The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-02-06
THE TIMES, NEW BLooMFlELD, PA, FEBRUARY g. 1877.

the bread upon the table cloth, appro-
priated the plate for his own convent
ence. He then took possession of the
carving knife and fork, helped himself
bountifully to meat and vegetables, and
commenced eating his dinner with the
greatest composure imaginable. These
operations ON the part of Peter had the
effect to suspend all operations for the
time on the part of the rest of the COM
pany. The ladies had laid down their
knives and forks, and were staring at
Peter In wild astonishment.
" For mercy's sake, Mr.. Sharp" said
the lady of the house, "can't we pick
up money enough about the house to
pay this man his five dollars and send
him offY declare this is too provok-
ing. I'll see what / can find"
With that she rose and left the room.
Mr.. Sharp presently followed her. They
returned again In minute, and Mr.
Sharp laid five dollar bill before Peter,
and told him he would thank him to
leave the house. Peter examined the
bill to see If it was a good one, and very
quietly folded it and put it into his pocl-
ct. He then drew out little pocket-ink-
stand and piece of paper, laid it upon
the table before him, wrote receipt for
the money, which he handed to Mr..
Sharp, rose from the table, bowed to the
company, and retired, thinking as he
left the house that he had had full
enough of the custom of Solomon Sharp,
the importer.
Peter Punctual still followed his voca-
ton of circulating magazines. He had
no intention of ever darkening the door
of Solomon Sharp's store again, but
but somehow or other, two or three
years after, as he was canvassing for
subscribers in the lower part of the
city, he happened to blunder into the
same store accidentally, without MOTTO
ing the name upon the door. Nor did
hediscover his mistake, until he had near
ly crossed the store and attracted the at
tention of Mr.. Sharp himself, who was
at his accustomed seat at the desk where
Peter had before so often seen him.
Peter thought, as he had got fairly into
the store, he would not back cut so he
stepped up to Mr.. Sharp witho1t look
of recognition, and asked if he would
not like to subscribe for some magazines.
Mr.. Sharp, who either did not recognize
Peter, or chose not to appear to recog-
nize him, took the magazines and look
ed at them, and found couple he said
q WOnlH A IN fol 10 nd in h1
terms. They were each three dollars
year in advance.
But don't pay in advance for any
thing" said Sharp. "If you have
mind to leave them at my house, to be
paid for at the end of the year, you may
put me down for these two."
"No," said Peter, 81 dou't wish to
take any subscribers, but those who pay
in advance"
Saying this, he took up his specimens,
and was going out of the door, when Mr..
Sharp called him back.
Here, young man, you may leave
those two at any rate" said he, land
here's your advance" handing him the
six dollars.
"Where will you have them left 2"
said Peter.
Sat my house, up town." said Mr..
Sharp, describing the street and num-
ber.
The business being completed, Peter
retired, much astonished at his good
luck. He again became Q monthly visit
or at Mr.. Sharp's door, where he regu-
larly delivered to the servant girl the
two magazines. Two or three months,
after this, when he called one day on his
usual round, the girl told him that Mr..
Sharp wanted to see him, and desired
he would call at the store. Peter felt
not little curious to know what Mr..
Sharp might have to say to him; so in
the course of the same day he called at
Mr.. Sharp's store.
"Good morning" (" said Mr.. Sharp as
Peter entered; come, take chair, and
sit down here"
Peter, with "good morning, sir"
did as he was desired,
I" "Ain't you the young man, =" said Mr..
Sharp with comical kind of look,
"who set out to board out subscription
to the New England Magazine at my
house two or three years ago p''
EYES," said Peter, " believe I'm the
same person who once had the honor of
taking board at your house."
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