Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-02-26
4 SLIGHT MISTAKE.

more alike than we are; that Is as far as
personal appearance goes; beyond that
Jim and are utterly dissimilar. For in
stance: am fond Of trade, Jim hates 1t I;
have a great dislike TO horse racing, jim
dotes upon what he pleases to call The
turf" l avoid danger to such an extent
that have heard some uncharitable peo-
pie call my caution cowardice; now, moth
| ing pleases my brother better than running
risks; am quiet and peaceable TO fault,
while Jim is always up to mischief and
constantly in hot water; in a word, two
creatures more alike in features and unlike
in character never existed.
How did it cannot tell, but by some
means, managed to offend big, hulking
fellow, whom recognized as the owner of
a butchers shop exactly facing my estab-
llshment. ! tried all could to soothe the
monster, but he glared at me like an ogre,
and made such very strong remarks that l
thought it better to keep silent, hoping
thereby to let the storm blow over. Vain
hope the butcher being unable to speak
to me, in consequence of my silence, vent
ed his malice by speaking at me. lie COM
planned about tradesmen opening new
shops in opposition TO the old ones; de-
clared that he had been made quite sick by
some bad butter he had seen that day, and
hoped when the inspector Of weights and
measures visited the neighborhood, that he
would look after some shopkeepers in par
ticular, for he, Mr.. Grote, had watched one
fellow tampering with his weights and
scales all day.
/ knew he meant me, for certainly had
amused myself in the intervals of serving
my customers by polishing 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 reply.
"Sir," said l, in the most conciliatory
manner possible, 81 am exceedingly sorry
that should have unwittingy offended
you, as it appears have done, but cam
not fail to see that your observations are
evidently intended for me-"
"If the cap fits you may wear it," grin
ned the brute. "I shan't mention names,
to give any one the opportunity of getting
the law of me; 1 amt so green.'
"The cap does not fit" replied, "fOr
beg to say that my butter is excellent, my
scales just, and that all your accusations
are entirely false
With howl OF rage the brute sprang
from his seat, and dashed his pipe in my
face. Luckily, two of his companions
seized him, SO that l was able to make my
escape from the room hut as fed could
hear him vociferating, "Come on your cow
ard-let me go-yah you curr' and so on
until had left the house.
From that moment my life was full of
misery. That horrid wretch, Grote, would
not let me alone he leased me morning,
noon and night, until became the laugh
ing stock of the neighborhood, and conse-
quently my trade fell off until ruin SEEM
ed to stare me in the face. My neighbors
avoided me as il / had the plague, and
some even went so far as TO Join the butch
er in annoying me, so that at last became
| frightened TO go out, and passed my eve
nings in the little parlor behind my shop,
making up my books.
One night whilst l was so engaged, a
ring came at the bell. / opened the door,
and a man clad in long cloak. the collar
of which was turned up so as to conceal
his face, rushed into the passage, proceed
ing l no soon er remarked than immedi-
ately prepared to rush out into the street.
for | cannot bear burglars but before l
could execute my purpose the fellow
caught me by the shoulder, and in tones
that froze my very blood, whispered in my
ear:
Don't be a fool, Dick come in and shut
the door, shall be seized"
"Jimr l stammered "why, what is
the matter?"
"Shut the door and come into the parlor,
then will tell you"
did as he commanded, and then waited
impatiently for the explanation of this sud-
den and mysterious visit.
"Phewr' said Jim, as he threw off his
cloak, "Fve had narrow escape
but how have you had an escape -? and
from what have you escaped?"
"Dick, am ruined T. cried my brother
throwing himself into a chair. 81 backed
the wrong horse for the st. Leger, and have
lost all my money"
~ knew. you would, Jim," l said 81
knew you would. But it's no use crying
over split milk, as the proverb says; yor
must come and share with me, though
fer you, for that horrld butcher has nearly
ruined me-"
YOU'RE a good fellow, Dick, but have
worse news still. You must know that
had el000 placed in my hands TO buy hors
es for gentleman. So convinced was
that Vanderdecken would win this race
that not only put my money on him, bu
also that which 1 had in trust. have los
all, and have had to fly to avoid the po
lice"
The frightful news so overcame me tina
l could only wiring my hands and exclaim
"Oh, what is TO he done? What is to b.
done?"
This is what must be DONE" said Jim
in hurried whisper; "you must take nj!
clothes aud my name, and will take your
in exchange; you must go down TO Actor
to my rooms, and l will carry on you
business here. Do you see?"
"Yes, see but the police may arres
me by mistake"
"Of course they will that's the beaut.
of the thing. l expect TO make hatful O
, uiOuey ONoI tuo uoAt race anu Wueu nav
done that I will show up, declare that th
whole affair has been mistake, either pa,
the elOOO or buy the horses you will b
: released, and can bring an action for dam
ages for false imprisonment"
"Yes, that is all very well, Jim but sup
pose you should not win this money!"
"Nousense, my dear fellow l must wi
~ IT'S as afa "a tha hank -
"Yes, but so was Vanderdecken."
HOh boihar VanderdackanI fell Won