The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1858-01-09
WHAT'S the Use.2

|
Smith had made purchase of quar-
ter gross box of matches, because" as he
said, 1--WE should study economy in these
times of no business and little money and
these cost only twenty-five cents at whole
sale price. and would cost seventy-hve at
retail"
Jones laughed at the idea, yet he &C
knowledged there was something in it +;
but when he saw Smith carefully mark
ing his name and number on the box. he
grew impatient at the delay, and wanted
to know, whats the use7"
"Why, in case | should lose it, the
| finder would know who it belongs to-"
| Jones laughed immoderately; first at
the supposition that it would be restored
| if lost, and secondly, whats the use,
when your are going right up in the cars
and will carry is yourself? and your mark
| ing it looks as though you didn't know
where you live,and so you put your num-
Der on your purchase to remind you. You
are like the fellow have heard of that
pinned guide-board upon bis hat.
And thercupon Jones INDUCED hugely
in cachination at this explosion OF his
own wit. Smith replied:
True, am going to carry it myself,
but might forget it and leave it in the
car"
ooh. fudge all nonsense! Give it to
me if you are so much afraid of your MEM
Dry; let me carry it."
So Jones became common carrier for
the time being, and the two went home
together and dined comfortably, and by
that time it was dark, and there was a
call for gas-lighta as they came up into the
hall.
'Father, you promised to bring home
some matches, if would not buy any of
the peddler. Did you? Where are they"
"Jones, where are the matches?"
II don't know. Didn't you bring EN-
in?"
"No."
"Thcn, by thunder there left in the
carl
'Then, by rain and mud, you put on
your coat and hat and take an umbrella,
and walk down to 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 carelessness and non-forget-
fitness, to think he had finally done
| Just what he said he should not do.
II say"--as he stood looking out into
the pouring rain, he said-''sha'n't buy
a box like that one, and done with't?"
"What's the use? 1t will cost double
what l paid and besides, that may come
back again"
"Oh, fudge"
That was favorable expression of
Jones; and the idea of the box coming
back, tickled him SO that he laughed all
the way to the corner and back, and for
half an hour afterwards. 1t tickled every
risible in his frame to think that pack
age like that should be restored. He
laughed till he grew fat that night, and
said, "by thunder favorite eX-
preston of Jones-the next day, until he
laughed again and again to think chow
queer !"-not 'what's the use 2" of mar
king bundle; when he read the follow
ing note:
OFFICE Sd AVENUE RAILROAD COMPANY.
NEW YORK, Dec. IL, 1857.
To JOHN SMITH, Eso.-Dear Sir: AL
low me to return to you the accompany
ing package. 1t was found in a Car one
night this week by the conductor.
Seeing your name upon it, | judged it
to be yours, and direct it accordingly
Yours, &C.,
j WoLooTT LAFETRA, Receiver.
"By thunder" said Jones, 81 have
learned three good things. First-it is
of some use to mark bundle Second
That that road 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 bundle. -
~ T. Tribune.
\