The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1873-01-16

The next time make a bin at your
store, wish you would send Il In before
the FIRST Of January.
wont promise was good humofedly
replied a. the maa bowed aud Withdrew.
The pleasure was all on biz side, aud he
could aiT "a TO be Ia Il good humor,
hope that's the last said Mr.. Lane,
a. be wound the string Of his pocket
book carefully around Il and laid 1t back
iu bis desk. Bat be was IN error. Ere
the day passed, bis boolmaser sent in bis
bin amounting to ffleen dollars; aud
from ladies' shoemaker came a like
token, footed up with the sum Of twenty
dollars more. An upholsteror had been
called upon 10 make chamber carpet,
and do sundry little matters about the
house during the year; and he called for
eight dollars and thirty-four cents. Then
the jobbing cabinet maker had bis sc-
oount to settle with Mr.. Lane, for sundry
applications Of his art to broken-backed
chairs, ricketty tables, loose yeneering,
etc, for all of which he wanted sixteen
dollars. Thus II went on, hour after hour
until towards evening. The glazier cal
led for two dollars aud half; the timer
presented q bin Of five dollars and the
gas-lller for eight.
BY this time, human patience, at least
so far as MIR. Lane was concerned, had
become well nigh exhausted. He felt
like making a very severe application Of
his foot TO any man or boy who might
again invade his premises with bill. lie
was sitting at his desk, In this not very
amiable mood, with the bills he had re-
ceived since morning spread out before
him and a slip Of paper in his hand mp
on which the whole of the sums they cal.
led for amounting to four hundred and
sxty-nine dollars and eighty-six cents,
had been added up, when he heard the
door open and shut. Turning, with
nervous start, he saw the familiar face of
an old negro who had polished his boots
for the last half-dozen years. He knew
his errand, and felt that this was adding
insult to injury. Peter came shutiling
back towards the desk, at which Lane re-
mained seated with contracted brows, re-
vealing, at each step, more and more of
his polished ivory.
Little bill, massa Lane, said the negro,
producing, as he spoke, dingy piece of
paper.
This was too much II was an ordeal
beyond what overtried patience could
bear.
Clear out, you black rascal? exclaimed
the sufferer, in a passionate voice. If
you say bill to me, I'll cut your ears Off
Such an unexpected reception from
Massa Lane, who had been looked upon
by Peter as one of the most amiable men
in the world, completely astounded the
poor negro and he beat basty retreat,
looking back every now aud then TO see
If an inkstand or paper-weight were not
advancing in the direction Of his head
with something like lightning speed.
To sudden storms there always follows
a deep calm. BY the time Peter had
vanished through the door, retiring at a
velocity which could not have been great
ly increased had seven devils been at his
heels, Mr.. Lanes mind was trembling
back from its state Of uncomfortable ex.
element. Laying his face down upon the
desk, he sighed heavily. Modification
took the place of irritation, and anger
against others was succeeded by anger
against himself.
All, mel was breathed forth heavily,
at last; and raising himself up, he gath
cred together the bills that were spread
out before him, and thrusting them in
the desk, turned the key with firm
hand, making the lock click as the bolt
sprang to its place.
When Mr.. Lane went home that even
ing, his mind was calm. He had passed
through day of sad trial and disappoint-
ment; but he knew the worst, and was
prepared it, When the milk bill, mil.
liners and mantua-maker's bills, and sun
dry other little bills were laid before him
he exhibited no emotion. They were to
his feelings like gentle breeze after
violent tempest. But one thing he had
resolved; that was, TO pay cash in future
for everything.
There must be no January bills next
year, said he to bis family, after be had
looked at the sun to pay long enough to
be able to speak on the subject without
visible emotion. Let cash be paid fOr
everything in time TO come. If the mo.
neg isn't in hand when the want presents
itself, let the want watt
We hope every reader of the JOURNAL
will mai aud abide by ike resolution
pay all debts now outstanding-take
the best local newspaper aud pay for il ia
advance, aud enjoy happy New Year.
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ALL HANDS BELOW.