The Hawaiian gazette., 1869-06-23
The Counterfeit Quarter.

The Counterfeit Quarter.
There it lay-as bright and shining a
any of its brethren, and 10 merely casu
! al observer, as entitled TO the name
bore And yet it was an unmistakabl
counterfeit and an easily discovered on
beside. When or where it was made
by whom-or for what purpose, we know
not. At the time when we would first in
troduce it to our readers, it was with
quantity of other small change safely en-
closed in the hand of young man who
accompanied by friend, sprang lightll
from the steps of an omnibus and took hii
way toward the business part of the city.
Nothing more provoking he exclaim
ed, than being obliged to change bill il
an omnibus. The driver always grumbles
and rightly enough, too, for the passengers
are annoyed at the detention and the un
fortunate individual who has forgotten tC
supply himself with sixpence runs the
risk of keeping haifa-dozen people wait.
ing while he looks at his change. And
here is case in point. Just look at this
quarter. As complete a counterfeit as
you often meet with
1t is indeed returned the friend
should you know the driver if you meet
him again."
Not l. He is but one among thous-
and, Let him go, will get rid of it. No
fear of my being loser
l threw its counterpart into the river
this morning, Harry
And why? Push it about 1t is
worth twenty-five cents as long as you can
get it for it.
Possibly, but the question is where will
it stop? In whose hands will it become
yalueless? Perchance in those of the wild
ow or the orphan -H
'Pshaw, Dick. You go too deep into
these things. Take care of number one
in the first place. Counterfeit money will
be passed.
But l will not be the one to pass it,
Take my advice and put that quarter
where none will find it,
l shall certainly rid myself of it as soon
as possible was the equivocal reply, and
the friends parted for the day.
Ten minutes after the glittering quarter
was with a quantity Of other loose change
swept carelessly from the counter of u
well-known cigar store and safely deposit
ed in the draw below, while its previous
owner leisurely placed two prime cigars in
his case, and, well satisfied with the ex-
change, proceeded on his walk. 1t was
matter of too little consequence to cause
anything more than a momentary feeling
of vexation in the retailer of extra fine ci-
gars and best chewing tobacco, when the
trick was discovered. 1t was only to keep
it moving and no one need be loser. So
it was passed off on the first short-sighted
customer. and he in his turn still deemed
it best to keep it moving, and in settling
an old account at the tailor's, threw it in
with odd change. So it passed from one
to another until, somewhat the worse for
wear, it was safely lodged in clothing
store, where we will leave it for the pres
ent while we beg the reader to accompany
US 70 another part of the great city-an
obscure street, it is true, but where many
honest hearts may be found. sf
In one of the poorest of the many Door
apartments which formed one of those
buildings often erected for the accommeda-
ton Of the poor, sat respectable-lookin
middle aged woman, busily plying her nee
die by the dim light of tallow candle.
There was an air of neatness in her appear.
ance, and in the arrangement of the scan
ty furniture of the room, which showed
sense of propriety not always found to ac-
company extreme poverty. Two little
children were quietly sleeping upon straw
bed in one corner of the room, and on
small cot lay another somewhat older also
slumbering, but with that uneasy, restless
sleep which evinces mental disturbance or
bodily suffering.
The mother gazed tearfulIy upon her
eldest born. In happier days, when kind
husband stood by her side to guard her
from life's ills, Ella had been her darling
and her pride; and even now, in want and
sorrow, her bright smile and words of love
could cheer the aching heart, and gave
new strength to the weary frame.
Dear Ella, she murmured. The fever |
is on her now she will soon awake. |
Poor child she needs better care than I |
can give her,
A distressing fit of coughing now ava
kened the little sufferer.
Dear mamma, she wispered as soon as
she could regain her breath, do lay aside
Your work for tonight. You have done
enough and you are tired. Lie down by
ne and rest
Not yet dearest. 1t is still early.
You know must finish this work to-mor-
,ow.' ....s.rsf
'0h how l wish l could help you. Did
not begin to sew quite neatly before 1
vas taken i'll p
You did, darling, and you viii again
'efore many weeks hope. But do not
ak, for it brings on that bad cough. Try
0 sleep againP
/ will mamma, but first give me water,
~ mouth is so parched.' II
The mother held the cool water to her
ps. She drank little. and then with
uiet thank You lay back upon her pill I,