The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-07-30

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dred on the premises, while if any body
had told me fifteen years ago that | should
be doing this | should have laughed a
him.
That pretty girl showing and explain'
ing the machine to a customer? That
Ruth, that is. Poor girl, | always think
of her and the bread thrown upon the wa
tiers at the same time.
Curious idea that, you''will say, but II
tell you why.
In our trade we have strange people &c
deal with. Most of 'em are poor, and
can't buy a machine right off, but ARE
ready and willing to pay so much a week,
That suits them and it suits me, if they'll
only keep the payments up to the end.
You won't believe me, perhaps, but
some of them don't do that. Some OF
them leave their lodgings, and | never see
them again; and the most curious part is
that the sewing-machine disappears with
them, and | never see that again. Many a
one. too, that has disappeared like that | do
see again-perhaps have it brought here by
some n to be repaired, or exchanged
for a bigger, or for me by a different
maker: for if you look around here you'll
see I've got all kinds-new and old, little
domestics and big trades-there, you name
any maker and see if l don't bring you
put II of his works.
Well, when | ask these people where
they got the machine-fOr always know
them by the number-it turns out that
they've bought it through an advertise
ment or at a salesrOOm, or maybe out of a
pawnbroker's shop.
But Pve had plenty of honest people to
deal with, toO-them as have come
keep up their payments, and asked me to
take their machine back, when FL allow
them as much as | thought fair, and
'twOuld be an end of a pleasant transac-
ton.
The way I've been bitten, though, by
some folks has made me that c~ase-harden-
ed that sometimes I've wondered whether
I'd got any heart left, and the wife>s had
70 interfere, telling me Eve been spoiled
with prosperity and grown unfeeling.
1t was she made me give way about
Ruth, for one day, after having my bvis-
ties all set up by finding Il that three
good sound machines, by best makers,
had gone nobody knew where, who should
come into the shop but alady-like looking
woman in very shabby widows weeds.
She wanted a machine for herself and
daughter 10 learn. and said she had heard
that | would take the money by INSTALL
mentS. Now, just halt an hour before by
our shop clock, | had made a vow that I'd
give up all that part of the trade, and |
was very rough with her-just as I am
when I'm crOSs-and said "NO."
But you will if the lady gives securi-
ty," says my wife hastily.
The poor woman gave such a wOe-be-
gone look at us that it made me more out
OF temper than ever, for [ could feel that
if | stopped | should have to let her have
one at her own terms. And so it was;
for there, if | didn't let her have a first
class machine, as good as new, she only
seven and six down. and under
taking to pay half a-crown a week, and no
more security than nothing.
To make it worse, too, if | didn't send
the thing home without charge, Luke 60
ing with it, for he was back at home now,
keeping my books, being grown into a fine
young fellow of five and twenty; and |
sat and growled the whole of the rest of
the day, calling myself all the weak-mind-
ed idiots under the u n and telling the
wife that business was going to the dogs,
and | should be ruined.
"You ought to be ashamed of yourself,
she said.
$50 am" saysI. 81 didn't think l
could be such a fool"
"Such "A fool as to do agOod kind action
to II who was evidently a lady born, and
down in the wOrld!"
YES" | says, ito living in Benefits
Place, where I've sunk no less than ten
machines in five years"
Eyes" says the wife, :" and cleared hun
dreds of pounds. Tom, Pm ashamed of
you-you, a man with twenty workmen
busy upstairs, a couple of thousand
pounds worth of stock, and in the bank
"Hold your tongue, will yOu!" [ said
and went out into the shop to
and work it all off.
Luke came back Don after, looking very
strange, and | was at him directly.
Where's the seven an sikh" [ says,
He didn't answer, but put three half
down on the desk, took out the
book, made his entries-date of delivery,
first payment, when The others due, and
all the rest of it-and was then going into