Litchfield enquirer., 1862-10-16
nlisfellar,D.
THE OLD BUREAU.


 Where'er a single human breast,
 Is crush'd by pain and grief,
 There would 1 ever be guest,
 And sweetly bring relief.
 As we were passing down Exchange street several days ago, We stopped in front of an auc tion to examine the various articles that were exposed to be sold under the hammer We had been there but few moments when we heard a female voice inquiring, Is the old bureau to be sold to-day?" On looking up. we perceived that the question had been addressed to US by young lady, whose sad but pleasant counten- ance struck us at once. We replied that all the articles spread on the sidewalk would be disposed of to the highest bidder.
 Il should like this bureau, if it goes low enough she said, pointing to an old-fashioned article that was standing among the other fur niture; but never bought anything at auction in my life, and see no women here don't know as it would be proper for me to bd?"
 "lt would be perfectly proper,' we remark ed; but if you wish it, I will bid off the bu- reau."
 "If you will, sir, I shall be greatly obliged to you"
 How high are you willing should go?"
 II don't know exactly how much it is worth but if it sells for three or four dollars you may bup it."
 "shall speak to haud-cartmsn to leave it at your house r
 No, sir, will call at noon and settle for it and take itaway. I am very much obliged to you for your kindness"
 So saying, the young lady went away, lea wing us to wonder who she was, and of what use the old piece of furniture could be to her. We examined it, took out the drawers, but saw nothing remarkable aboutit. At eleven o'clock when the auction commenced, we were present and after waiting near an hour the auctonee1 remarked, "We will now sell the bureau, What will you give me, gentlemeni" One man off cred two dollars another three, and we bid a half a dollar more. Four dollars were bid--foul and a half and five dollars. We were astonish ed that the old thing should bring such high price, What could we do, see it sold and disap point the lady? The thought struck us that il might have belonged to some friend and she wish ed to purchase it on that account, and rather than disappoint her, we resolved to bid again. Six dollars were offered by another to our astonish- ment but when our hand was in, we seldom let another out.bld us, and so we offered until the bureau was npfto ten dollars--and we pur. chased it for half dollar more. Certainly we would not have given four dollars for it to use ourselves. However, we bought it, and had il sent to our room, telling the auctioneer that i a lady should call for it, to inform her where il might be found. We examined it again and again, and began to regret our purchase, feeling almost certain that the young woman would no thank us Tor what we had done but we nevel mourn over bad bargain. Our philosophy will not permit us to do so. 1 A little after dusk, as we were stt;no in or, sanctum, the young lady came in, with an apolop, for intruding, and remarked, :" You bought tn, burean-so the auctioneer informs me-"
 Yes, bought it at an extravagant price, assure you"
 "What did you give '"
 "Ten dollars and g half."
 "Yoq astopish ne. What can do I ha no ides it would bring over three or four dollar and am not prepared tQ pay for t tq night"
 "Isuppose it was foolish in me to give so muc for it; but presumed you wanted it very much
 q did sir, and would not value paying doubl