The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-22
THE QUEER CUSTOMER.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.


life, by the light of a single candle. The
name of John Todd was over the door, and
John Todd himself it was who sat upon the
Shopboard, keeping time to his nimble needle
with an occasional snatch of a song. If there
had been q song Of the trousers, as well as of
the shirt, he might with great propriety have
sung that, fer it was on pair of those gar
ments that he was employed. As it was, how
ever, he did not cOnfne himself to any one
particular melody, but sang verse of one
and then a verse of another, as the fancy took
him. Immediately above him hung disre-
putable-looking old blackbird in wicker
cage, who listened to the performance with an
air Of grave attention, as one who was quail
fed to be critical, and occasionally gave an
encouraging chirp of applause. The singer
was merry little man, no longer young, but
still 1.-the and active, with twipkling gray eyes
and CHEEKY smile which it was pleasant to
look upon.
On the present occasion he had just got
through ''Jock O Hazeldean, and the Banks
of Allan Water (Which the blackbird ap-
plauded immensely, and had begun MARY
of Argyle, when the shop door suddenly
opened, and pulled him up short in the very
middle of very effective shake. The person
who entered was short, stout individual,
with his hat very far back on his head, pen
behind his ear and parchment-covered note
book in his hand.
"Well, Mr.. Todd said he, showing the
while the end of q stumpy pencil ''ready for
me, l suppose"
The little tailors cheerful countenance fen,
as he replied
I'm very sorry, Mr. Sprague, but I'm
the fact isl can't say | am quite ready to-
night.
Then, why the dooce amt you ready ?"
amiably inquired Mr. Sprague, tapping the
floor viciously with his fat cotton UMBRELLA
YOU'RE aweer, | suppose, that to-morrows
Christmas day; and you're also aweer that to
avoid unpleasantness at a gay and festive
season, l collects the rent the night before
Then why amt you ready"
ITO tell you the truth, sir, said John hum
bly,, I've had disappointment this morning
a little account l was to receive
yah !" said Mr.. Sprague savagely. THAT
makes five on EN-, all been disappointed of a
little account. Gammon Now look here
Mr.. Todd. This is Toosday. I'm a man of
my word, and if the rent amt ready Thurs
day, brokers is the word I've had trouble
enough with you, and l amt goin' to, no
longer. So now you've got it,
''Tn do my endeRvors, Mr.. Sprague,' said
John Todd humbly. ''But which way 1 am
10 turn to find the money, the Lord only
knows" !"
You'll turn c,t, Mr. Todd. if you don't
find it. And with coarse laugh at his own
wit, Mr.. Sprague departed.
Poor Todd looked much depressed. After
\ few minutes he unconsciously commenced
The harp that once through Taras halls"
but the attempt was failure. Even the
blackbird turned his back in disgust, and
after few bars John gave it up, and stitched
away in sorrowful silence. He might have
remained so for perhaps half an hour, when
the door again opened, and little old lady in
black bonnet and cloak and basket on
her arm, and muff nearly as large as her
self, peeeped in;
DO ] intrude, Mr.. Todd? All quite by
yourself. Dear me-"
Eyes, Miss Pinnifer for want of better
company, quite by myself.
''Ye-es :" said Miss Pinnifer. ''And very
busy, | see. Always busy! Coat, 1 pre-
sumo ?"
mo, maam, trousers, said John Todd.
''Uh said Miss Pinnifer, with little
scream, and covering her eyes with her hand.
Very indiScreet of mel beg pardon, I'm
sure"
Don't mention it, ma'am" replied John
gallantly. ''Its of no consequence. Yes l
am rather busy, Miss Pinnifer. They're for
Mr.. Brown-an old gentleman who came in
last Thursday. He ordered suit of blacks,
anu bdlu lie u leICu elu ullllS6ll UulS evening,
and I'm little behind, you see.'
''Ye-es" Miss Pinnifer had habit of say
ing Eyes" when spoken to, irrespective of
anything in particular She used the word
to Indicate various shades of feeling; but in a
general way it was expressive of mild sur
prise and admiration which encouraged the
speaker to proceed. Mr.. Todd proceeded ac-
cordingly.
II hope he won't come just yet, for I've got
nigh on two hours work to finish the OBJ
He's queer customer, very. Never saw him
before in my life, and he comes and sits down
In that very chair, and talks and asks ques-
tions as if he had known me ever since l was
so high? All about the children and Milly
and everybody
Strange said Miss Pinnifer. Can it
be? Yes, that must be it,"
''Eh ?" said MIR. Todd inquiringy
Now, mark me :" said Miss Pinnifer, lay
ing rather bony finger impressively upon
the queer customers trousers Mr. Todd
marked her accordingly. did he ask any
thing about me :"
Il don't remember that he did, replied
Mr.. Todd.
81 dare say not. Indeed, that rather con-
firms my previous idea. know their ways,
Mr.. Todd.
Il beg yonr pardon, ma am, said John, in
much bewilderment Whose ways might
you be aluding to-
"Hush - said Miss Pinnifer, with an air Of
profound mystery. You don't know who
may be listening to us at this moment-de-
tectives ~
You don't think, maam--"
eyes, do; do, indeed, Mr.
Todd. haven't the smallest doubt that
I ON, Of tbis moment ha nIiact Of