South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-11-21

we will sell this sideboard. in regarl To
which | am requested bv the creditor TO
say that 1t Is an old family piece. X it is
the wish OF the owner TO retain IL, il pos.
sihle. | merely mention this. "a IL is
known 10 you under what peculiar cir
cumstanccs these things are Sold
This had the desired effect: no one
seemed willing To bid against the un-
fortunate man, who started il a, ten dol.
lars. Tweaty was Lid by Mr.. Clifford ::
twenty five from Mr.. Sunderland; fifty
from Mr. Clifford silenced the anxious
parent, and the family piece of fnrni.
ture was knocked down TO tue new own
er Of The house. A gentleman who stood
bv remarked that the act was a cold.
heattless one.
Was it?' sarcastically asked Mr.. Cliff
ford; Then, sirrswhy did you not buy it
for him?'
Mr.. Sunderland was much affected at
this little incident. lie little knows
how much lie has lacera'ed this heart.
But will purchase the piano for nv
child lie stepped up TO Mr.. Clifford
aud told him the desire lie had TO pur-
chase the piano for his daughter, aud
hoped lie would not bid against him.
Sir, said the stranger. Il will not de-
ccive you. as much as respect your
feelings and the sympathy OF the good
company. cannot, nay, will not, alter
the determination made when | fast en-
tered this house
And pray. sir, what may that be?'
To purchase everything in il, aud bv
heaven I'll do it, tough pay double
price
Strange mu,tcrcd Mr. Sunderland. AS
he found his family in another part OF
the room.
The stranger fu',ilcd the promise and
actually bought everything. from the
house itself DOWN 10 the very axe in tue
cellar.
After the sale was over and the com
pany had retired Mr.. Clifford requested
the auctioneer 20 walk with hun in,o an
room. After the lapse of IA
few moments they both returned to the
parior where the family still remained.
The auctioneer looked around, gave
knowing smile, wished them all good
dav, and as lie left the room was heard
10 say. ! never heard OF such tLing--
a perfect romance ia! ha! la
You are now, observed Mr. Sander
land 10 Nr. Clifford, the owner Of this
house and furniture they were once
let that pass
4 an, sir, for the time being, your
landlord
i understand yol, sir. hut will not
long remain your tenant. was "oin4
% observe, however. that there are two
or three articles which am anxious To
purchase that sideboard for instance, IS
a family relic, wall pay you fifty dollars.
the price yol paid, and feel assured
under the circumstances you Will not re-
fuse me this favor
i cannot take il, SIR
'Obducate-ungtateful man !
'WiIl yon not let pa buy nv piano,
sir| hunbly asked Ellen. ne wall give
You the price at which it. was sold.'
1T is painful for M. young lady, 30
refuse even this / will sell nothing
not even the WOO NV in the cellar
Then, Mr.. Clifford exc .,imcd Mr..
Sunderland, we have no further busi-
ness; come. nv dear Flea, get your
bonnie; -tGat's youc hIai box; let us
quit this house We az not even free
from Insult. Where is Nary
1 am here, sir; the hey CT my trunk
is lost and am ra7 en'pg itSwth g
rope.
Stop my girl meihinks I purchased
that trunk cody observed The stranger.
MI. Clifford, am not so oil hut thlt
can resent an insult; nay. will if you
carry this arrogant and 10 no. strange
conduct much farther. That poor girl
has been TO me AMI mine the best, and
may say the unIy friend she has re-
manned with Us in poverty, assisted us
IN oar distress, not only with her purse
but her hands; she is TO me not as a
servant hut one Of my family. For there
Is, thank hel: 10 such base disLinc-
tons in poverty that exist in state OF
bloa.ed wealth. Here. with nothing
but what we have upon our backs-Jhe
master and servant arc eqCal. She is
part Of my family aud will protect her
from insult. That trunk is hers and
who dare take e from he5? Not you,
sir !!
Mr.. Clifford cast his ewes upon Mary
who AT that moment arose from the floor
~ % 'i.yAi'bb h'NJ t5"N1A hPOt CIV -
other IN silence.
And she, you say, has been to you q
friend
Indeed she has n kin1, noble one
Mr.. Sunderland. stay one moment ;
my good girl put down that trunk take
a seat, madame; permit ne, Miss, 10
hand you n chair. Mr.. sunderland will
Won be seat,dS have something more
TO say. When you requested me TO
yield up the wish bad TO purchase this
sidcboard, told you that II was my dc.
termination TO buy it., and tell you
now that I will not sell it,
This, Mr.. Clifford. needs no rcpeti-
ton
'Ay, bat 10 does and whom this Young
lady made the same request for the piano
my answer was tic same. Stop. sir,
hear me ont no man would 90 act with.
out a motive: no one, particularly q
stranger. woUll court the displcasure Of
n crOwlcd room and bear up against the
many without an Obi Ct Now, / bad
an object, AID t1at was be seated, sir
madame, your attcnt.On--that object