Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-05-11

The other morning a woman about 80 years
old entered the American Express office and
stated that she was stopping III Detroit day
or two before going further East She found
she had too much baggage. and she wanted
to send big satchel home. She was told to
bring it along, and in half an hour she was
back with it. 1t was weighed and tagged,
and She was told that the charge was fifty
cents.
''Ill never pay so much she exclaimed.
at isn't worth cent over two shillings"
They argued and explained, end she final
lyproposed to take out some of the weight
and pay 40 cents. She removed dress, an
old pair of shoes, a skirt, and q night-cap.
and the weight was thus brought down to the
4O-cent standard.
Ten cents saved is ten cents earned" she
said. as she bundled the clothing up .Now,
don't want any of you men unlocking that
satchel or tossing it around. 1 never can
bear to see things kicked around rs if they
didn't cost anything"
The satchel was carried over to its depart
ment after she left, and in about an hour she
camein, saw it there, and called out
"Who on earth throwed my satchel here
among these plow-Roints and boxes: Where
is the boss of this office"
anything wrong, madam" inquired one
of the men.
Yes; there are several anythines wrong,
madam" she snapped out. That satchel
was sitting on the box over there when l
went out, and the mint my back was turned
some one gave it heave over here. Do you
know what's in that satchel:"
"No lam, he meekly answered.
"Well, there's china camphor-bottle that
cost GO cents. for one thing, and fits smash
ed L ii have my pay or raise lawsuit
'Oh, l warrant you that everything is all
right, ma'am. 1t was placed here to 90 out
with the other packages in that direction"
81 can't help about other packages and di-
rections-1m going to see if its all right"
she growled as she produced her keys. She
removed a red petticoat, an old dress waist,
calico skirt. and dilapidated black stocking,
and the china amThor-bottle was found all
hight
Didn't I tell you so?" asked the express
man.
Cant help that, and now l don't want
that satchel moved agin?" she muttered. as
she locked it and placed it on top of big
chest.
The boys never expected to see her again,
and by and by the satchel was placed on the
floor next to n rack containing n sewing-ma
chine. About IL o'clock, while they were
very busy, the old lady softly entered the
office. She caught sight of the satchel living
on its side. and Indignantly screamed out:
Il want to see the very head clerk of this
express shopi When | went ont of here an
hour ago left that satchel close to the wall
Now. when l come back to see if that stock
ing is the mate to this one under my ann, ]
find that you have been hsting everything
around aginr'
Il give you my word of honor that
81 can't help anything about words OF hon
or If that camphor bottle is broken, or
anything busted, I'll take that satchel right
out O here and demand my 10 cents and
damages
She opened it ai1 { '.nd everything all
right, put in the stocking She had brou ,ht
along and then said:
''Now, l WEE. an understanding about this
thing Are you geIng to let that satchel alone
or not?"
81 am. was the soft reply.
"Well, I'll be in again IN half an hour, and
want to find it exactly as l left it. There
leave it right. there"
When she reached the Office again an ex-
press wagon had Just started for the depot.
On top ofthe load of freight was that satchel
and the old lady + eye caught it hundred
feet away.
You man, you mani she shouted TO the
driver, but he wouldn't turn his face, and
putting her head into the express Office she
called out:
81 Will never leave this town without tell
ing the whole caboodle of YOU just how feel
over this piece of outrage! Sposen that
satchel falls off the wagon,"
Every man looked at her in silence, and
she went on:
'Sposcn that cnmphor bottle is busted"
More silence. Backing further out, she
"Sposen / foller this thing up
Perhaps she did. The boys over there are
expecting shock of some sort from hour to
hour.