The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-11-25
fnr the fireside Clair.
CHEAP FOR CASH.
CHAPTER I.

4
+ fss.s 5:s CHAPTER I. @ e53
.Uncle Simon will be here next week.
said Mr. Joseph johnson, as he entered the
sitting-room of his house in the suburbs OF
Boston, one. cold November afternoon.
So soon ?'' queried Mrs. Johnson
"There are a dozen things want to do be-
fore he comes Uncle Simon is a great man,
and our house is hardly in condition to receive
him.
Uncle Simon is sensible man, and he
doesn't believe much in show; at least !
don't think he does'' -
"But our carpets are in horrible condition,
and our chairs are half of them broken, and
all of them look as though they were sent for
and couldn't come. We were going to have
new carpets, new chairs, and some other new
things, in the spring; and we might as well
have them now as them"
= : 1 think we had though can't afford to
spend much forlsuob things replied Joseph,
struggling his shoulders "Uncle Simon isn't
coming here for nothing. you know" $
); g g va. f.at do you mean ?''
"They say he has more business than he
can do and has made money enough to salts
fy himself One who knows told me that he
was coming this way TO see his nephews, with
the intention of taking one of them into
partnership with him, if either one happens
to be to his iking.''
He has only one nephew besides yourself,
Joseph,n added his. wife, counting the chan
ces which her husband might have of win
ming this prize.
faslfq4T hats true; the choice lies between AL
fred and myself. And whoever gets the
place will be rich man in less than five
years $50 We must make the most of Uncle
Simon when he comes, y s4z. -
The distinguished relative of Mr.. Joseph
johnson, whose anticipated coming created
such a decided sensation, was a wealthy mer-
chant in Philadelphia. He was tired of the
cares of business, and knowing that his two
nephews were energetic and capable young
men, he proposed to take one of them into
his establishment, and gradually place his
own trials, cares and responsibilities on the
| shoulders of the new partner, thus confer
ring great favor upon himself and upon the
recipient of his bounty.
Is, Joseph and Alfred Johnson were cousins,
and were both salesmen on fine salaries in the
city of Boston; and either would have
jumped at the chance to secure the position
which Uncle Simon had in his gift. The
merchants intentions had been accidentally
disclosed, SO that both of his nephews were
aware of his purpose.
In the house of Joseph Johnson it was de-
clded to have new carpets, and new chairs
as wellas several other articles of utility and
luxury, and portion of the following day
was appropriated to make the purchases.
Josephand ladysisited allthecarpet stores
and all the furniture stores in the city. Both
of them were terribly afflicted on the subject
of cheap goods, and had a constant banker.
1 ing for great bargains. In this respect never
man and wife more thoroughly sympathizee
with each other, They kept up a regular
competition to see which could buy ths
cheapest, and their evenings were generally
spent in discussing the price of groceries
hardware, dry goods, Looks and furniture.
4 It was decided between them to have
handsome "three-ply'' for the parlor, tn,
old carpet of which was to be transferred tt
the sitting-room, and good "superfne" 70
the spare chamber. The price of the frs
named article was carefully noted in the wa
rious stores. The average rate was dolla
and quarter yard. When they had abou
made up their minds to take one at dollar
the obliging dealer was good enough to hin
that he had one roll. slightly damaged, whicl
he would sell for sixty-two cents yard.
The eyes of both husband and wife bright
ened up at this announcement. They exam
ined the goods, anc yielded to the temptation
It was scheap for cash. and the money wa
paid. Half dozen chairs, a marble mante
| clock, the "snperfne'' for the spare chamber
were purchased in due time, and the fortu
Late buyers went home and chuckled owe
the glorious bargains they had obtained.
l. By the way, Nellie.I ordered five ton
| of coal this morning in the city," said 10
seph, when they were at supper.
"What did you give p demanded the al
fectionate wife. 3 sass ss 4 sesss s;ss
/ Five dollars ton" replied Joseph, wit
: proud satisfaction.
"Thats splendid! Why, the market pric
is seven.''
/ aYes, but bought it cheap for CASH..
"fs it good. coal ?''
aGooa? OF course it is. I examine
y the article very carefully, and ] don't see bu