The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-02-07
Selett Sturg,
I'LL CALL AND PAY.

" fAAN 10 AAhN EAlb a'll lAlhNbbls ho
with an indolent, halfindiiferent air, he
took folded paper from the hand of a
boy, The day was Saturday--the hour
about one.
"Oh ycs--I see r. he added moment
aiterward. "Yery we'll. Say to Barker,
I'll call around aud pay him. Can't at.
tend to It now"
Mr.. Redwoods fire proof stood only six
feet from the place where he was sitting
the door was wide open-the check book
in sight--and the balance in bank was
just four thousand dollars 1t would
have taken only slight effort and con
sumed but two minutes time for him to
have drawn a check for sixty.eight dollars
and fourteen ccuts-the amount of Mr.
Barkcr's bill But he was 10 an indoleut
frame of mind, and it was so much easier
to say, "l'll call around and pay" than to
rise from his quiet position and go to all
the trouble Of writing check and taking
a receipt.
The boy looked disappointed aud lin
gered a moment.
Did You understand me said the mer-
chant, speaking rather sharply.
AYES, sir; but"
"But what2'
at is Saturday, sir--and--aud'
Il didn't inquire of you as to the day
of the week, was testify answered
The boy looked frightened, and went of
instantly.
Saturday, indeed :" muttercd Mr.. Red.
wood to himself, 4 rare piece of infor.
nation A bright boy, really What
has Saturday to DO with the payment Of
my shoemaker's bill ?"
did you get the money from Mr.. Red.
wood p asked the shoemaker, as the boy
came in. His face wore an anxious look
"No, sir. lie says he will call around
aud pay"
"When? p
"Hc didn't mention any time, replied
the boy.
odd you tell him that Il was Saturday,
and had my workmen and workwomen
to pay OFF,"
81 tried to, sir; but il seemed to make
him angry; and he is good customer"
TOO bad too bad" calculated the shoe
maker, breaking upon the boys words.
"Call around aud pay Why didn't he
send the money? that would have been
easier"
Rising from his bench, the shoemaker
went to his little unpainted pine desk, on
which was an old square cork inkstand
and the stump of quill, five inches long,
which was digniied by the name Of pen,
and took thcrefrom package Of bills. He
went over them twice before selecting one
for collection, for there seemed but little
promise for that 10 any Of them.
"Take this to Mr. Glenn" be said to
his boy, "and tell him that he will partic-
ularly oblige me if he will let me have the
money. Say that would not have trou-
bled him again, but it is Saturday, aud |
have my workmen to pay"
The boy was gone nearly half an hour
Mr.. Glenns store was in a distant part of
the town, though his family, for whom Mr..
Barker worked, lived in the neighborhood.
A dozen times before he came back had
the anxious mechanic paused in his work
and Fixed his eyes upon the door, hoping
for the boys return. At last he came in.
"Wel, Andrew, what success p He
tried to speak cheerfully.
"Mr. Glenn says he viii call and pay"
The shoemakers countenance fell. lie
let his eyes drop to the work in his lap,
aud bent his face downward that its ex-
preston might be partly concealed from
the boy.
"Did you say that he would oblige me
particularly by settling the bill, as it was
Saturday, and had my workmen to pay2"
ayes, sir; but he turned off, saying be
didn't want to hear anything more from
me"
Barker sighed, aud for some moments
sat very still upon his bench. Then rising
slowly, he referred agnin to his package Of
unsettled bills.
Suppose you try Mr.. Coles again"
The boy shook his head aud remarked,
with some familiarity Of manner, "poor
chance there! He's been going to call
around and pay these three months.
When did you see Mr.. Winton p ask
ed the shoemaker,
'Last week"
"What did he say2'
"That he would call around"
"Call around It's only eet-of I'm
out of all patience = And tho perplexed
shoemaker grew excited. "They are all
eager enough 10 get their work, aud sharp
spoken enough IL Il isn't ready to the min
ute. But when il comes to paying, the
matter is too little consequence TO claim
their attention. All, here's Mayberry's
accOunt--he had been running over the
bills as he talked-didn't b, promise to
settle tosday9'' AZ
Il think be did, sir, replied the boy,
aVery we'll. Hurry round TO bis store
aud catch him before he goes TO dinner"
The boy started off with his usual alac.
ia. - Qaskar ant dawn N wnrk and