Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-31

bargain. Our philosophy will not permit us
to do so.
| little after dusk, as we were sitting in our
sanctun, the young lady came in, with an
apology for intruding and remarked, "You
| bought me the bureau-so the auctioneer in
| forms me-"
eyes, L bought it at an extravaganza price, [
| assure you"
''What did you give?"
''Ten dollars and half"
"You astonlsh me. What can do? | had
no idea that it would bring over three or four
dollars, and am not prepared to pay for it to
night"
Il suppose it was foolish in me to give so
much forit, but presumed you wanted it very
much"
81 did, sir, and would not value paying
double that amount for the bureau, if | were
able, rather than not have it."
80 apprehended. Perhaps it may have
belonged to some friend of yours ?"
Yes, sir, that bureau was once my moth
ers'-and noticed tear come in her eye,
which she endeavored to conceal-''but she is
dead now, and | want to keep it in remem-
brance of her"
Thinking that the lady might be poor, we
told her that she might take the bureau that
night. ii she wished, and pay us when she
found it convenient.
81 am greatly obliged to you for your kind
ness, but had rather you should keep it until
it is paid for"
We urged her to take it, but she refused,
saying Il will see what | can do, and call in
day or two and see you;" and bidding us
good evening, she left:
There is something very serious about this
woman, thought we. 1t may be that she is
poor, and perhaps in very destitute circum-
stances. But she shows an excellent heart
and the warmest attachment to a deceased
mother. Her education must have been
good, and she had evidently seen better days.
And we thought the next time she called upon
us, we would ascertain something more of
her character and circunstances-perha
her name-which we felt deeply anxious to
learn.
In day or two the young woman called
upon US again, and with tears in her eyes, re-
marked:
81 do not know what you will think of me,
but all the money | have in the world is five
dollars; this have brought you towards the
bureau you We're so kind as to purchase for
me-"
So saying she placed the money before me
in silver.
II shall not take the money at present." |
remarked; II can do without it, You nav
take the bureau if you want it, and when YOU
are able, at some future time, you may pay
for it,
She expressed great deal of gratitude, and
said
Il would rather you should take what
have" and nothing that we could say would
induce her to take the money again.
~ on appear to have some affection" we
remarked, as we saw the tears in her ewes. q,
Npt on1, Gin. I
not always been as poor as l am at present:
for have seen better days When nv pa
rents were living [ never knew what it was to
want for anything. Now L cannot say So"
s. H. Is 49, s,eSYi <iSf.rI.
''About six years since my father died; and
it was four years ago last Saturday when my
mother died.
At the mention of her mothers name the
tears came to her eyes-a tender chord was
touched-we saw it and made no more inqui-
rieS-when she took her leave.
1t was nearly six weeks before we saw the
young lady again. She then called upon US
with the remainder of the money that we had
paid for the bureau.
We protested against receiving it at that
time thinking it might have been inconven-
lent for her to pay it. Il am under great Obli-
cations to you for your kindness. Had it not
been for you should not have the bureau
the only relic Of my mother; for it was
then impossible for me to raise the money
you SO generously paid. l shall never forget
your kindness"
''Do you wish to take the bureau away"
81 have spoken to cartman who will call
in a short time and have it removed out of
your way; for suppose you will be glad to
get rid of it,"
''Not at all. l am pleased that | was in
CTR a nf a littla tn, md
you ever need assistance | shall always be
ready to render it."
Il thank you, sir, with all my heart"
At this moment the man came from the bu-
reau, and bidding me good morning, the young
lady left the room
CHAPTER q
''Going, going-will you give me but two
dollars for this excellent bureau?" exclaimed
Mr.. Barley, the auctioneer, year or two
since, as we were passing down Exchange
street. ''Here Mr.. c." he said, turning to
us, ';buy this bureau it's cheap enough; it's
worth more for kindling wood than what it is
going for. Just look at -going-going-
say quick os you lose it."
Two dollars and fifty cents we bid as we
saw it was the very same bureau we had
bought several years before for ten and half
dollars, and it was knocked off to us.
This is singular enough, thought we, as we
had the article carried to Jour room Where
is the young woman who formerly owned it?
Who was she?
We made several enquiries but could not
ascertain who she was or what had become of
her. The bureau had been carried to the
auction room by an individual whom Mr..
Barley never saw before, and all our enquir-
les to ascertain what had become of the young
lady, seemed fruitless.
Several months passed by, and still we
heard nothing of the young lady, when one
day, not knowing but we might get some clue
Of the former owner, we took out all the
drawers separately, and examined them. We
saw no writing whatever. In the back of the
under drawer we noticed n small piece of pine
had been inserted 1t looked as if it had
been put there to stop defect. Frying it
with a knife it came out, when to our aston
ishment we found several gold pieces to the
value of about fifty dollars, besides Il note for
twenty-five hundred dollars, with interest,
made payable to Sarah -, when she should
become of age. 1t was witnessed note and
had been running about ten years, signed by
wealthy man, whose reputation for honesty
is not exceedingly good. Without mentioning
to a single individual what we had discovered,
we Immediately renewed our efforts to ascer-
tain who Sarah - was, and where she could
be found. We learned that a girl of this
name had formerly lived with Capt. -, and
did the work of the kitchen. Of him we
could obtain but little information. His wife
recollected the girl, and spoke of her in the
| l.. i l. Il. ,l.,l, l,,nnr tn1