The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-03-30

brought 10 my mlnu III Tue HlOHb uheNPVNte'
manner only to convince me Of Its soleml
truth.
! was sitting one morning near the from
door of my establishment, reading the morn
ing paper, when was conscious Of a shndoW
darkening the doorway. Looking up, I saw
standing on the threshold Jew vendor d
bohemian glassware and disorted statues
His keen eye had detected 4 flaw in two small
red vases exhibited in the shop window
which he instantly determined to purchase
for the ultimate beneftof some unSEspecious
mortal of the gentler sex. sold them for a
trife; the Jew placed them in his basket,
went OF his way, and ! saw him no more for
ever. Ireeret to say heard Of him after
ward. ....
On returning home to dinner the first OBJ
ieHs that struck my eye, and filed my soul
with direful misgiv nss, were a PAIR Of red
vases. stood at distsnce, and glared At
them with something OF the sane feeling "a
the tragcdian who doubts the eyid nee Of hiB
senses when be beholds the digger n the
air. By strong effort ! managed 10 np-
prOach the FIRE place. The illusion vanished
at the sense Of touch On the mantle piece
stocially tsto d the blood red vases I had
parted with to the Jew, and ! knew in my
heart that If the cost of an article was test
of its worth, was then gazing at my most
expensive chattcls.
was aroused from this mental inventory
Of my suddenly acquired wealth by the OPEN
ing of the door, where q CLEAN of sunshine
irradated the room with the entrance Of goll-.
en- hair. Alice was clated, joy beamed In
her eye; laugh which seemed to be the
precursor of some delightful intelligence,
rang through the room, and my Imagination
beheld the visionary ams-house demolished,
as ifa whirlwind had scattered it forever.
" Are they not pretty ~ said she, taking down
the diabolical vases, and holding them up for
critical examination. 4.. Lss.
"Veryl' | ejaculated and having by
wonderful effort recovered my equsninity,I
asked in a business-lke way, what the loye-
ly article had cost
"0h nothing at all, my dear, or almost
nothing and that is the wonderful part Of
the whole bargain | could not conceive.
that such beautiful articles could be bought
with old, worn-Out clothing. You know the
box of old boots in the wood-shed2' i0'
dyes"
Well, gave them, ard an old shawl of
miDe-wbich was almsst spoiled you know,
Harry and my black delanc dress, which J.
thought shouldn't wear any more; and two
pair ofyonr old pantaloons, an two old vests,
And--I believe that is all But, bless me,
Harry, you know what gave for the vases was
mere rubbish, and was glad to get it out Of
the housep
"0f course, Alice returned, "the ar
ticles you gave the poor man wtr, perfectly
worthless, but should be sorry to think ou
imposed upon him."
Shadows fell down; the sunlight waned. |
"Ahl Harry, hope you don't think so
Perhaps the poor man had a family to sup
port, and If ! thought he lost money by sell
ng the vases to me don't think could look
ipoE them again with pleasure. 0 dear I
'egin to have some migivings; for now
ook again at the vases they must have cost
great deal Of money"
"Let ME see here is memorandum !
rave made, and in order to get your mind per-
ectly at rest, my dear Alice, / will readit to
'ou, and you will know what they have cost
'Ou at least: 5.s. t HlBu 14lI
pair Of boots, oil intended 10 be footed
tops valued ut So per pair, The
tops valued ut So per pair, the
same being the amount allowed
by the boot-maker ,............ sl2 90
| pair new black pants. Is 90
! pair old do. do. ....... 8 90
2 vests ................. 400
as a rosgh estimate say. -. 5 90
t-
Total price ofvases, taking pro-
per aud bnsiness-like view Of the
transaction. n....,.s............. 500 90 |
(Alice's faco alarmingy long
Value Of vases ............... 800 80 /
Sold by myself this morning at half past
line o'elok having my shop mark upon them,
Business-like statement suddenly cut short
y Alice, who dropped both vases from her
ands, said vases making crash and two
askelfull of fragments Alice herself burst-
ns into terrible prolonged "0h.h-hl' r. ae-
ompnniCd by an alarming shower Of tears.
Finale Obliged to hike Alice on my knee,
les and pet her IAN extremely un.businsJs
Ike proceediugl) until the shower cleared
p, and the golden hair aAilIed sunlight again
n the palor wall. fts
A WARNINo-Poeticdl- mo
ngelic host, so messengers of love,
hall swindled printers here below
ave no redress above ?"
The shining angel band replied
"To us is knowledge given, delin-
Iuenls on tho printer's booka can nov.