Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-04-10

ness of thisfellow almost exceeds belief. /"
"Blunt !" l says, as 1 went down;
"well, l am rather, but it's being put
alongside of some one that's extra sharp
makes me show off so badly"
And then there was bit more of a
laugh in the court, as was hushed down
again, when the Judge spoke very sharp
ly upon the case in question, saying as
the tally system was perfect abomina-
ton, and very curse to poor people;
that in some cases he was compelled to
adiudicate in favor of the tallymen; but
in this matter he was glad to say that he
could nonsuit the plaintiff, who had
forced goods upon defendants wife un-
known to her husband.
Well, was very glad to think that
Tom had got off, though couldn't say
l liked being badgered about as I had
been; but seeing it had been to serve q
friend, why, it didn't much matter; and
on going over it at home with Betsy, I
knew as couldn't be quite so bad as
that man made out, or else 1 shouldn't
have been in our shop solong that out of
fifty hands was the oldest in the shop
that is osay, [ had been employed more
years. So that soon passed over, while
it was quite treat to see how relieved
Toms wife seemed, and it would have
been clever tallyman that would have
got the blind side of her again.
Now, [ don't want to say a word
against packmen taking their goods
round from house to house, and doing
business in an honest fashion; it's the
temptations they spread to get the peo-
pie in debt, and then when once they get
them under their thumb in that way, it s
all over with them. This is the way
they got over Toms wife. Chap comes
not Mr.. Alexander MacTammy, Ii
censed hawker, A. B. @. D., but Mr.
Donald Kamish.
"Don't want anything" says Toms
wife; "not to-day"
But my gentleman knew her weak
point, and had got q snowy dress piece
over his arm, and fourished it about
before her eyes, and as soon as she gave
one look at it she was done; for Donald
put his pack upon the table, unstrapped
it in twinkling, and, in spite of all
declarations to the contrary, dragged
out first one thing and then another, till
the table was covered, and the poor, weak
woman confused amongst the many
bright things before her.
"The gown would certainly make up
very sweetly, and the green one she wore
on Sundays was going bit; but there
it wouldn't do-take them away,
please; she had no spare cash that day,
and she wouldn't be purchaser-some
other time, perhaps"
"Was that all the reason? Oh, that
didn't matter; only to glad to trust such
a respectable customer. She could pay
him little when he came around next
time; and then again little; SO that it
would soon be worked off.
And before Toms wife could say any
thing, the dress was folded up and laid
upon the side table, and Donald was
showing his shawls.
But no; she would not be tempted
with one of these-not that day; though
Donald was so civil and ready to trust,
and really shilling now and q shilling
then, scraped out of the housekeeping,
would soon clear it off. But no, moi
this time; and he must clear his things
away, please, for it was nearly twelve
and she was afraid that her master
would be back to dinner.
Poor Mrs. Ellis that was the KEY tt
the fortress, and the enemy was let in
"She was afraid her master would bt
back" Of course, she did not mear
him to know of the purchases-not yet
for he would not approve of the way il
which they were obtained. She worllC
get them paid for first. Donald Kamisl
knew his business, and managed to daw
die about till he saw the woman was il
fever of expectation, when he took up
shawl that had been left to the last-th,
one that had attracted Mrs. Ellis eye
and began pressing it upon her, tell
ing her at last, when she was in drea,
that her husband would come, that h.
would leave it till he called again; ant
she, glad to be rid of him at any price
scuffled the things into a drawer, an,
, hurried on the dinner cloth, while Don
aid Kamish-canny chiel-gave himsel
Scotch wink, and artfully entered Mrs
Ellis name in his pocket day-book fo
the piece and shawl at cent. per cent
profit, to be paid for by installments
J For they were respectable people evi
dently-the Ellises-tidy, well-furnishe
cottage, and only two children. SO Don
{ aid Kamish was satisfied with his morn
/ ing's work, though Mrs. Ellis min
was i'll at ease all the time her husban
= was at home; and when he had gon
. back to work, a peep at the glories c
the new goods did not reconcile her t
> the bit of deceit she was about to prac
tice.
"But never no MORE" said Mrs
t Ellis.
And when Donald came round sh
paid her installments, and steadily rt
fused to inspect the pack.
} Two mora visits with the snne resnL