Union and American. [volume] (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1875-1877, 1876-03-30
A TALE OF TWO TRUNKS.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

YIN, va ~ 0bANNet up0 ny
hands deep down into his trousers
pockets and assumed the insinuat-
ing grin that is supposed to facili-
tate business.
"But ! wasn't expecting to pay
so much" hesitated Mr.. Ernest
Elton, a portly, middle-aged gen
tleman, with gold eyeglasses, a
spotless suit of fresh broadcloth,
and irreproachable linen. 81 had
limited myself to-"
"Only two Of 'em made, sir"
persuasively broke in E. Jackolin,
lowering his voice to a whisper.
"Couldn't be afforded at the price.
A dead loss to the trade, sir. Why,
we've got to sell them for a mere
song. Twenty-Five DOLLARS! It's
enough to make one laugh. Look
at them zinc bindings, sir! look at
them wrought iron clamps! Just
e the patent locks, sir, and the
straps as a man might hang HIM
self by and never feel it! Why,
sir, you might fill that there trunk
with lead or granite and cart it
across the continent without start
ing a NALL"
3 at certainly appears very strong
and serviceabfe," said Mr.. Elton,
reflectively, feeling his chm. "And,
perhaps,--although | had limited
myself to eighteen dollars
you'll never feel the difference,
sir" said Mr.. Jackolin. Dear me,
sir, money spent for a valuable ar
ticle is as good as an investment.
Will you have your name printed
on the end, sir? We do it gratis"
"No, l won't" said Mr., Elton,
rather CURLY. 81 don't believe in
advertising myself while I'm travel
ing"
"And there's another advantage,
sir" said Mr.. Jackolin, ain a trunk
Of tins remarkable style and pat
tern. No difficulty in identifying
it sir. Ha! ha! ha, Why, a man
could tell it in Arabia or Lower
Japan!"
So Mr.. Elton bought the trunk,
ordered it sent to his address, and
went his way rejoicing.
Mrs. Elton-she was a sharp
nosed lady, a few years older than
her liege lord, and given to unrea-
sonable jealousy-put on her spec
tacles to look at the new purchase.
"How much did you give for it.,
Elton?" she demanded.
eighteen dollars, my love-" Mr..
Elton responded, with a mental
reservation of the other seven.
"Too much" was the conjugal
comment. But as, according to
Mrs. Eltons views of social econo-
my, her spouse invariably paid too
much for everything he bought, he
made no attempt to justify himself,
but went on laying out his shirts,
socks and slippers for a projected
commercial tour.
81 suppose you couldn't wat un-
til next week." said Mrs. Elton,
stirring a compound of rock-candy,
squills and liquorice in a small
stone pitcher. "For ! really think
my cold would be enough better
to"
"Quite out ofthe question, Sarah,
my dear, quite out Of the question:
Mr.. Elton hurriadly answered.
"Link a. Durmody regard it as es-
sential that l should so at once,
preparatory to the opening of Che
spring trade.
Mrs. Elton sneered out her re.
srets. She never allowed Mr.. Ell
ton to 90 travelling without her
when she could help it-but PrCvi-
dence and influenza were too strong
Cor her upon this occasion.
II know You'll get into some
scrape, Elton, if I'm not with YOU
sighed she. "You'ie as thoughtless
as a child, and"
81 hope not, my love, said Mr.
Elton, secretly cxultant. 1t wasn't
often he had the privilege Of beng
his own master, AID lie felt like
a boy just let out Of school.
Miss Mary Anne Binder bought
the second great bargain at the