The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-01-07
THE QUEER CUSTOMER.
A oHRlsTMAs STORY.

4 IN cubUuJ HSSlC buOp LII q SudUDy llttlc
street, man sat stitching away as il for
dear life, BY the light of single candle
The name of John Todd was over the
sat upon the shopboard, keeping time to
snatch of song If there had been q
song of the trowsers, ss well as of the
shirt, he might with great propriety have
sung that, for 1t was on q pair of those
garments that he was employed. As it
was, however, he did not confine himself
to any one particular melody, but sang a
verse of one and then a verse of another,
as the fancy took him. Immediately
above him hung q disreputsble-looking
old blackbird in a wicker cage who lis
tened to the performance with an air of
grave attention, as one who was qualified
to he 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
twinkling 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 Allen Water" (which the
hlackbird applauded immensely, and had
begun Mary of Argyle" when the shop
door suddenly opened, and pulled him up
short in the very middle of a very effect
i've shake. The person who entered was
q short, stout individual, with his hat very
far back on his head, pen behind his ear,
and parchment-covered note book in his
hand.
"Wen, Mr.. Todd" said he, showing the
while the end of a stumpy pencil; "ready
for me / suppose"
The little tailor's cheerful countenance
fell, as he replied
"rm very sorry, Mr.. Sprague, but I'm
the fact isl can't say am quite ready
tonight"
"Then, why the dooce amt you
ready9" amiably inquired Mr.. Sprague,
tapping the floor viciously with his fat
cotton umbrella. "You're aweer, sup
pose, that to-morrow's Christmas day !;
and you're also aweer that to avoid un-
pleasantness at a gay and festive season,
collects the rents the night before. Then
why amt you readys"
"To tell you the truth, sir" said John
humbly, "Tve had disappointment this
morning. little account 1 was to re-
"Yah~ said Mr. sprague savage
ly. "That makes five on 'em, all
been disappointed of little &C
count 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 goin' to, no
longer. So now you've got It"
"rn do my endeavors, Mr. Sprague,"
said John Todd humbly. "But which
way am to turn to find the money, the
Lord only kuoweo
you'll turn out, Mr.. Todd, if you don't
find it." And with a coarse laugh at his
own wit. Mr.. Sprague departed.
Poor Todd looked much depressed.
After q few minutes he unconsciously
commenced "The harp that once through
Tara's halls" but the attempt was fail
ure. 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 a muff nearly as large as
herself, peeped in.
"Do I intrude, Mr.. Todd? Ahl quite
by yourself Dear mel"
"Yes, Miss Pinnifer, for want of better
company,-quite by myself"
"Ye-es!" said Miss Pinnifer. "And
very busy | see. Always busy!-Coat, 1
"No, ma'am, trousers" said John Todd
"Ohr' 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'amn replied
John gallantly. ats of no consequence.
Yes, 1 am rather busy, Miss Pinnifcr.
They're for Mr.. Brown,-an old gentle
man who came in last Thursday. He Or
dered suit of black and said he'd fetch
'em himself this evening, and I'm little
ehind, you see"
"Ye-es p Miss Pinnifer had habit of
aging "Yes," 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
a mild surprise and admiration which en-
couraged the speaker TO proceed. Mr..
Todd proceeded accordingly.
Il hope he won't come just yet, for I've
got nigh on two hours work to finish the
Job. 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 questions as If he had known
me ever since / was 30 highf All about
the children and Milly and everybody"
"Strange p said Miss Pinnifer. "Can
| 1t bep Yes, that must be itr"
"Eh." said Mr.. Todd, inqmringly.
"Now, mark me ~ said Miss Pinnifer,
laying q rather bony finger impressively
upon the queer customers trousers Mr..
Todd marked her accordingly. "Did he
ask anything about me?"
81 don't remember that he did, replied
Mr.. Todd.
al dare say not Indeed, that rather
confirms my previous idea. know their
ways, Mr.. Todd"
at beg your pardon, ma'am," said John,
in much bewilderment Whose ways
might you be alluding tor"
"Hushi" said Miss Pinnifer, with an
air of profound mystery. "You don't
know who may be listening to us at this
moment-detectives"
"You don't think, ma'am-"
"Yes, I do; do, indeed, Mr.. Todd.
haven't the smallest doubt that l am
at this moment the object of
private inquiry. You must know, Mr.
Todd, though don't often mention it.
that I'm engaged in Chancery suit, and
the defendants are horribly wicked people
They've done it before, l know they have
NOt COnScut VIII ACCpih6 my PooA OAoeh
er and myself out of our property, they
have us watched and annoyed in every
possible way. You'd hardly imagine the
number of lodgings we've been to, Mr..
Todd, and the people were always so po-
lite and friendly at first, and after few
weeks they quite changed, and were quite
rude and unpleasant. They'd been set
against us by the detectives, you know.
II was allIvcry..well to say it was the two or
three weeks rent we might be owing, but
knew better than that And:now they've
traced me here. Dear, dear, what shall
do"
"But are you quite sure"
go dear, yes, certain. It's been going
on for long time There was pale
Young man in spectacles stared at me all
church time last Sunday. l thought at
the time it was only rudeness, but no
doubt he had his instructions"
At this moment the conversation WIS
interrupted by the arrival of the queer
customer himself He was an elderly gen.
tleman with rubicund complexion, and
q very good-natured expression of counte-
nance, and certainly did not look like de-
tective. As he entered the shop, Miss
Pinuifer dropped her veil, and drawing
herself up to her full height af four feet
SIX. faced the intruder with excessive dig
nity. The stranger politely raised his
hat to the lady, and then turned to John
Todd.
"Well, Mr.. Todd, and how do you do
to-nights Am / too early for my little
matter of business
massT N - aid Mr. Todd WON'T