The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-05-05
Selett Storu.
THE SELLER SOLD.

Jim Small was always full of his jokes
and "sells." No one knew what to ex.
pect next, nor how cheaply they might
be sold up by the inevitable Jim.
Jim, with his jokes and sells" was
terror to the sober, quiet portion Of
the community and fund of amusc-
ment to the laughter loving.
Those who knew him were on the
alert, and, after being caught few
times, seldom fell into his traps.
Sometimes he would strol! into a
store with shot gun on his shoulder,
said gun having two separate loads of
shot over the powder-one of which,
during proarranged absence, would
be abstracted by confederate, which
naturally led uususpecting witness Of
the vancouver to the conclusion that
j i'm could hit nothing with what re.
manned of his load jim would then
brag Of his keen eye for mark, assert.
lag, that with him, to aim at anything
was to hit it. | have known him frc
qucntly to secure a bet of drinks or
oysters for the crowd, on this or some
such trick, which, of course, his adver.
sary had to pay, besides being laughed
at.
Several times had | been mercilessly
sold by this incorrigiblc fellow, and dc.
termined to have a good turn on him,
should opportunity ever occur. Fate
willed it that my chaacc should come,
and, it happened in this wise. | am a
very good judge of money, especially
the metallic that we used to be familiar
with, and had often boastcd that no one
could pass counterfeit coin on me.
Whenever au attempt Of the kind was
made, invariably nailed the bogus Gus
toner to my counter, or SO hacked ard
disfgurcd it as spoil its future chance
for deception.
One evening, just before lighting up
my store, Jim walked in aud called for
half dozen cigars, offering in pay
mcnt what seemed FIVE dollar gold
piece, which, in the hurry of the mo.
ment, accepted, giving him in change
four dollars and fifty cents good money.
Pocketing cigars and money, and prom
ising to PatrOni=e me frequently, he left
the store.
After a short time number of young
men began to collect in the store, and
| noticed more than ordinary winkings
and whisperings among them.
This being carried on for some time
| was induced to ask the meaning, which
only seemed to increase their merri.
ment. Soon, however, one remarked
to me
You're good judge of money,
Smith, are you not ?"
"Of course | am" said [; "every-
body knows that But what is the mat.
ter 7 what fun is up? l guess, by your
question, and your staggering, you think
| have been imposed upon in that
line. Now, what is it :? What's the
joke? ?"
Then it came out that Jim Small's
five dollar piece was bogus, and had
been passed on me as good joke, he
having promised the "boys" hearty
laugh at my expense, which they as.
suredly made the most of.
But" said l, after they had ex.
hausted their wit and laughter, "what
has become of Jim all this time How
comes it that he spares me? Why is
he not here to enjoy the sell p"
was Informed that Jim was to have
accompanied them to the store to tease,
me, but that just as they we're starting
he had received note from his lady.
love requesting him to take her to
surprise party, gotten up on the spur
of the moment. Jim had, therefore,
been obliged to forego futher share in
the joke he had ably begun, but had
begged the boys to laugh an extra share
for him, which they had most religious
ly done.
"Well, boys" said I, after hearing
the plot that had SO easily entrapped
me, "you have had your fun at my cx.
pense, and no doubt would relish little
at Jim's ss well ?"
Of course we would !" vociforated
they. "Anything for fun"
"Then, if you promise to aid me in a
little joke Ipropose carrying into effect,
you shall laugh your hearts content at
Jim ere he goes to sleep tonight"
Their consent was easily obtained,
and they informed Of my plan, and the
share they were to take III it; after
which We parted, with the understand.
ing that they were to go to the tavern
and await my coming.
Taking with me my friend Will
Phillips, young lawyer, we started for
the house of Joe Hopkins, constable,
whom we found at home.
: We had some little difficulty iu in.