Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1866-04-06

ish tongue, equal to confounding the Fa-
ther of Lies in person. She generally
made her appearance with huge white
bundle on her back, suggesting the sup
position that she had arrived from plumb
ering some summer-deserted mansion, and
had bolted with every thing she conld lay
her hands on, including white Marseilles
bed-quilt which always surrounded the
mysterious stock in trade. / always OBJ
jected to this female; but it wasn't of the
slightest use, as l was convinced after a
short argument that my objections being
based upon profound ignorance of the
whole subject were frivolus and unreason-
able. In fact l was so completely sub
dued that short time subsequent to my
ignominous defeat, l found myself wear
ing some execrable socks, once a portion
Of the contents Of the white bundle, which
like Pilgrims seemed constantly glued to
the old woman's back. It is my opinion
she slept on it.
There was one class of these wandering
venders from whose infections consider
ed myself safe. felt confident that Al
ice would never exhibit that almost uni
versal weakness Of her sex, shown in a
disposition to be fascinated by the tempt
ing bargains offered by dealers in vases,
cut glass bottles, ete-those peripatetic
vagabonds who don't want money but do
want old clothes. Ny confidence in this
respect was based upon the fact that
myself was supposed to understand the
value Of such merchandise. The history
of seiges shows, however, that it is the un-
guarded strong point which often falls be-
fore the attack of an insidious foe. Some
irreverent Frenchman has traced an appro-
pirate parellel between a woman and
fortress. shall not quote the pithy apo
thegm, which precedes his fanciful COM
parison, for the best Of all possible reasons,
l have forgotten its exact phrase, and all
who are ignorant of the French language
will no doubt lift up their hands, in thank
fulness. shall content myself with the
statement, however, that the parallel 1
have referred to, was suddenly brought to
my mind in the most unexpected manner,
only to convince me of its solemn truth. \
L was sitting one morning near the door
of my establishment, reading the morning
paper, when l was conscious of a shadow
darkening the doorway. Looking up
saw standing on the threshold Jew ven
der of Bohemian glassware and distorted
statuettes. His keen eye had detected a
flaw in two small, red vases exhibited in
the shop window, which he had instantly
determined to purchase for the ultimate
benefit of some uususpicious mortal of the
gentler sex. sold them for a triAe; the
Jew placed them in his basket. went on
his way, and l saw no more of him forev-
er. regret to say that | heard of him
afterward.
On returning home to dinner, the first
object that met my eye and filed my soul
with misgivings, was pair of red vases.
I stood at distance and glared at them
with something of the same feeli4g Of the
tragedian who doubts the evidence of his
senses when he beholds the dagger IN the
air. By strong effort managed to ap-
proach the fireplace. The illusion vanish
ed at the sense of touch! On the man.
tle-piece stoically stood the two blood-red
vases had parted with to the Jew, and l
knew in my inmost heart that if the cost
of an article was an evidence of It's worth
l was then gazing at most expensive chat
tells
Twas aroused from this mental invento-
ry Of my suddenly acquired wealth by the
opening of the door, when agleam fsun-
shine irradiated the room by the entrance
of golden hair. Alice was elated: Joy
beamed in her eye; laugh which seemed
to be the precursor of some delightful in
telligenee, rang through the room, and
my imagination beheld the visionary aim
house demolished as if whirlwind had
scattered it forever. "Are ,hey not pref
ty" said she, taking down the disbolical
vaess, and holding them up for critical
examination.
every" Iejaculated, and having by 8
wonderful effort controlled my equanimi-
ty, asked, in business-like way, what
the lovely articles had cost
"Oh, nothing at all, my dear, or almost
nothing; and that is the wonderful part of
the whole bargainI 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-shedp
"Yes"
"Well, l gave them, and an old shawl
of mine-which was almost spoiled, you
know, Harry; and my black delaine dress,
which l have long thought l shouldn't
wear any more, and two pair of your old
black pantaloons, and two old vests, and
Il believe that's all But, bless me,
Harry, you know what I gave for the vas
es was mere rubbish, and was so glad to
get out of the house %
"Of course, Alice" l returned, sthe
articles you have the poor man were ut
terly worthless but should be sorry to
think you imposed upon him."
Shadows fell down; sunlight waned.
= "Ah! Harry, 1 hope you don't think So
Perhaps the poor man had family to sup
port; and if l thought he lost money by
selling the vases to me, could never look
upon them again with pleasure. Oh, dear,
l begin to have some misgiyings, for now
l look again at the vases, they must have
cost great deal of money!
"Let me see; here is memorandum I
have made, and in order to set your mind
perfectly at rest, my dear Alice, l viii
read to you, and you will know what
they will have cost you at least"
pair bOOts all intended to be footed, tops valu
ed at 81 per Pair, the same being the amount
allowed BY the boot maker, 81 90
pair OF new black psnts, IS 90
2 pair Of old do do, ------------------------ 90
T,rsIs rs.- of 1ncsrt; W
mate say 90