Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-08-22
BUY YOUR OWN CHERRIES.

1t was about o'clock one scorchine
hot, Saturday afternoon in July, when
John Lewis, the carpenter, laid down his
hammer on the bench, put his hand in his
pocket, and drew out few coppers, "Just
the price of pint" as he said to himself
so he resolved to step across the road tc
the "Golden Eagle" and have some ale
to slake his thirst. Just as he opened the
"bar" door, what should he see on the
polished counter, but q plate of beautifn
ripe cherries, the sight of which made
Johns mouth water so freely, that, ere
he knew exactly what he was doing, he
had stretched out his hand to take a few,
when the shrill voice of the landlady
called out:
You touch 'em if yon dare, sir!'
"John was startled; but before he could
reply, she added
"The idea of taking such liberties!
should like to know what you are think,
ing about"
"Well, missus, l was only going to take
one or two to wet my whistle"
"You had better not try it on" she re-
piled with warmth.
"Why not; you won't mind my having
few, will you2 am so thirsty, and
they look so tempting said John, think
ing she was joking.
"No sir, not one. l have just bought
'em as treat for nv children; they are
a fine sort, and very dear"
well, Just let me try one"
"No. not One!" she answered, with
determination in every look; eff you
want any, go and buy your own cher
ries y"
Well, | was going to have pint of
your best" replied John; "but ] think
rll take your advice. and go and buy
some cherries instead" and turning round,
he walked ont of the shop.
The landlady saw in a moment she had
made mistake, and called loudly for
John 10 come back. This only made him
quicken his steps to get away as fast as
he could.
"Well, Pve done it now," she said, as
taking up the plate of cherries, she passed
into the bar-parlor; "what a stupid I
was, not to let him have just one or two.
He is too good customer to lose without
an effort. so ! must look ont for him when
he comes TO pay his score, and coax him
he must be won over again if possible" "
She TINS tried to calm down her feelings
while these thoughts passed through her
mind
As she was thus planning his ruin, he
was tar down the street, looking ont for q
shop where fruit was sold. As soon as
he caught sight of some cherries, he called
out:
"Here, master, left me have three pen
orth of those cherries. will you2"
Yes. sir" said the man, and soon
placed in his hand the cherries in a paper
bag. with which John at once returned to
the workshop. All this had taken place
in few minutes, and the events had come
so quickly one upon the other that he
had hardly time To- feel the full force of
the treatment he had received. But when
he had opened the bag of cherries on the
bench, and put one in his mouth, its
sweetness seemed to bring back the sour
words Of the landiady with such addi-
tional force that they seemed to "stick in
his threat" As he swallowed the inicv
fruit, each seemed to repeat the landlady 5
words, "Buy your own cherries"
"Yes. that | will" said John to him
self, if this is the way you serve a fel-
low, after spending many pound with
vou; and now to begrudge me even a
paltrv cherry" And striking his hammer
on the nail as he muttered the words, its
sound seemed TO answer back to him,
Bay your own cherries"
All the rest of that afternoon these
words haunted him. Do what he would,
the saw, the plane, and every other tool,
gave the same advice. At times he ap-
peared to grow desperate, and from his
lips would rush the words, Buy your
own cherries"
"Ah! yes" said he, as his wounded
conscience CALLED him, GIVE bought them
too long for her and her children; T'll
take care of number one for the future, ]
shall then not only be able to buy my
own cherries, but many other sweet things
beside"
At length the bell rang for leaving of
work. John went to the counting house
and received his wages, which amounted