Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-08-20
De saved his Caszimeres...7 ract.

Of the Harris Cassimeres," resides and
has his manufsetory in WoOnsocket, Rhode
Island, where he gives to over six hun
dred hands steady employment the year
round, uses seven hundred and fifty thou
sand pounds Of wool annually, makes over
three hundred varieties and styles of the
g Harris Cassimsres," and has the past
year-during the war times-run his ex-
teDsive mill at sn expense of over three
thousand dollars day. So much for our
introduction.
Mr.. Harris is plain, benevolent-loOk-
ing man, and would sooner be taken for q
venerable elder among the Baptists, or
leading exhorter among the meek and low
Iy Methodists, than what he is-a sharp,
sbrewd, live fnancier and millionaire.
One morning in the Spring of 1860, Mr..
Harris stepped into his Wholesale house in
New York, and just as he crossed the
threshold, he saw to his astonishment, one
of the Southern chivalry kick over pile
of the finest and most fancy grades of the
/" Harris Cassimeres," and exclaimed with
an oath
"Blsst EN- I wish they were all in
hell p'
"Why so, my young friend ?' inquired
Mr.. Harris, stepping up to the Southerner,
and speaking in tones Of reverential kind
ness.
Because have found out that this in
fernal Harris who manufactures these
goods is a sinking Abolitionist and that
he in the man who made a present to John
Brown Of five hundred dollars, when we
had the hoary old sinner in Jail p
"And for this you certainly don't wish
that all these fine cassimeres were sent to
hell 2"
"Yes, do-every one of 'em |"
Well, now my young friend, if you
were to meet Mr.. Harris and make his ac-
quaintsnee, I doubt not you would like
him, notwithstanding his AbolitiOnism."
Like him I'd sooner like the devil -
"Do all Southern merchants feel that
way?"
@If they don't, they soon will r.
"They, of course, acknowledge that the
Harris Cassimeres are unequalled for
texture and durability by the French or
English manufactures ~
ayes; we willingly acknowledge their
superiority; but since have found out
who Harris is, l wish his goods were all in
hellp
You cannot certainly be in earnest, my
dear sir 2"
ayes, AMIN bloody earnest"
"Then I'll tell you how to secure your
wish"
"How?"
Buy them !" and before the astobished
stakeholder could recover from the shock
given him, Mr.. Harris stepped into the Of
fee and gave directions that no more goods
be sold to go south of Mason and Dixon's
line, unless they we're paid for in advance
"Some old missionary, amt he 2" in
quired the Southerner of a clerk standing
near, pointing to the receding form of the
New England millionaire.
"That, sir, exclaimed the clerk with
merry twinkle in his blue eyes, ais Mr..
Edward Harris himself"
"Good heavens" gasped the astonished
man, realizing in breath that by his i'm
petuosity he had imperiled his financial
prospects. ~ must step in at once and
apologize for the rudeness Of my joke. 1t
was only joke"
Passing into the office with awkward air
of embarrassment, he advanced to Mr.. Har-
ris and explained:
"I-I-beg pardon, Mr. Harris, for talk
ing so plain to you, but the fact is, sir, I
took you to be missionary, and thought
Pd-pd have little joke; was only in
fnD, sir, [ was only in fun and to prove
it l will now give you an order for two
hundred assorted pieces of Harris Cassi-
meres'-on only six months time !"
Don't let the incident trouble you in the
least" remarked Mr. Harris, II am only
plain hard working man, and have
worked my way up from boy among the
hard listed, greasy mechanics of New Eng
land. l make no pre.ensions to aristo
cracy or noble blood, and always treat as
an equal the poorest lad in my employ, if
he is honest and industrious. Your ex-
planation is quite unnecessary, and shall
be happy to fill your order. But the goods
must be paid for before leaving the build
ing, as we are giving no more credit to
Present appearances indi-
cate that we shall soon have trouble with
the South. And if the Southern political
brokers fail in their speculations, do not
intend that any of their notes in my pos
sion shall increase their endorsements.
The Southern merchant was astonished
He was grieved He was indignant He
swore little --Butfit didn't do any good.
Mr.. Harris honest, good-natured counten-
ance only beamed with serenity, benevo-
lence and Yankee irmness. He was ready
to serve his excited customer, but he must
receive bankable funds, instead of South
ern notds.
As the goods were in great demand in
the Southern market, and must be had,
cash purchase to the amount of one thous-
and dollars was made and the goods shipp-
ed for Cottondom; but the iniignant
Southerner swore in oaths loud, long,
ringing and fearful, that he would never
wear the eussed stuf-no, indeed, not
bit oft.
And now comes the nub Of the joke.
The merchant was captured as a SPY
few months ago, in Washington, and was
sent under guard to Fort Hotel de Warren
in Boston Harbor.
While passing through Boston, it was
his luck to meet Mr.. Harris at the depot.
and it was his modification to have it no.
iced that his pants were made from one
of the identical pieces Of Mr.. Harris cas-
sinners which be had SO unjustly wished in
hell.
Seeing that Mr.. Harris noticed and re-
the goods, he exclaimed with
sardonie sneer:
Harris, you praying old hypocrite, I
curse you for prophet You said that if
wanted your old cassimers in hell, I'd
better buy 'em! 1 did buy em, and reek-
1n they have gone there. At any rate nv
store was burned to the ground and what
vas Mt destEnHRd- -GHA--.Aa--L-1---Ll
thieves. Again curse you for prophetlp |
WithIno desire to aggravate the suffer-
ng Of the infatuated rebel, Mr.. Harris |
.urned upon his heel and left in sorrow
The next week, however, he forwarded to |
he rebel enough yards Of the best cassi- |
mere for an entire suit of clothes, with |