Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-05-31

custom some day or other.
| shall have to accommodate him, sup
pose. If he will be cheated it can't be
helped.
On the very first bill that Baker paid to-
his new tradesman he obtained the abate
ment of one dollar and ninety cents odd
money, but actually paid three dollars more
than was Justly due. Still he was very
well satisfied, imagining that he had made
saving of one dollar and ninety cents
The not over -sorupulous tradesman laugh
ed in his sleeves and kept his customer.
Having Withdrawn his support from
Leonard, it was the candid opinion of Ba-
ker that he was going to the dogs. as ne
expressed it. about as fast as man could
60 He often passed the shop but rarely
saw n customer.
NO wonder he would say to himself
A man like him can't expect and dosen'
deserve custom.
In the eyes of Baker. the very grass
seemed to grow upon the pavements before
the door of the declining tradcsman. Dust
settled thickly in his window, and the old
sign turned grayer and grayer in the bleach
ing air.
.Going'to the dogs, and no wonder Ba
ker would say to him self as he went by =
He appeared to take a strange interest in
watching the gradual decay of the mechan
ic's fortunes. One day mercantile friend
said to him:
DO you know anything about this Leon
ard =
why = asked Baker.
Because he wants to make pretty large
bill with me-.
.On ti,un '
.Yes. on the usual credit of six months
Don't sell him. Why, the man is going
to the dogs at railroad speed
'Indced!'
Yes. I'm looking every day to see him
close up. He might have done well, for
he understood his business. But he's so
accommodating and may say insult
ing to his customers, that he drives the best
ones away. l used to make large bills
with him. but havnt dealt at his shop now
for sometime
.Ah was not aware of that. l am
glad spoke to you. for shouldn't like to
lose six or seven hundred dollars
six or seven hundred" Is it possible
that he wants to buy so recklessly! Take
NV advice and don't think Of trusting
him.
Il certainly snail not.
When Leonard ordered the goods the
merchant declierd selling except for
cash.
AS you please, returned the mechanic,
inditfrrently and went elsewhere and made
his purchases.
Il happened that Mr.. Leonard had very
pretty and fascinating daughter. on whose
education the mechanic had bestowed great
pains and it also happened that Baker
had Il son who, i'll mos: things was chip
of the old block Particularly was he like
his father in his great love of money and
scarcely had he reached his minority ere
he began to look about him with care
full eve. to IA good matrimonial arrangement.
by which plenty of money would be seeur-
ed.
Adelaide Leonard, on account of her
beauty and accomplishments. was mnch
caressed and mingled free in society
Young Baker had met her frequently, and
could not help being struck with her beau
ty. intelligence and grace.
There is chance for you,' said frie nd
to him one evening.
In Miss Leonard
Yes
She is charming girl. replied the
Young man. Il wonder if her father is
worth anything
People say So,
Indeed :
.Yes. Thcy say the old fellow has laid
up something quite handsome, and as Adj
riaae is his only child, she will of course
get it all
Il was not aware OF that.
1T ia all 80 believe.
After this. young Baker was exceeding
IL attentive to Miss Leonard, and made
ncroept,blc inroads upon her heart He
even went so far as to visit pretty regular
" at her house, and was meditatiny an
ayowaI of his attachment, when his father
said to him one day:
What Young lady WAS that saw you
with in the street yesterday afternoon!
Her name is Leonard.
.The daughter Of old Leonard iii
street
Yes. sir. :.
Mr.. Baker looked grave and shook his
head.
DO You know anything about ler!' ask
ed the sou. A.,
Nothing about her; but know that
her father is going to the dogs as last as
ever % man went.
Indeed. l thought he was well OIL
oh, no, I've been looking to see ms
shop shut up, or to hear OF his being sold
out bv the sheriff, every day, for these two
years past. ,;.
She's the daughter Of a poor vulgar me
chanic. II you see anything very lovely
in that, Henry, you have strange taste,
There is no gainsaying Adelaide's per
sonal attractions, replied the sou, 'but it
her father is poor. that settles the matter
AS far AS she and are concerned. am
Erjad YOU introduced the subject, Tor
might have committed myself, and, when
too late discovered my error.
And sad error it would have been,
Henry. In any future matter OF this
kind, l hope you will be perfectly frank
with me have more accurate knowledge
of the conditon and standing OF people
than YOU can possibly have.
The son promised to do as his father
wished. From that time the Visits to Miss
Leonard were abated, and his attentions
to her when they met in society, were cold
ly formal. The sweet young girl, whose
feelings were interested, felt the change.
and was for a time unhappy; but in few
nonths she recovered herself and was
again as bright aud cheerful as usual.
Time went steadily on. sweeping down
one and setting up another, and still old
Leonard didn't 80 to the dogs, much to
the surprise of Baker who could not mag
inc how the mechanic kept his head above
Il t,. l, l.,.,t