The Howard union. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1865-1866, 1865-06-15
From the Portland Tribune.
7 II E OLD BUR E AU .
CHATTER I.
Where'er single human breast
Is crushed by pain and grief,
There would ! ever be a guest,
And sweetly bring relief.

AS we were passing down Exchange street
severe years ago, we stopped in front of an auc-
ton room 10 examine the various articles that
were to be sold under the hammer. We had
been there but few moments, when we heard a
female voice inquiring, ''is this old bureau to be
sold to-dayp" On looking up, we perceived the
question had been addressed to us by young
lazy, whose sad but pleasant countenance Struck
US at once. We replied that all the articles
spread on the side walk would be disposed of to
the highest bidder.
"I should like this bureau, If il goes low
enough" she said, pointing to an old fashioned
article that was standing among the other furni-
ture; "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 bid"
'It would be perfectly proper" we remarked;
'Fbut if you wish it, will bid off the bureau"
"lf you will, sir, shall be greatly obliged to
you"
Chow high are you willing should gopv
81 don't know exactly how much it is worth,
but il it sells for three four dollors, you may
buy it,"
"Shall speak to hand-cartman to leave il at
your house2"
"No sir, I will call at noon and settle for it,
and take it away. l am very much obliged to
you for your kindness"
SoEsayiug the young lady went away, leaving
us to wonder who she was, and of what use the
old piece Of furniture could be to her. We ex-
amined it-took out the drawers-but saw moth
ing remarkable about it. At II O'Clock, when
the auction commenced, we were present, and
after waiting nearly an hour, the auctioneer re-
marked, awe will now sell the bureau. What
will you give gentlemen" One man offered two
dollars, another three, and we bid ha If dollar
more. -Four dollars were bid-four and hall
and five dollars. We were astonished that The
CID thing should bring SO high price. What
could we do? See 1t sold and disappoint the
| ladyP The thought struck us, that it might have
belonged to some friend, and she wished to pur.
chase it on that account, and rather than disap
point her, we resolved TO bid again. Six dollar.
were offered by ano Their, to our utter sstouish
ment; but when our hand is in, We seldom le
another out-bid us, and so we offered, until tn,
| bureau was run up to ten dollars--nnd we Dur
| chased it for half a dollar more. Certainly we
would not have given four dollars for 1t, to us,
| ourselves. However, we bought it, and sent i
to our room, telling the auctoneer if a lad,
should call for il to inform her where it might b.
found. We examined it again and again and be-
gan TO regret our purchase, feeling almost Ger
tain that the young woman would not thank VI
for what we had done; but we never mourn owe
bad bargain. Our philosophy will not perm,
us TO do so.
little after dusk, as we were sitting in OIL,
sanctnm. the young lady came in with an 81. do
gysfor intruding, and remarked, "You bought tn,
Blu reau-so the auctioneer informs me.v
eyes, thought it at an extravagan. price, as
sure You."
"What did you give 2n
"Ten dollars and half"
GYou astonish me. What can Idop Ihad ne
idea would bring over three or four dollars, and
am not prepared to pay for it TO night"
81 suppose twas foolish in me to give so mucl
for it; but presumed You wanted il very much. ,
81 did, SIT, and would not value paying doubl,
the amount for the bureau, if were able, ratbe
than not have it,"
$50 apprehended. Perhaps it may have lie
longed 10 some friend of yours?"
les, si, hat bureau was once my mother'S''-
end noticed tear come in her eye, which sh
endeayored to conceal-"but she Is dead now
end wished to keep il in remembrance of her !,
Thinking the lady might be poor, we told he
that she might take the bureau that night if sh
wished, and pay us for it when she found it con
| venent.
81 am greatly obliged to you for your kindness
but would rather that you should keep it until
is paid for"
We urged her to take it, but she refused, say
| ing-"I will see what can do, and call IN da
or two and see YOU" and bidding US good even
ing she left us.
There is something very mysterious about thi
woman, thought we. 1t may be that she is poor
and perhaps in very destitute circumstances
But she shows an excellent heart, and the warm
est attachment TO deceased mother Her edu
cation must have been good, and she has evi
IDENTIFY seen better days. And we thought tn
next time she called upon US, we would ascertai
| something more Of her character and circumstan
ces-perhaps her name which we felt deepl
anxious to learn.
In day or two the young woman called upo
us again, and with tears in her eyes remarked
81 don't know what you will think of me, but a
the money have in the world is five dollars; thi
have brought you toward the bureau you wer
SO kind as TO purchase for me-" So saying sh
placed the money before us in silver.
81 shall not take The money atpresent," we re
marked. al can do without il. You may TAX
the bureau if you want it; and when you are abb
at some future time, you may pay me for it.''
She expressed great deal of gratitude, and sal
81 would rather you should take what have, :;
and nothing that we could say would induce he
TO take the money again.
"You appear 20 have seen some affliction?n w
remarked as we saw the tears in her eyes.
| ''Not much, sir; must confess that have no
always been as poor as am present, for hay,
seen better days. When my parents were living
I never knew what il was to want for any thing
now cannot say So"
SHOW long have your parents been dead?n
"About six years since, my father died and !
was four years ago last Saturday when my mothe
was buried"
AT the mention OF her mothers name the tear
| came fast 10 her eyes-a fender chord ,y.s ton.b