Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-12-01
SELLING OLD THINGS


it! It's only pine table, that's true; and
it cost but eighteen shillings, twenty-five
years ago; but your ten dollar bill is no
temptation! And III not swap it, either,
for the prettiest mahogany or cherry
table that you can bring me. If it has
four plain turned legs, instead of pillar
in the middle, with lions claws, and if
the marble top is only vanished paper
still, will not sell or swap i'll 1t has
been to me very profitable investment.
From the day it came home it has been
earning dividends and increasing its own
capital. Ny children made play house
and drank tea in their toy cups, under it,
for which l thank the four legs; and when
they got tired Of it that way, they turned
it upside down and made a four post bed
stead, with curtains, or pulled it round
the carpet for sleigh. Then they climb
ed on it for an observatory; and | never
counted the glorious romps they had
round it. And 50 all along for twenty
five years it has paid its dividends of
happiness to my family circle These
dividends never could be separated from
it; but they have become added to it I'M
til its value is not to be told in money.
1t has had its quiet use, also; for nobody
could tell it from round table OF agate
and cornelian, with its salmon bordered
green cover.
Nothing lasts forever. The top of the
table was loosened by the hard use it
got. so | took punch drove in the eight
penny nails below the surface, added a
few screws, puttied them over, and past.
ed marble paper checkers over the top
Then it was really handsome table. 1t
has had hard usage since, but hears it
all. The checkers want renewing, which
will make it worth more yet.
Ny watch is thirty years old 1t is
one of those thick silver levers which
some poor wits call turnips." 1t has
been several times suggested to me that
| might exchange it for thin modern
gold watch, which wears easier in the
pocket. When do, you may set me
down for barbarian! Not the best gold
and jeweed hunter in existence, would
tempt me to a swap. That watch mark
ed the time when my children we're born,
and the record is set down in the family
bible; it has licked in their ears when
they could only speak by laughing at it.
and kicking up their heels. 1t has mark
ed the hours when the doctor medicines
were to be given. and counted their lit
tie pulses when they were low at mid
night, and when the heart ached. 1t h; S
made many records that are fast sealed
up, to be opened only when another time
comes.
Twenty seven years have passed since
my wife and | went out one evening and
bought our tea kettle. The fitting of the
lid was little imperfect, so that the es.
cape Of the steam shook it and caused a
peculiar noise. nearly enough resembling
the chirping of some insects, to suggest
the name by which it has now been
known in the family for very long
time-oqr 'crickct on the hearth" Like
the table and the watch. this kettle has
been adding dividends to its capital ever
since the first day Of its purchase; and
though nothing but iron, could not be
bought for its weight in silver. 1t shas
sung its song so regularly and cheerfuify
tnaC not only lne Hltcneh, DuC tHe Wuotc
house would be lonely without it. 1t
has given US its fragrant blessing night
and morning, and has come almost to be
regarded as living and talkatiYe crea-
ture.
1t is never a good fortune that sells
such old friends out Of family, and
takes in new ones that have no history
and no tongue. In all changes that have
so far taken place, have kept these sill
yer bow Is unbroken. and surely no chan
yes in the future shall break them.-Cen-
tury.