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


with an indolent, halfindifFerent air, he
took folded paper from the hand of q
boy. The day was Saturday-the hour
about one.
"Oh yes--I see p he added, n moment
aherward "Very we'll. Say to Barker
Ill call around and pay him. Can't at
tend to ii now"
Mr. Redwood's fire-proOf stood only six
feet from the place where he was sitting
the door was wide open-the cheek book
in sight--and the balance in bank wa:
just four thousand dollars. 1t would
have taken ouly slight effort and con
sumed but two minutes time for him to
have drawn check for sixty-eight dollar:
and fourteen ceuts-the amount of Mr.
Bankers bill But he was in an iudolent
frame Of mind, and it was so much easicl
to say, IN call around and pay" than tC
rise from his quiet position aud 60 to all
the trouble Of writing check and taking
a receipt.
The boy looked disappointed aud lin
gered moment.
Did you understand me p said tho mer
chant, speaking rather sharply.
AYES, sir; but"
"But what?'
at is Saturday, sir--and-and'
II 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 A rare piece of infor
nation A bright boy, really What
has Saturday to do with the payment OIL
my shoemaker's biIl?'
"Did you get the money from Mr. Red
wood p asked the shoemaker, as the boy
came 10. His face wore an anxious look
"No, sir. He says he will call around
and pay"
Nv hen ?"
ale didn't mention any time" replied
the boy.
odd you tell him that il was Saturday
and had my workmen and workwomeu
to pay OFF,
81 tried to, sir; but il seemed to make
him angry; and be is a good customer
Too bad too badl' calculated the shoe
maker, breaking upon the boys words
Call around and 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 dignifed by the name Of pen
and took thcrefrom Il package of bills. lie
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" he said to
his boy, land 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 workmcn to pay"
The boy was gone nearly half an hour.
Mr.. Glenn's store was in 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 10.
"Well, Andrew, what success ?" lie
tried to speak eheerfully.
"Mr. Glenn says he will call and pay.
The shoemaker's counteDance fell. He
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.
s'sDid you say that he would oblige me
particularly by settling the bill, as il was
Saturday, and | had my workmen to payp''
ayes, sir; but he turned of, saying he
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 again 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.. Wiuton?" ask
ed the shoemaker. ~
"Last week
"What did he say
THAT he would call around
"Call around It's only get-oif I'm
out Of all patience = And the perplexed
shoemaker grew excited. "They are all
eager enough to GET their work, and sharp
spoken enough If 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 Mayberrys
accoant---he had been running over the
bills as he ialked-didnt b, promise to
settle tosdayfR a N
II think be did, sir," replied the boy,
aYery well. Hurry round TO his store
and catch him before he goes TO dinner.
The boy started of with his usual alae.
ritt and Barker sat down TO work and