bugs, she
gave it to middle-aged man, whose fingers
were so cold that he was less particular in
examining his change than usual. Arriving
at home, he found the dollar bad, but
could not remember at what stall he had re
ceived it SO in great indignation at the
dishonesty of those hucksters, he had to
make up his mind to pocket his loss.
lie went to church regularv-or rather
to Methodist meeting-but of all things
he hated the poorplate which was passed IA
round for contributions every Sunday
Yet he generally put something into it, be
cause folks eyes were upon him. The
next Sunday when it came round, he ma
liciously put therein the counterfeit dollar
There, thought he, you are welcome tc
that
lie did not blush, or look, or feel as
hamed. Observers would never know tht
cheat. However, when the preacher reaC
in the Blble-lesson about Ananias ant
Sapphira, he had to comfort himself will
the remembrance that the are for miracle
is past.
That afternoon lady called upon him
and complained that a counterfeit dollar
which she had given to such huckster
had been transferred to another, who ha'
given it to him. She had come to redeem
that dollar, as her conscience troubled hel
about it, and she supposed it was still IL
his possession, OF course.
The avaricious man always took grca
care of his reputation, lie protested tina
the market-woman must have been msta
ken as he could show her every gold dolla
in the house. aud they were all good. Sh
must have given it to some other man.
The lady was so sure, that she hesitJ
ted, and was inclined to urge the matter
when the unlucky wife said to her hu
band,
"George, you put a gold dollar on IL
poor plate. That must have been it,
Shame and anger sutiused his face. br
he said plausibly, 80, perhaps So ! di
not think of that Now what pity,
should have observed more closely, But
will make it up another time
Il feared it would be so. 1t haSe gon
TO the poor, who can least boar Its loss
said the lady sadly. But it Is my iaul
and must trace it out. Who is your pa
tor, sir
.I. Ia