The Portland daily press., 1869-12-25
Selected Story.
The Queer Customer.

of John Todd was over the door. and John
Todd himself it was who sat upon the shop
board, keeping time to his nimble needle with
an occasional snatch of song. If there had
been song of the trousers, as well as the
shirt, he might with great propriety have sung
that, for 1t was on pair of those garments
That he was employed. As it was, however.
ne did not confine himself to any one particu-
lar melody, but sang verse of one and then
verse OF another, as the fancy took him. I'm
mediately above him hung a disreputabIe-
looking old blackbird in wicker cage who lis
tened to the performance with an air of grave
attention, as one who was qualified to be crit
ical, and occasionally gave an encouraging
Gnlrp OF applause. The singer was merry
little man, no longer young, but still 1.-the and
actlve; with twinkliDg gray eyes and CHEEKY
smile which it was pleasant to look upon.
On the present occasion he had lust GOT
through Jock O. Hazledeap," and the Banks
OF Allan Water" (which the blackbird ap-
plauded Immensely, and had begun "Mary
OF Argyle" when the shop door suddenly OBJ
ened, and pulled him up short in the middle
OF avery effective shake. The person who
entered was short, stout individual, with his
hat very far back on his head, pen behind
ms ear, and parchment-covered note book
in his hand.
swell, Mr.. Todd," said he, showing tbe
while the end of stumpy pencil; "ready for
me suppose"
piled ''' 90 nv i'
Pm very sorry, Mr.. Sprasue, but Pm
night" 4'' 'e'''S ~
Then, why the dooce amt you ready qr
aaulaoiy inquired Mr.. Sprague, tapping the
floor viciously with his tat cotton umbrella
You're aweer, l suppose, that to. morrow's
Chrlstmas-day; and you're also aweer that to
avoid unpleasantness at a CAV and festive
season, collects the rent the night before.
Then why amt you ready?"
10 tell you the truth, sir, said John hum
bly,, " I've had disappointment this morning
"a little account was to receive"
YAH" said Mr.. Sprague savagelv. "That
makes five on EN- all been disappointed of a
little account. Cannon! Now. look here
Mr.. Todd. This is Toosday. I'm man Of
my word, and if the rent amt ready Thurs
day, brokers is the word. I've had trouble
enough with you, and amt gon' TO, no lon
ger. so now you've got it."
III do my endeavors, Mr. Sprague." said
John Todd humbly. "But which Way am
to turn to find the money, the Lord only
knowsw
You'll turn out, Mr.. Todd, if YOU don't
ma it." And with coarse laugh at his own
wit, Mr.. Sprague departed.
Foor Todd looked much depressed After
a rev minutes he unconsciously commenced
put the attempt was a failure Even the
olackDlrd turned his back in disgust, and af-
ter few bars John gave it up, and stitched
away in sorrc wiul silence. He might have
remained so for perhaps half an hour. when
.he door again opened, aud little old lady
IA oiack bonnet and cloak, and a basket on
her arm, and muff nearly as large as herself
peeped in.
DO intrude, Mr. Todd IAh |, quite by |
yourself. Deag mes
Yes, Miss Pinniier, for want OF better COM
pany,-quIte by myself
fe-es? said Miss Pinnifer. And very |
ousy ! see. Always busy Goat, / pre- |
No, ma'am, trousers" said John Todd.
"oh" said Miss Pinnifer, with a little
scream, and covering her eyes with her hand
sure
Don't mention Il, ma'am!" replied John
grllantiy. Its OF no CONSEQUENCE. Yes I'm |
rather busy, Miss PinnifeF. They're for a Mr.. /
BfoEn,-an Old gentleman who came In last |
thursday. He ordered a suit Of blacks, and |
Ina a hitle behind. you See
Yes Miss PinniteI had a habit Of saw /
hs les, when spoken 20, irrespective Of /
Aha tains m particular. she used the word Il
- ihaieaie various shades Of feeling: but In a /
general Nay 4 was expressive Of a mild sur- /
Prise 4nd admiration which encouraged the /
spes.ker % proceed. Mr. Ted procecded ae-
hops b. won't conc Just VET. for I've On,
nah Ga tN0 hours WORK 10 finish The ~. /
hss aneer customer, very. Never saw him
o@iofe ~ my l.ie, and be comes and sits dowp II
n that very char, and ia.ks and ASKS oues-
tions as 4 b. bad known me ever since Vas
20 h'shf Al about the children and AIiIly
and everybody -
IL A.
bsf hts, that must b. itF'
EhF said Mr. Todd, inquiringly.
nov marx net said Miss PiDnifef. law
ius rather bony finger impfeSSiveIy mon fie |
queer customers Trousers. Mr.. Todd marked /
hef accordingly. did be ask anything about
ri. - don't remember that he did, > replied Mr..
Il dare say not Indeed. that rather CON-
Mr.. Todd vac" ways
beg pardon, ma'am," said John, in much |
Dewilderment. Whose ways might YOU |
be alluding to-" -"
Hush!' said Miss Pinnifer, with an air Of
profound mystery. "You don't know who
tectivesw
You don't think, ma'am-"
Yes, do; / do, indeed, Mr.. Todd. T
haven't the smallest doubt that am at This
moment the object of inquiry. You must
know, Mr.. Todd, though don't often mem
tion lt, that I'm engaged in Chancerv sut.
ana tne defendants are horribly wickt d peo
PIE. Ihey've done it before, l know thew
nave. y OF content with keeping my poor BROTH
w,, "Lo hyseil out OF our properly, they have
Watched and annoyed in every possible wav.
1oud hardly imagine the number of lodoin9s
we We oeen TO, MIR. Todd, and the people were
always SO polite and friendly at first and Of
ter few weeks they quite changed, and were
quite rude and unpleasant. They'd been set |
against us by the detectives, you know. 1t |
was all very we'll to say it was the two or
three weeks rent we might he oJvino bu NJ
L knew better than that. And now tIev,ve
doP, ""'' '"'"i
But are you quite sure"
" GEAR, yes, certain. It's been going on
ior long time. There was pale Young man
20 n spectacles stared at me all church time last
sunday. thought at the time it was only
TONS" ' '''' w
AT this moment the conversation was in
.errupted by the arrival of the queer custom
er himself: He was an elderly gentleman
WIN rubicund complexion, and a verv good
tn S;.Ire9 expression Of countenance, and GER
o oan,y aid not look like detective. As he
un,J ga ea ne shop, Miss Pinnifer dropped her
of for feet @ wi; herself up to her full height
cessive dignity. The stranger noIitolv ' raisd
ms nat to the lady, and then tnrned 70 d doL,'
Todd. 'uihed 10 John
swell, Mr.. Todd, and how do Won do -
night? Am too early for my little matter
of business" iii"t'er
"Well, STRIP said Mr.. Todd, 81 won't saw
put what Id rather you'd have come an hour
later. Inc Goa: and wastcoat have been done
some time, but the trous-(Mr. Todd remem-
pered the modest presence of Miss Pinniferl
- y s otner garments are not quite finished"
never mind, Mr.. Todd, it's of no great
consequence. I'm in no especial hurry. But
lm gong to ask you favor / shall Surprise
yen, dare say" SUI P'iSc
III 49, = uu was so bewildered by the re-
n.a A n communication just made to him nv
mss finniier, coupled with the singular pres
s snt appearance OF that lady, (she was sta-d
ing with one loot advanced, her eve steadiI,
lxed on the stranger, and held her mpfF earo,s
h chest, in a kind of boxing atritudel tbat
n re, knew not what TO answer, and could only
iepy confusedy 'N oi'y |
ton mention it."
than tbe in,ger, answering rather the snirit !
- To ,o Ter OF his words continual !
-. lows Christmas-dav. For tpo,.u :
- az - oeen wanderer on the face 6
~ 'ne eaI en anu tnls is the first Cbristmas -,
gay, during all that time Pye snent ~ E
land. I've no friends, not so nnnh ~ ~ Eng
Or cat, and don't like the idea Of s as uos
christmas by myself Will you take aon,s
non on me, Mr.. Todd? You've a Cbristpnaa
.a and I've notion / could enjoy Christ !
nsS very wei in your company. Will you
'i,, i'm onPasslon on lonely old man, and let
ly?v WIN YOU anu your ls'ul- j.,