The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-12-09
Buying a Dressing Gown.

"What is tho price of this dressing gown,
sir y asked sweet facnd young girl, enter
ing the elegant store of Messts. Huntlev g.
Warner in city, and tho street shall be
namcless.
1t was q cloudy day. The clorks louugcd
over counters, read papers and yawnod
Tho man to whom Alice Like addressed
herself was juanty and middle.aged. He
was hga Il clerk Of tho extensive establish
mcnt orlIurtlcy s. Warner. and extremely
consequential in his manner to customers.
That dressing gown wo value at six dol
iars-yOu shall have it at five, as trade is
dull to-day"
Five dollars Alice looked at tho drcss.
ing gown longingly, and tho clerk looked at
her. He saw that her clothes, though
mado and worn gentcelly. wcre rather com.
mon in texture, and that hor face was very
handsome. How it changed now shaded,
now heightened by tho various play of her
emotions. That c'erk could almost have
sworn that she had no moro than that very
sum, ,fivo dollars, in hor purse or her pockets
Tho gown was very good one for the
prico 1t was of crimson shade, u tolerablo
merino, and lined with the same material.
II think" sho hositated a moment
"thnk I'll take it," sho said, then seeing in
tho face before her an expression she did
not like, sho blushed as she handed out the
very bill that the clerk had nado up his
mind to receive.
"Jennis," cried Torrent, the head clerk, in
quick. pompous tone, pass bank de-
tcctor.'
Up ran tow-hcadod boy with the pam.
phlct, and up and down ran clerks eyes
| n n M In hn en6
over with a sharp glance. and exclaimed
That's counterfeit bill. Miss"
30, how pale tho sweet face grew"
| Counterfeit ! oh no, it cannot be The
man who sent it cannot be SO careless you
must be mistaken, sir"
I'm not mistaken. I'm never mistaken
Miss. This is counterfeit / must pre-,
sumo of course you did know it. although
so much bad money has been offered us oi
lato, that We intend TO secnro such persons
as pass il. Who did yOn say sont it
"Mr. C, sir, of New York. lie
could not send mo bad money" said the
tromtling frightened cir.
"Humph, humph," said tho clerk.
"Well, there's no doubt of this YOU car
look for yourself Now don't lot me seC
you hero again, until you can bring goot
money, for wo always suspect such people
as you that como on dark days with wei
made story"
But, sir
"You need mako no explanation" sal
the clerk insultingly.
"Take your bill, and the noxt timo yo
want to buy dressing gown, don't attemp
to pass counterfeit money!" and as b
handed it tho bil fell from his hand
Alice caught it from tho floor and spranl
into tho stroet.
Such shock that young girl had move
, received in hor lifo before. II was tho frs
insult sho had over known, and it burned no
cheek and panied her heart. Straightway
, indignant and growing. sho buried to
banking establishment, found her way ir
, and presented the noto to a noblo lookin
. man with gray Fair and prerossessin
appearance. and faltcred on
"IS that bill good one, sir :"
The cashier and his son happened to b
tho only persons present. Both notice
her extreme youth, beauty and agitation
y Tho cashier looked narrowly and handed
!; back, with polite bow, and prolonged lool
d saying
sit is a good bill. young lady,"
81 know it was !" cried Aico with quivcl
ing lip-"and ho to dare"
She could go no further, but eRtiroly ove1
come, she bent her head and tho hot teal
had their way. II beg your pardon-hav
u you had trouble about it, asked the cashier
30, sir, you will excuse mo for givIn
away TO my feelings. but you spoke so kline
lv, and | was so sure it was good And
think, sir. such men as ono of the clerks
Huntly & Warmers should DO remove,
He told me it was counterfeit. and adde
something that if my father heard. don
know but he would have killed him.
know the publisher would not send ba
> money!
= "Who is your father, young lady :" askc
the cashier, becoming very much interested
= "AIr. Benjamin Lake, sir =
X "Bonjamin-Ben Lake-was he ever
clerk in the Navy Department at Washing
= ion :"
"Ycs, sir, wo removed from there" repliC
It Alice. "Since then"-she besitated-"f
has not been wel-and--we arc somewhi
reduced. o, why do toll you these thing
sir Z"
"Ben Lake-reduced," murmnrod ii
cashier, the man who was the making Of m,
Give mo his number and street, my chill
Your father was once the greatest perhaI
the only friend had. have not forgotte
. him. Four Liberty street, will call tn
evening Mannw hiIe let mo have that hill