The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-02-22

What is the price of this dressing gown
sirH asked q sweet.faced young girl, entering
the elegant store of Messrs Huntley b War
ner, in a city, and the street shall be nameless.
1t was cloudy day. The clerks lounged
over counters, read papers and yawned. The
man to whom. Alice Lake addressed herself
was jaunty and midde-aged. He was head
clerk of the extensive establishment of Hunt
ley 4 Warner. and extremely Consequential in
bis manner to customers. = grs-ee,g = 20
That dressing gown we value at six dollars
-you shall have i.sat Eve. as trade is dull to.
| day - e. = sss.. -. q. s.5 3
FiVedollars Alice looked at the dressing
gown longingly. and the clerk looked at her.
He saw that her clothes. though made and
worn genteely, were rather common in texture,
and that her lace was very bandsome. How
it changed now shaded. now heightened by
the various play of her emotions. That clerk
could almost have sworn that she had no more
than that very sum, five dollars, in her purse
or 3 ies ~ 5l,0 poeAs'st & 81 eaE ssES -
The gown was very good one for the
price. 1t was of crimson shade, a tolerable
merino, and lined with the same material.
i think she hesitated moment think
I'll take it. she said. then seeing IN the face
before her an expression she did rot ike, she
blushed as she handed out they very bill that
the clerk had made up his mind TO receive.
Esz' Jennis.' cried Torrent, the head clerk, in :
quick, pompous tore, pass hank detector.
Up ran tow headed hoy with the pamph.
let, and up and down ran clerks eyes from
column to column. Then he looked over with
a sharp glance, and exclaimed, +,
That's counterfsit bill, Miss
j Oh. how pale the sweet face grew e
:, Counterfeit oh no, il cannot be The
4 man who sent it cannot be so careless; yoy
must; be mistaken. sir. 115 . Is
a rm not mistaken I'm never mistaken
/. Mlsa This is counterfeit. must presume
: of course. you did not know it. although Sc
{ much bad money has been offered Us of late
3 that we intend to secure such persons as pas
q it. Who did you say sent itf'
Mr.. CT. sir, of New York.. He coult
3 not send me bad money said the trembling
a girl. frightened. 7 q = 70. g g s.. &,
. Humph, humph, said the clerk. ,l.sss
# = Well there's no. doubt of this; you cal
II look fer yourself. Now, don't let me see 20,
s here again pnth syou can bring good money
Z for weqlgays suspect such people as you,tha
ceme on ,dark,days with well made story >
al But, sir-,sssssssss ssRAsAe
,s. Y on need make DO explanation said th
# clerk, insultiDgiy. 95I 4 =
'e Take your. bill, and the next time 20
g want to buy dressing gown, don't attempt t
>. pass counterfeit money. and as be handed ii
y the bill fell from bis hands. @
+, Alice caught it from tie floor and spran
v into the street.
,eI Such shock that young girl had never n
re Eceived in her life before 1t was the fifst il
Is suit she had ever known, and it burned b,
cheek and panied her heart. Straightwa
Mt indignant and grievibg, she hurried to banl
n ing establishment, found her way in, and pr
y sented the note TO noble looking man vii
ne gray hair and prepossessing appearance, ar
It faltered On.
IN ls that bill good one, siri'
I'D The cashier aud his son happened to be Il
N only persons present. Both noticed her e
OF treme youth, beauty and agitation. The cas-
ne ier looked narrowly and handed it back vii
nd polite bow, and prolonged look, saving
lat It is good BILL young lady -
Il knew it was 7 cried Alice, with quive
'h ing lip and he to dare
~ =. She could go no further. but entirely ovs
sts come, she bent her head and the hot tcs
ID had their way.
Ice I beg your pardon-have you had trout
sat about iti' asked the cashier. #--afv
Of %, sir, you will excuse me for giving "
= to my feelings, but you spoke SO kindly, an,
Twas so sure it was good !! And l think, 8
q -5sz s.E-s sItssg 41Ef So