Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-11-07

ued to sell the basket-the bids ranging from
five to fifty dollars-until within forty-6ve
minutes we sold the basket for siz hundred
and fifty dollars; and left the house with
the money in our pocket. and the basket on
our arm.
A few days after this, we went to W,
a wealthy town in the western part of the
State, to present the claims of the College.
We found, however, on entering the town,
that the report of the basket agent" had
preceded US. A friend of ours Informed US
that Col. F. residing short distance in the
country, had publicly boasted that be "wo'd
have some sport with that agent. if he came
to town, and that he would have his basket
for less than twenty dollars.
Col F. having ty marriage recently came
into possession OF a valuable plantation, and
large force of coutrabands,' was very
fond Of making parade Of his wealth upon
all occasions, to the no little annoyance OF
the community We were assured that the
C. lionel would be at the lecture in the even
ing.
When we went to the town hall, we found
it literally "jammed." After talking awhile
upon the subject of education as connected
with the prosperity of the land. and present
ing the claims of the college, We put up cur
basket at anction once more.
We had scarcely commenced TO cry it off,
when some one with a squeaking voice from
the back part of the hall. called out to US:
" Ho stranger, bring your basket back
here; we must emamine it; We don't want
to buy pig in poke"
From the description given, we readily
concluded that it must be the veritable COL
onel. So we at once made our way to him,
and on handing him the basket remarked
This is not very ornate art icle. but it has
this redeeming quality. it is home manu-
ufactured basket; none of your northern +"
imported truck.
This was hapry hit. for even then the
Old D. ominion was down on " Yankee notions. u
The Colonel took the basket, and after exam
ming il for few moments, handed it back
sayirg:
"Well, sir, zee nothing remarkable
about that basket; but i. certainly has quite
q history, and should like to have it, and
if We can come to terms will buy it, but
want you to understand distinctly. that
make no child's bargain, if buy it | intend
to keep it."
Very we'll if these are the terms on which
you propose to trade, we must tell ysu what
we thirk the basket is worth.
"What is your figure ?"
"One thousand dollars, sir )" for we sup
pose that if the Colonel wanted to make .
display of bis m ney, he would at least give
up this eum, but looking quizzically at US, be
replied;
!" A little to steep stranger"
Well, now we have said what We would
take. let US bear what you viii give.
"I'u give you ten dollars in gold for your
basket"
Generous magnanimous we replied,
and stepping out into the aisle, RELAXED an
anecdote, which MAS peculiarly adapted to
his case.
When he had finished. we looked at the
Colonel and found him bushing ell over his
face. he looked as though be bad "ceught a
Tartar" The audience was in e1tacies over
&L~ nolor.p, d;s.o,,6,,ra Iudoa nv s;t,;n
by MIN said. Come Colonel your in for il
now give this gentleman thousand dollars
for his basket. or he'll givs you the benefit OF
another anecdote" Csrtainly, we remarked.
We have another in point, and commenced to
relate it
Stop; ;"-cried the Colonel, and
handing us hundred dollar bill said-"hsre
take this and keep your basket. and say no
more about it."
We took the bill from the Colonel, and
thanking him politely, returned to the plat
form, where we found such ready sale for
our basket, that in less than an hour we sold
it Tor seren hundred and fifty dollars
On a subsequent occasion, we sold it for
four hundred and ten dollars, making in all
eighteen hundred and fifteen dollars, the net
proceeds of our Willop Basket.
The time having arrived for US to leave the
"sacred SOIL" We donated the basket to q
lady friend of ours, and returned to our
northern home, having at least earned the
sobriquet of the Basket Agent"
HUllidaysburg, Pa, Oct. 10th, 1861.