The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-11-13
A Slight Mistake.

likeness to each other is so great that 1t
is positively unpleasant to our friends
and ourselves. The celebrated Corsican
brothers were no more alike than we
are that is,as far, as personal appear
ance goes beyond that Jim and l are
utterly dissimilar. For instance / am
fond of trade, jim hates it; haye a
great dislike to horse racing, Jim dotes
upon what lie pleases to call "the turf" |"
i avoid danger to such an extent that
have heard some unchartable people
call MY caution cowardice now,l moth.
ing peases my brother better than run
ming risks; am quiet and peaceable
to fault, while Jim is always up to
mischief and constantly in hot water ;
in word, two creatures more alike in
features and unlike in character never
existed. ff y r. sIsfs r tiua.-s s... o..
How / did it cannot tell, by some
means, l managed TO offend big,
hulking fellow, whom recognized as
the owner of a butcher shop exactly
facing my establishment. Itried all /
could to soUthe the monster, but he
giared at me like an ogre, and made
such very strong remarks, that thought
it better to keep silent, hoping thereby
to let the storm blow over. Vain hopel
The butcher being unable to speak to
me, in consequence of my silence, ven
ted his malice by speaking at me. He
complained about tradesmen opening
new shops in opposition to the old ones;
declared that lie had been made quite
sick by SOME bad butter he had seen
that day, and hoped when thefinspector
of weights and measures visited the
neighborhood, that he would look after
some shop-keepers in particular, for lie,
Mr. Grote, had watched one fellow
tIampering with his weights and scales
all day. rli.la aaH1. af.1
knew he meant me, for certainly
had amused myself in the intervals of
serving my customers by polishing up
my scales and weights, and as l saw by
their looks that the company knew the
wretch Intended me, had no help for
it but to oreQ'y. si3h sa'
"Sir," said I, in the most concllia-
tory manner possible, 81 am exceed
ingly sorry that | should have unwit,
tingIy often ed you, as it appears |
have done, but cannot fail to zee that
your observations are evidently intend
ded tor me-.
i-" If the CAP fits you may wear it,"
grinned the brute. " shan't mention
names, to give anyone the opportunity
OF getting the law of lne 1 amt 50
green.
=" The cap does not fit." replied,
"for beg to say that my butter is ex-
cellent, my scales just, aud that all
your accusations are entirely false"
With a howl of rage the brute sprang
from his seat, and dashed his pipe in
my face. Luckily, two of his coinpan
ions seized him, so that l was able to
make my escape from the room but as
! fled could hear him vociferatlng
"COme on, you coward-let me GO
yah You cur |" and SO on, until had
left the house.
From that moment my life was full
of misery. That horrid wretch, Grote,
would not let NE alone; lie teazed me
morning, noon, and night, until l be.
came the laughing stock Of the neigh
borhood, and constantly my trade fell
OIL until ruin seemed to stare me in the
face. My neighbors avoided me as If
had the plague, and some even went so
far as to join the butcher in annoying
me, so that at last became frightened
to SO out, and passed my evenings in
the little parlor behind my shop,
making up my books. -
One night While l was so engaged, a
ring came at the bell. opened the
door, and man clad in long cloak,
the collar of which was turned up so as
to CONCEAL his face, rushed into the
passage, proceeding no sooner re-
marked than immediately prepared to
rush cut into the street, tor ieannot
bear burglars but before | could exc
cute my purpose the fellow caught me
by the 'shonder, aud in tonesit that fruze
my very blood, whispered in my ear:
90 " DON'T be 4 fool, Dick come in and
shut the door, or shall be seized.''
"Jim - stammered /; "why, What is
the matter ?"
"Shnt the door and come into the
parlor, thenI Will tell You. r
/ did as he commanded, and then
waited inpatiently for tile explana ton
Of this sudden anil mysterious visit.
HcM stlu Jlhiy as Ho lHItW Ou MS
cloak, "l'ye had narrow escape"
= But how have you bad an escape
and from wLat have you escaped ?''
" Dick, l am ruinedl,' cried my
brother, throwing himself into chair.
g backed tie wrong horse for the st.
Ledger, and have lost all my money"
81 knew you would, jim" / said;
" l knew you would. But it's no use
crying over split milk, as the proyerb
says .iyou must COME and share with
me, though heaven knows that | have
not much to offer you, for that horrld
butcher has nearly ruined me-"
You're good fellow Dick, but | |
have worse news STILL You must know
hat 1 had 81, 900 placedin my hands
TO buy horses for a gentleman. So coli
vinced was that Vauderdecken would |
win the race, that not only put my
money on him, but also that which / |
had lnhrust. have lost ALL aiG have I
had TO fly TO avoid the police"
The frightful news so overcame me
hat l could only wiring my hands aud
Oh, what is to be done {? |