Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-05-30

/ reached Tho end of the street which ter
minated at the s. river, here spanned by
long covered bridge. / crossed the bridge
and was surprised to see upon reaching the
opposite side that would be required to
pay toll. A young girl came TO tho door OF
tho little office as stepped up and inquir-
ed how much 1 should pay, drawing forth
my solitary shinplaster.
'Oh y said she, with smile and blush,
I'VE do not charge ministers anything
III was a bad joke, but suppressed the
laugh that rose to my lips, and thanking
her for the consideration shown to the cler-
gy, 1 turned about and retraced my Steps
to the hotel, not without some twinges of
conscience for allowing the mistake TO pass
and taking advantage Oft.
MY first duty next morning was to seek
some knight of tho razor. I had noticed a
pleasant little shop at no great distance
from the hotel in my walk tho previous
day. Thinking that should do no better
looking farther I repaired to that. There
was In attendance n boy about twelve years
of age, who stated that his father, the pro-
prietor, had gone TO neighboring city, and
would not return before noon. without
any hesitation 1 asked for the loan OF a ra-
zor, and proceeded to operate on myself.
While thus occupied, the customers be-
gan TO present themselves, expressing
great dissatisfaction on learning how mat
ters stood. Now, although am proud
man, I am not, thank God, cursed with
that species of vanity which prevents man
from doing certain kinds of honest labor
simply because they are not genteel. Here
an opportunity offered 10 at least earn the
price of my labor. took advantage of il
told the first man that came in, after had
completed shaving myself, would shave
have him. did so. In fact l did quite
brisk business for a couple of hours, and Il
any of the unfortunate individuals who
came under my hand had any doubts of my
fitness for the business, they certainly en-
pressed none. AT the expiration of that
time 1 thought that had done sufficient,
and feeling rather hungry, having had no
break fast, divided the proceeds with the
boy and prepared to return to my hotel.
But was not done yet.
As was brushing my hat, young, dan
dified specimen of humanity came in. Re
solved that he should be the last l went to
work on him. When he came to pay me l
was, to say the least, surprised to sec him
deliberately produce my own pocket-book
tho one had lost. Standing on no cere-
mony 1 snatched it from his hand and de-
manded in no gentle tone how he came by
it.
Without stopping to reply other than by
a volley of imprecations as he reached the
door, he tumbled rather than ran down the
stairs into the street. Waiting for neither
hat nor coat, I followed, the pocket book
in my hand. We measured considerable
ground in a short space of time. On, on.
1t was very exciting chase. Men, boys
and dogs Joined in the pursuit. The cries
of stop thief grew louder and increasing.
What an uproar there was. Suddenly
there came flash of light, sharp and vivid
for an instant, then utter darkness. A po-
liceman taking me for thief, had gently
tapped me on tho head as is their usual
custom, and with the usual result, and the
thief escaped, and 1, tho victim, was appre-
hended. My appearance told heavily a
gainst ne; but my story being fully cor
roborated by the boy at the barber's shop,
/ was released.
Upon examining the wallet found my
money intact and about $3.50 besides. That
is all the story.
Not bad speculation after ALL said as
he concluded.
well, perhaps not. No, it was not; but
still my advice holds goods. Never place
a railway ticket in your wallet.