The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-04-15

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The merchant named the price.
MERCY p groaned the minister, and
grasped his pocket book tighter.
"My good man, you must really be more
reasonable" said the lady; "of course
am not purchasing this dress for myself.
am buying it for dear, good servant of
NINE"
every poor gid,r said the minister,
"but just and upright She is member
Of my Bible class.,'
i am sorry" said the merchant "but
that is the very lowest price. This is one
price store"
"Come, my beloved friend, throw dol
lar off," said the minister "Recollect tho
dress is not for my wife, here, but is in
tended as present to poor Matilda Smith,
our hired girl"
eyes" said the lady, 81 thought we
could get dress from you that would suit
Matilda. always purchase my dresses on
Eighth street. But of course you know
that"
"Wcll," said the merchant, "as it is for
Matilda, will throw off dollar. Where
shall send the dress?"
"There is the address," said the minis
ter, handing a card. Rev. Nicodemus
Lark, No 40 Goldfish Park"
"All right, sir. The dress shall be sent
Immediately.
Now the merchant had grave suspicious
about the dress being intended for Matilda
Smith, and believed the lady intended to
wear it herself So he decided to investi-
gate the case by taking the dress home
himself.
On arriving at 40 Goldfish Park he rang
the bell bouncing Irish girl came to
the door.
Good evening"" said the gentleman,
"does Matilda Smith live here?"
Faith, and that's my name, sir" said
the girl with her eyes wide open.
Matilda, your mistress has purchased
dress at my store, for you, as present
She is very anxious that it should ft you,
so if you will go up to your room and put
it on, and then let me see how it fits, will
make any alterations that may be neces-
sary.
"Shure, and it's big words you're afther
spakin, and / don't understand you at all;
but if you want me to put on the Dress III
do it in jiffy. Just walk into the parlor,
and sit down on the sofy.
The girl then ran up stairs, and was alb
sent ten minutes. When she re-appeared,
she was attired in the newly-purchased
dress. 1t was rather tight fit.
"How does it please you, Miss Smith?"
, Its just the tip" said Miss Smith,
| "but it needs tuck or two let out in the
breast"
Just then the door opened, and in came
o Rev. Mich. Lark and lady.
"Why, Matilda Smith p groaned the
/ minister.
matilda Smith, take off that dress i'm
mediately!" cried the lady, in rage
How dare you dress up in my new
clothes 2"
" 1t was the gentleman, num-" said Ma
!, tilda, frightened; she said the dress was
for me.'
n The minister and his lady were rather
n crestfallen on beholding their visitor.
r. "You said," remarked the visitor, 'that
q the dress was for Matilda-so / told her to
o try it on
g "You were entirely too busy said the
i lady, spitefully "you can take the dress
q back to South street, don't want it,"
g Well, madam, the next time you come
= to South street to purchase a dress, don't
be ashamed Of your economy, and do moi
tell falsehood about buying it for youi
servant. You will then avoid such mis-
takes as this"
i A loud wall came from Matilda Smith
d The upheaving of her troubled breast was
2 too much for the buttons on her dress
They went flying all over the room.
'e "Tho dress is ruined now, madam,
said the man OF cloaks and suits. " 1 can
= not take it back now"
p "Well, won't pay you," said thu
fl lady.
"You purchased it under a false pre-.
d tence," was the reply. "But however
l. the price of dress won't ruin me. Keel
y it, Matilda but the next time your mis-
a tress wants another cheap dress, don't LEI
her buy it under cover of your name. Coco
,ls evening""
And he departed, leaving the good lad.
g fuming with rage, the parson fishing ;
t. button out of his eye, and Matilda Smitl
oil IL, tt,,nr