The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1863-07-03
THE OLD BU REAU.
CHAPTER I.

when we heard a female voice inquir-
ing, rs this bureau to be sold to-dal?'
On looking up we perceived that the
question had been addressed to us by
a young lady, whose sad but pleasant
countenance struck us at once. We
replied that all the articles spread up
on the sidewalk would be disposed of
to the highest bidder.
81 should like this bureau iii goes
low enough" she said, pointing to an
old fashioned article that was stand
ing among the other furniture, "but
l never bought anything at auction in
my life, and l see no women here, |
don't know as it would be proper for
me to bid"
ut wonld be perfectly proper" we
remarked, "but if you wish it, win
bid off the bureau"
"1f you will, sir, will be greatly
obliged to YOU"
"How high are you willing TO go?'
81 don't know exactly how much it
is worth, but if it sells for three or
four dollars you may buy it."
"Shall | speak to hand -cartman
to leave it at your housef'
"No sir, | will call at noon and set
tie for it and take it away. am very
much obliged to you for your kind
ness"
80 saying the lady went away, leav-
ing us to wonder who she was and of
what use the old bureau could he to
her. We examined it, took ont the
drawers, but sew nothing remarkable
about it. At eleven o'clock, when
the auction commenced, we were pres
ent, and after waiting nearly on hour,
the auctioncer remarked: 1--WE will
now sell the bureau. What will YOU
give me gentlcmen?" One man offer
ed two dollars, another three, and we
bid a half dollar more. Four dollars
were bid--four md q half and five
dollars. We were astonished that
the old thing should bring such n
price. What could we do-soe it
sold, and disappoint the lady? The
thought struck us that it might have
belonged TO some friend, and she
wished to purchase it on that account,
and rather than disappoint her, we
resolved to lid again. The bureau
run up to ten dollars, and we purchas-
ed it for half q dollar moro. Certain
~ we should not have given four dol
lars for it to use ourself. However,
we bought it, and had it sent to our
room, telling the auctioneer that if q
lady called for it. to inform her where
it might be found. We examined
it again, and began to regret orr pur-
chase, feeling almost certain that the
young woman would not thank us for
what we had done; but we never
: mourn over bad bargain. Our phi
D. losophv will not permit us to do so.
A little after dusk, as we were sit
ting in our sanctum, the young lady
came in, with AN apology for intrud-
t ing, and remarked:
"You bought the bureau--so the
, auctioneer informs me-
"Yes, I bought it an extravagant
: price, I assure YOU"
"What did you give?''
"Ten dollars and a half"
"You astonish me. What can I do!
] had no idea that it would bring ovel
, three or four dollars, and am not pre-
pared to pay for it tonight"
II suppose it was foolish in me tC
give so much for it, but I presumed
you wanted it very much"
/, ~ did sir, and would not value pay
: ing double the amount for the bureau
: if | were able, rather than not have it,
: $50 l apprehended. Perhaps i
may have belonged to some friend o.
c yours?'
, "Yes sir, that bureau was once my
!, nother's'-and noticed a tear com,
in her e, which she endeavored t,
y conceal-"but she is dead now, and
- want to keep it in remembrance o
her"
Thinking the lady might be poor
we told her that she might take tn
- bureau that night, if she wished, an,
pay us when she found it convenient
Il am greatly obliged to you 70
your kindness, but olld rather vo
should keep it until it is paid for"
- We urgel her to take it, but sh
refused saving:
= II win see what l can do. and ca
in day or two and see you," an
u. bidding us good evening, she left.
70 There is something very myster
.i ous about this woman, thought we =
1t may be that she is poor, and pei
ne haps in very destitute circumstance.
.s But she shows an excellent heart, an
the warmest attachment to decea.
= ed mother. Her education must hay
Is, been good, and she has evidentI
ne seen better days. And we though
o. the next time she called upon us, "
ee would ascertain something more
~ her character and circumstances :
. perhaps her name-which we fe
- deeply anxious to learn.
H., In day or two the young woms
., called upon us, and with tears in h,
y eyes, remarked:
an 81 do not know what you will thin
us of me, but all the money | have in Il
nn rS world is five dollars; this have brc
er you towards the bureau you were
kind as to purchase for me-" SO sa
ing, she placed the money before n
- in silver.
81 shall not take the money at pre-
o y ent' we remarka1 ct CON do u,;tb -