The Placer herald., 1859-07-09

"There must be some mistake" he said to
himself, after he had got away from the
house; and he really believed there was
mistake Il Il II
"Have a glass of soda, Bill! Come, Tom
have glass"
Don't care if do," said Tom and Bill.
"Have some, Ned?"
And Ned said "Yes." So the clerk pre-
pared four glasses of soda for which Walter
Gray paid.
Lets have game of seven up for the
oysters" said Bill, after the days work was
done.
The game was played, and Walter lost, so
he paid five shillngs for four oyster suppers
suppers which none Of them needed and
which did them more hurt than good.
"Have cigar, Walter?" asked Tom.
Walter said yes, and in return paid for
four glasses of ale.
One evening they met after work, and
Ned proposed that they should "toss up" to
see who should pay for the grog.
Come, John-won't you come in?" he
said, addressing John Niles who stood by.
"No-think not" was Johns reply.
YOU'D better. It's only for the grog-
for five, if you come in"
81 can't"
"It's no use to ask him." spoke Walter,
in a rather sarcastic tone. "Ile don't spend
his money in that way"
Johns face flushed, and his lips trembled;
but he restrained the biting words which
were struggling upon his tongue, and turned
and left.
"He's a mean fellow" cried Tom, loud
enough for Niles to hear.
Tight as the bark Of a tree" added Wal
ter.
John Niles heard the remarks, but he did
not come back.
The four remaining men ''tossed up" and
the lot fell upon Walter and Tom. Then
they 'tossed it off," and it fell upon Walter,
who paid four shillings for the grog.
Walter started for home about nine o'clock,
and on the way he was overtaken by Niles.
"Walter," said the latter in kind but
earnest tone. 81 want to speak with you.
You have wronged me this evening, and
wish you to understand me. For the opin-
ions of Bill Smith or Ned Francis, care
not, but do not wish you to misunderstood
me. We live too near together, and would
not loose your good opinion"
"Well-go ahead" returned Walter, who
was sensible of the fact that his companion
was one of the best and kindest neighbors
in the world.
"You said was mean"
"No, no; it was not | who said thatr'
"Wel! you said was tight as the bark
of treen"
Walter could not deny this, so John pro-
ceeded:
81 refused to join you in your little game
for TIN ee reasons either onesof which should
have been sufficient to deter me; first, bad
resolved not to engage in any such games
of hazard; second, did not want any grog;
and third, l could not have afforded to pay
for five extra suppers if the lot had fallen
upon me-"
"Couldn't have afforded it," repeated Wal
ter, with a slight tinge of unbelef in his
tone.
NO." returned the other. 'T could not.
| used to be always ready for any such
game, and thought it would be mean to
refuse; but have learned better. Let me
tell you how l first came to see the folly of
being afraid to spend my money for nothing.
Shall tell you!"
Certainly" returned Walter, who already
began to see something.
"Well," pursued Niles, zone noon, as I
was going away from home, my wife asked
me for five shillings. She wanted to buy
some cloth with it. | asked her if she could
not get along without it, had only fifteen
shillings with me, and | hated to let one
of them co. She said she really needed the
cloth, but if | hadn't got the money to spare
she could wait. know she was disappoint-
ed, but thought she could get along, and
| went away. That evening | went into the
saloon, and we had a fine social time. 1t
cost me just seven and d-six-pence. ! paid
the money willingly without even a thought
of objection-and then went home. When
l entered the hall, heard my wife trying
to pacfy our Oldest child. The little thing
had expected a new dress, which had been
promised her, and felt badly because she
had not got it,"
"Wat,' urged my wife, as the child sob,
bed in her disappointment. Papa hasn't
got the money now; but he'll have some by
and by, and then you shall have pretty
dress Poor papa has to work hard"
"The words smote me to the heart. |
could not afford five shilings to dress my
little child, but could afford any amount
for the useless entertainment Of others. The
crown which my needy wife could not get
when she asked for it, paid away almost
twce.told, for nothing. But it taught me a
lesson. opened my eyes, and have kept
them open. On the very next morning
afforded my wife the crown, but could not
afford any more for the beer man. had
not dreamed how much was wasting; but
when l stopped up that leak and allowed
my funds to flow into their proper channel,
soon found that could afford every rea-