The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-01-03
inches wide and six inches long, should have

The next billet was opened with a more
nervous state OF mind. As he broke the cal
and opened the envelope, another piece of
narrow paper, folded over from the ends in
three sections. dropped upon the desk. 1t
was the bread bill for six months, and called
for torty-fouT dollars and ten cents
rs it possible? Too bad too lad too bad |
l had no idea of this"
Thus the unhappy man expressed his feel
ings. While yet holding this bill in his
hands lad entered the store, and comm !,
back to the desk where he sat, politely hand
ed him an omnous piece of paper and re
tired. He opened it and read:-
''Mr. Archibald Lan--B ught of, &c.
The particulars we're, parcr stove at
twenty five dollars, a cooking stove at thirty,
and various other matters of Russia pipe.
fire-boards, etc., in all amounting to sixty
eight dollars. Although the genial heat
from the paIlor fire had comtorted Mr.. Lane
every evening since the stove came home,
and he had enjoyed the improved cooking of
the new addition to the kitchen. he had en-
tirely forgotten that the bill tor these in
creased advantages had never been settled.
81 declared he .lai ded half aloud, and
striking the deskas he spoke. "How came l
to forget that bill? / meant to have paid it
WHEN the articles came home, and told Jen-
kins to send it ill.,"
GOOu dtlcE III % NIL Adiic young ml0
came in from the post-offi e. There were
three letters, each with the city postmark,
and each with bill enclosed. One, the
tallors bill, called tor forty eight dollars;
another was rom the natter, AMI demanded
live; and the third came from jobbiug car
penter, who had been called in at sundry
times 10 mend and make. and asked for the
sum of twe1ty-th zee dollars and ninety-two
cents.
Mr.. Lane read them over, and then placed
them under paper wei hit on his desk, ut
tering at the anne time long-drawn sigh.
The morning paper was yet unread. 1t lay
on the desk beside Mr.. Lane; and from habit,
more than any desire to know its contents,
be opened it and commenced reading. An
occurrence OF some interest had taken place
in neighbrring city, ard he was in the midst
OF a narrative of the event, and much inter-
eated in it, when ne started aud turned quick
ly at the sound OF a voice near him. A man
had entered and was standin. at his elbow.
Good morning, Mr.. Lane"
"GoOd morning, Mr.. Williams, returned
Mr.. Lane. "Can do anything tor you to-
day?' he added in tone of affected cheer
fulness.
''Not mu.b," said the visitor, removing his
hat as be spoSe, and taking therefrom a
small package of papers, which he commence
ed tuning over.
"You hav'n bill against me ~ Mr.. Lane
spoke confidently
''What do you call that?" replied the man,
as he drew slip from the package in his
hand, and presented it,
lone barrel OF flour, five hams, bushel of
corn, ard sack of salt. Bless me! Didn
l pay tor these at the time? Why, it's nine
months since made the purchase! And I'm
certain l told you to send in the bill. l new
er like small matters OF this kind to stand,'
ut has been overlooked. But the money
viii be just as good now,' was the pleasant
answer.
With as good a grace as it was possible for
him to assume, Mr.. Lane turned to his des1,
and drawing forth his pocket-book, counted
out hirteen dollars, saying as he did So:
''The next time make a bill at your Store
l wish you to send it in before the first of
January
II won't PROMISE" was good-humoredy
replied, as the man bowed and withdrew.
The pleasure was III or his side, and he could
afford to be in good humor.
Il hope that's the last,' said Mr.. Lane, IS
he wound the string of his great pocket-book
around its distended sides, aud then laid it
back carefully in his desk. But he was in err
ror. Ere the day passed, the bootmaker sent
in his cill, amounting to fifteen dollars. and
from ladies' shoemaker came a little token.
footed up with the sum of twenty dollars
more. An upholsterer had been called upon,
to make chamber carpet, and do sundry lit
tie matters about the house during the year
and he called for eight dollars and thirty four
cents. Then the jobbine cabinet-maker had
his account to settle with Mr.. Lane for sun
dry applications of mis- art to bfoken-backed
Chairs, ricketty tables, loose veneering, etc..
etc., for which be wanted sixteen dollars.
Thus ii went on, hour after hour, until tow
ard evening. The glazier called tor two dol
lars and half: the timer presented bill for
tive dollars: and-t the .as-fitter for eight.
BY this lime human patience, at least so far
as Mr.. Lane was concerned, had become
well-uigh exhausted. He felt like making a
very severe application OF his foot to anv man
or boy who might invale his premises with a
bill.
He was sitting at his desk in this not yery
am,cable moo d, with the bills he had received
since morning spread ont before him, and a
slip OF paper in his hands, upon Which the
whole of the sums they called for, ar ountipg
to four hundred and sixty-nine dollars and
elghty-s'x cents, had been added up. wh.n he
head 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
the last half dozen years. He knew his er-
rand, and felt that this was adding insult to
injury. Peter came shutting back towards
the desk at which lane remained seated with
contracted brows, revealing at each step more
and more OF his polished ivory.
Little bill, Massa Lane" said the negro,
producing as he spoke, dingy piece of pa
per.
This was too much. 1t was an ordeal be-
yond what overtried patience could bear.
'Clesr out, you black rascalp' exclaimed
the sufferer, in passionate voice. IF YOU
say bill to me l Il cut your ears off,
Such al unexpected reception from ''Mas-
sa Lane" who had been looked upon by Pc
ter as one of the most amiable men in the
world, completely astounded the poor negro
and he beat hasty retreat, gancing hack ev-
cry now and then to see if an inkstand or pa
per-weight were not advancing in the direc-
ton 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 greatly increased had
seven devils been at his heels, Mr.. Lanes
mind was trembling back from its tate of un
comfortable excitement. LAYING Lis face
down upon the desk he sighed heavily. Nor
titicatiou took the place Of irritation, and an
ger against Others was succeeded by anger
against himself.
"Ah mel was breathed forth heavily at
last; and raising himself up, he gathered to-
gether The bills that were spread out beto,
him, and thrusting them in the desk turned
the key with finn hand, making the lock
CLICK as the bolt sprang to its place.
When Mr.. Lane went home that evening.
bis mind was calm. He had passed through
day of sad trial and disappointment; but he
knew the worst and was prepared for it.
When the milk bill, milliners aid dressmak-
ers bills, and sundry other little bills were
laid before him, he exhibited no emotion.
They were to his feelings like gentle breeze
after violent tie lpest, But on one tains he
was resolved; and that was, to pay cash in
future for everything.
"There most be no January pills next
| year,. said he to his family. after he had
looked at the sum to pay long enough to he
able % speak Oh the subject without. visible
emotion. LET cash be paid for everything
in the time to come. If the money is not in
hand when the want presents itself, let the
want waitp'
This was good resolution. But did Mr..
Lane and his arnily abide by it? Next jan
uary will tel.-T. s. arthur.
| WHEREAS William Parker of the City of Port.
w and IN the County OF Cumberland and State
A