The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1879-02-06


bis desk, and drawing forth Bis packet.
book, e0unicd out thirteen dollars; say.
ing, ss he did 70
The next time | make bin Al your
store, Wish you to send Il 10 before The
first Of Jauaary.
II ] Won't promise, was good humorcdly
replied. As the man bowed and withdrew
The pleasure wac all on bis side, aud be
could afford 10 be IN sgood hnmor.
4 hope that's The last, said Mr. Lane,
A. be wound the string OF bic great pocket
book around and around us distented
sides, aud then laid Il carefully back in
bic desk. Bat be was 10 error Ere The
dsY passed, bic bootmaker Sontin bis bin,
amounting TO hfteen dollars and from 3
ladies shoemaker came ike token,
1 footed up With the sum OF twenty dollars
more. An upholsterer had been called
upon to make chamber carpet, aud DO
suudry little matters about the house dur,
I ing the year; aud he called for eight dol.
/ lars aud thirty.four cents. Then the job
bing cabinet maker had bis &C c,ount 10
settle with Mr.. Lane for sundry spplica-
tious Of his art to brokeu.backed chairs,
rickety tables, loose vcneering, etc, etc,
for all OF which he wanted sixteen dol
lars. Thus Il went on, hour after hour,
until toward evening. The glazler called
for two dollars; aud The gas filter Tor
eight.
BY this time, human patience, at least so
far as Mr.. Lane was concerned, had be-
come well nigh exhausted. He felt like
making very severe application OF bis
foot 10 any msn or boy who might invade
his premises with a bill. lie was sitting
at bis desk, 10 this not very amiable
mood, with the bills he had received
since morning spread out before him, and
a slip of paper in his hand, upon which
the whole OF the sums they called for,
amounting to four hundred aud sixty
nine dollars and eighty-six cents, had been
added up, when he heard the door open
and shut. Turning with nervous start,
be saw the familiar face of an old negro
who had polished his boots for the last
half dozen years. lie knew bis errand,
and felt that this was like adding insult
TO injury Peter came shutting back to-
ward the desk at which Lane remained
seated with contracted Ibrow, revealing
at each step, more and more Of his polish
ed ivory.
Little bill, masss Lane, said the negro,
producing, rs he spoke, diugy piece of
paper.
This was too much. IL was an ordeal
beyond what overtried patience could
bear.
Clear out, you black rascal exclaimed
the sufferer, in passionate voice. III
you say bill to me, I'll cut your ears off!
Such an unexpected reception from
Massa Lane, who had been looked upon
by Peter ss one of the most amiable men
in the world, consequently astounded the
poor negro; aud be beat bssty retreat,
glsncing back every now and then 10 see
if sn inkstand or paper weight was not
advancing in the direction of bis head
with something like lightning speed.
To sudden storms, there always follows
a deep calm. BY the time Peter had van.
ished through the door retiring at veleo-
city which could not have been greatly
increased had there been seven devils at
bis heels, Mr.. Lanes mind was trembling
back from its state of uncomfortable ex-
citement. Laying bis face down upon
the desk, he sighed heavily. Mortifca-
tion took the place of irritation, and an.
ger against others was succeeded by an
GER against himself.
Ah me was breathed forth heavily, at
last; and raising himself up, be gathered
together the bills that were spread out be-
fore him, aud thrustug them in the desk
turned the key with firm hand, making
the lock click as the bolt sprang to lie
place.
When Mr.. Lane went home that even
Ing his mind was calm. He bad passed
through day OF sad trial aud disappoint-
ment; but be knew the worst, aud was
for H.. When the milk bill,
mi liners aud mantuaDaker's bills, aud
sundry other little bills we're laid before
him, he exhibited no emotion. They
were to hi. feelings like a gentle breeze
after violent tempest But one thing
he was resolved; aud that was, TO pay
cash IN future for everything.
There must be no January bills next
year, said be TO his family, after be bad
looked at The sun to pay long enough
to speak on the subject without visi-
Bile emotion. Let each be paid for every
thing in the time TO come. If the money
isn't 10 hand when the want presents it-
SELF let the want wait!
This was good resolution. But did
Mr.. Lane and his family abide by Ill
Next January will tell.
CHARMING INcIDENT