The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1866-07-18
Those Valuable Eggs.
BY ]. N. THOMAS.

b, the wel-known musical and comic
genius, was once travelling in the western
part of Massachusetts,, giving entertainments
in the small towns scattered here and there
among the hills. One day he fell in with
one Alvin, an old friend, who bore the rep
utation of being the greatest wag in Berk-
shire county; and the renewal oftheir friend
ship resulted in the following amusing ad-
venture:
1t was during the sugar season." and
Alvin proposed, in order to while away the
long hours preceding an evening S matinee,
to take the artist out among some of his
neighbors, and show him the process of ma
king maple sugar. Bat once accepted
They wandered from orchard to orchard,
until, late in the afternoon, they found
themselves hungry as bears and several
miles from the hotel, when Alvin proposed
to stop at farmhouse, and procure lunch
of fresh eggs, which was at once agreed to-.
A few steps brought them to Mrs. Girls
wold's, where AlwiA was well acquainted.
They entered the kitchen, and the wag
barganed with the hostess Tor dozen fresh
eggs, at ten cents, this was before the war,
which we're to be boiled in the kettle of sap
steaming in the huge fireplace. Mrs Girls
wod's two daughters (who had once been
schoolnates of Alwins) sat at their work in
the farther corner of the room. and our hero
drew up his chair near thcm and commenc-
ed a conversation on old times.
Mrs Griswold was bustling, obsequious
old lady, but exceedingly misery. Not
withstanding,s she loved to make show of
hospitality, especially to old neighbors; so,
when Alvin passed her the ten cent piece
-, Io,. ln ho yu1f
feigned reluctance and propped it into her
pocket saying: 81 don't fee, as | really
| ought to-, and then went flying about her
work
There being hole in her pocket, the
money soon found its way to the floor, and
rolled to the feet of Alvin, which was MOTTO
ed by the quick eyes o her girls. But the
wag, with wink towards the corner, de-
liberately picked il up and exclaimed:
Mrs. Griswold, think | have not paid
you enough for those cggs-it strikes me
that good fresh eggs are worth about ten
cents more.
"Oh, that was enough, Mr.: Alvin, re-
turned the old lady; but she took the prof
fered coin and again returned it to her pock-
ct.
BY this time the eggs were placed on the
table, with the necessary 'hxings, and the
gentlemen invited to sit up and help them
selves.
Ere long the ten cent piece again reached
the floor unperceived by the old lady, and
Alvin watched his opportunity to secure
it.
''These eggs are splendid, exclaimed the
wag, swallowing half one at mouthful.
Delicious" chimed in b.
II think, Mrs Griswold." added Alvin,
with another wink to the girls and a leer to-
ward his companion, that you ought to
have about ten eegts more for these eggs
and your trouble" and he again rendered
the sef-same coin.
why, Mr.. Alvin, you have more thar
paid me already" but she involuntarily
held her hand for the money.
By this time the gentlemen had finished
their repast, the migrating ctin had again
found its level on the floor, and the wag
slyly picked it up as he had advanced tC
the door to depart. Pausing on the thres
| hold, he remarked: .f.-
"Mrs Griswod, considering the excel
lence ofthoso eggs, and the trouble we have
nut you to, think you ought to have about
ten cents more, and shall pay you that
amount
sWhy, Mr., Alvin You are to kind, re-
piled the old lady, with surprise but she
was not in the least 10th to receive the mon
ey.
b had to retreat to the shadow OF
the wood shed, in order to save his buttons;
and Alvin managed to keep his face straight
until he joined his companion, further the
deponent saith not
'Mr. Alvin, you are too kind served
as by word for b and his friend long
| afterWard.