Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-01-06
WHATS THE USE

smith had made purchase of a quarter gross
Dox OF matches, /" because as he said, e we
should study economy in these times of no
business and little money, and these cost only
twenty-five cents at Wholesale price, and would
cost seventy-five at retail - = ..a.'
Jones laughed at the idea vet he acknovl-
edged there was something in it; but when he
saw Smith carefully marking his name and
number on the box, he grew impa tient at the
delay, and wanted to know, Nv hats the use?"
" Why, in case should lose it, the finder
would know who it belongs to-
Jones laughed immoderstely; first at the sup
position that it would be restored If lost. and
secondly, What's the use, when You are going
right up in the cars and will carry it yourself?
and your marking ii looks as though you didn' t
know where you live, and so you put your mum.
ber on your purchase to remind you You arc
like the fellow L have heard of that pinned
guide-board upon his hat"
And thereupon Jones INDUCED hugely in
cachination at this explosion Of his own wit.
Smith replied
. True, am going 10 carry it myself. but
might forget it and leave it in the car"
''Oh, fudge, all nonsense, Give il to me, if
you are so much afraid of your memory; let me
carry it,
SO Jones became q common carrier for the
time being, and the two went home together and
dlned comfortably, and by that time il was
dark. and there was a call for gas light as thew
came up into the hall
Father, you promised to bring home some
matches, if l would not buy any of the peddler.
Did you? Where are they ?"
Jones, where are the Matches '''
&" don't know. Didn't you bring 'em in 20
Then. by thunder they re left in the CARO-
Then, by rain and mud, you put on your
coat and hat, and take an umbrella, and walk
down 70 the corner and get a two cent box-for
there is not one in the house"
Jones obeyed orders, for he felt a little down
In the mouth, after Dragging so much of his
carefulness and non-forgetfulness, to think he
not do.
81 say as he stood looking out into the
pouring rain, he said sha'n't buy box
like that one, and done with't,'
Whats the use2 1t will cost double what
L paid; and besides, that may come back
again.
.'Oh, fudge"
That was fsvorite expression of Jones'; and
the idea Of the box coming back, tickled him 50
that be laughed all tho way to the corner and
back, and for half an hour afterward 1t
tlckled every risible in his frame to think that
package like that should be restored He
laughed till he grew fat that night and said,
:. by thundcr''-another fayorite expression of
JOnes-the next day, until he laughed again
and again to think how queer.''-not what's
the use :" of marking bundle, when he read
the following note
OFFICE 3D Avenue RAILROAD CoMpAxY,l
NEW YORK, Dec. IL, 1857
10 JOHN SAITH, EsQ.-Dear SIR Allow me
20 return to you the accompanying package
IL was found in car one night this week by
the conductor.
Seeing your name upon it, judged it to be
yours, ana direct it accordingly Yours, &c,
j. WoLCoTr LAFEnsA, Receiver
+" By thunder" said Jones, Z" 1 have learned
three good things. First-It is Of some use to
mark a bundle. Second-That that road will
make ten times the value Of that bundle out of
me for returning it. Third-The most careful
person may sometimes be careless, and then he
will learn what's the use to mark a bundle.''
". T. Tti5Xu.