The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-08-06

that watch isn't worth carrying home ~
Some customers entered at the NOM
ent, and advanced to the twain, but the
shopman found time to add
"It's as true rs you live %
John left the shop and moved across
the street. He did not believe what
the man told him, but as there was an
other shop some distance below, il
would do no harm to apply the test.
HE feels jealous of me-" thought
John, "and hopes to persuade me out of
the business. or course il will hurt
him some, but trade is free." He enter.
ed the second shop. -.
"I'll take him little differently" twas
the mental resolution though it can't
be that have been swindled out of my
money in that wayp -..-..
The jeweler was busily at work when
the countryman entered, but he rose on
seeing that the latter had business with
him.
IA friend of mine wanted me to ask
you about this watch I" said he, produc-
ing the condemned article.
SIS it his ?" ... .....
Il don't know whether he has bought
itor not. He talked of IL a week or so
ago" ".
''If he has a family OF children, It
might be worth ten cents, as a toy;
though such a one as these"-pointing
to some toys which lay in case
"would be better, and sell I'M for eight
| cents" ."
Are you honest about it?"
There was look of blank dismay on
the features of the questioner, which
might have betrayed the interest he
felt.
"Now 1 will convince you," said the
jeweler, "if you are not afraid of hav-
ing this thing spoiled in the looks"
John bade him proceed, and he took
up a small vial filled with colorless
liquid. Some of this he applied to a
watch which he had taken from the
window, and after allowing it to re-
main a short time, wiped IL off.
"You see it leaves no stain," he said.
Snow will make very slight appli-
cation to this bogus concern" .
He did so, and the application was
followed by an instant discoloration
He wiped it away with the same move-
ment, but the blot could not be effaced.
II will gild the plate over, if you
wish," he said.
John did not wish. He dropped the
bauble into his pocket, and started up
on his return. But how changed Was
everything! His golden dreams had
all vanished, the natural lightness and
buoyance of his step had fled. The
dead swindler in his pocket weighed
him down like a milestone No sooner
was he clear of the village than he drew
it forth, placed it upon fiat rock, and
crushed it with stone till not sem.
blance of its original shape was left.
Then he drove it into the ground and
stamped down the dirt above it.
"Therc is my twenty-five dollars" he
muttered. "Thank my good luck
which made me poor man, it was no
more. Now I'll go back and go to work
again. l may as well count in the
eight or ten dollars might have earn.
ed while Ive been fooling about this
| matter" ... ....
The way Sc, med much longer on his
return than it had been in the morning,
but he reached home before night. He
was obliged to continue his deception
toward his wife, for she noticed his
downcast manner in moment. He
explained 1t by pleading headache and
retired early. Next morning he arose
and sought work. No more dreams OF
golden hue filled his mind, but he had
still his strong muscles to toll and bring
him certain rewards. He had learned
a lesson, and one which was to be q
benefit to him through a life,tim II
took some time to regain what he had
lost in time and money. Strictly speak
ing, he could never regain it, for both
were gone forever. But the experience
he passed through no doubt proved OF
more real service to him than tho mon
ey would have done.
! And yet, reader, was John Boyden
more anxious to make a sudden splen.
did fortune than many whom you call
to mind? Was he more credulous-
more easily persuaded by the wiles OF
swindlers than others, who hunt out
every "chance to make fortune" and
bite at bait so transparent that the
hook is in full view? Honest, manly
perseverance is the surest road to sue,
cess, the world over, and he who would
succeed in life, and carry with him the
respect and esteem Of his fellow men
can travel no other road.