The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-07-22

ASS ASAN - q V@O tNAA-Ny AON~A -
ed the store-keeper to this address
he spoke. angrily-jast bear in mind
that Paul Eastman was never driven
an inch in bis life. He won't go IN
der whip and spur, no how. So,
if you want anything out OF him,
you'll have to come to another spirit.
'Bluster is all very good, said the
countryman, who was a resolute fel-
low; if you can only find the right
persons for its exercise. As it hap
pens, | don't belong to that class. I
come to you in plain, straight for
ward way. l ask only justice l am
willing to abide the decision of any
three disinterested men who may be
chosen, ifthat plan viii sait you
No. replied Eastman, over whose
mind some hurried thoughts had
passed. am not disposed to make
a mountain out Of such a trihe ike
this. 4 wonderful matter to submit
to reefreesl III return you three dol
lars for the damage, and so end the
affair at once.
But the countryman shook his
head. I want only what is right,
said he. Three dollars wont heal
the damage, nor give NE decent
coat to ware. The tailor says that
nothing else than a yard and quarter
more of cloth win enable him to get
out ind garment
"A yard and a quarterl Preposter-
ousl The damage didn't cover yard.
replied Eaastman, thrown Oft his
guard
All Then itseens you were aware
of the defect when you sold the cloth.
said the countryman quickly. SO it
was a deliberate swindle. Very wellh
And SAYING this he rolled up the
cut out garment, and, withot speaking
another word, placed his bundle IN
der his arm and went away.
This occurrence made Mr. Eastman
feel anything but comfortable. As
for the countrymans threats, he did
not feel greatly alarmc d on their ac-
count. His departure, even though
accompanied by menace, was felt to
be a relief and the stOre-keeper fat
tered himself that he had seen the
last of him.
About half an hour afterwards
while attending to 4 customer, be
saw an individual enter the store
whose appearance did not produce
very agreeable sensations After the
customer went out, this parsonage
came up to Eastman, and handing
him u pauer said;
eve want you around at the Office
at four o'clock to-day
The paper was amagistra-e's sum-
mons. As be looked at 1t, Eastman
colored deeply.
I Whats the troublezn asked the Of
ieer, who was well acquainted with
the store keeper.
"Oh nothing much. I sold a piece
of goods, which happened to be slight
/ ly damaged, to a eountryman, and he
wants to make q speculation out Of
.me. I.offered him everything that a
reasonable man could have expected;
but to no effect. And now, it seems,
he has gone to law about it. Very
well. Let him get what the law will
give him"
Some people are never contented
unless in hot water" remarked the
officer, as be turned away and left
the store.
Notwithstanding the confident way
in which Eastman had just spoken,
be did not feel SO very comfortable in
mind; nor was he so sure that there
would be q decision OF the matter in
bis favor.
Il wish I'd taken tRe cloth back,
and thus got rid of the whole affair,
said he to himself, as heswalked IN
easily about his store. But it's too
late for a compromise now. He has
thought fit to drag me before a mag
istrate; so let him get what the law
will give him. He'll find that there
are two sides to this question. More
over, if he is not sick Of the business
before be is done with it, L am mis-
taken. -
Four O'Clock came, and Mr.. East
man presented himself at the Office of
the magistrate, where his customer
4 for the bFoadcloth was ready to con-
front him. After hearing the case,
the magistrate decided that Eastman
must make good the damage, and
pay the cost Of the legal proceedings.
''I'll appeal against your decision.
It's unjust, . said Mr. Eastman.
Very well. You have the right
to do So" replied the magistrate.
And the appeal was made.
The countryman, obliged by this
proceeding, to go without coat for
a year or two, OF BY new piece oi
cloth outright, preferred the latter
course. But be was, very naturally
indignant, and did all IN his power to
prejudice his neighbors against East
man and prevent them from dealing
at his store. Ia this be was pretty
successful, aud Eastman lost the sale
Of many patterns for cheating in Que
4 The lawyer employed by Eastman
and the one feed by the countryman
being good friends and not over scru
pulous, put their heads together anG
resolved to make the bestof the case
Each required retaining fee Of five
dollars al the beginning
so much lost" was the menta
ejaculation of Eastman, as be left hi:
llawyer's efice after paying this fee
SO much lest" he repeated when
ion the case being called in court. il
was, from some cause which he coulC
not understand, postponed to another
term, and he required to pay bill 0
costs amounting to eight or nine dol
lars.
At last a decision was obtained
Ii affirmed the one given by the mag
istrate. So, after all, Eastman hat
to refund the countFyman the price 0
the cloth, and pay all the cour
charges. 1t cost him from first t,
last, about ffIy dollars.
But the account of loss and gaii
. was by no means settled The noto
. riety given to the transaction operai
ed most injuriously upon the interest
. of the store-keeper, whose burines
! rather declined than increased. MI
, Bond hinted his suspicious about th
/, hals dollars nnd the old lady from th