The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-08-25

you know. I'm certain you re an artist
all the ladies are born artists-and this is
really something quite out of the ordi-
nary"
And with a succession of mods and
grins, he unwrapped pair of really very
pretty dark blue vases, nearly two feet
high, and ornamented with raised gar
lands in white.
"Only six dollars pair, ma am," said
he, "Dirt cheap. It's positively giving
them away at that price,"
81 have no six dollars to spare" said I
indifferently.
cts great bargain, ma'am," he in
listed.
81 do not want them, said I.
He was silent for few seconds.
I'm sorry, ma'am," said he. 'They'd
be great decoration for o house like
this. But if you really won't buy, it
would be doing me great favor to al
low them to stand till tomorrow. I've q
long tramp be core me, and I'm not 60
ing to any place where think they'll be
likely to buy anything of this sort; I'll
set 'em back by the chimney piece,
ma am, where they won't be in any ones
way. And I'm very tired OF carrying
EN-"
felt sorry for the poor jaded wretch,
so made no objection. And when he
was gone the vases did make the room
look wonderfully pretty. I could not
but wish that they were mine.
Obadiah perceived them at once when
he came home to tea.
"Hellov' said he, "what does this
mean?"
So I told him adding:
Il only wish that could afford to buy
them-they are so handsome"
Obadiah walked around and around
them, with his hands in his pocket and
his brows knit thoughtfully.
Eyes, they're pretty" said he, "but
they are not perfect"
"Not perfect" I echoed.
"Not by any means. Don't you see
that length wise crack down one? And
the end of the little raised rosebud is
Clipped off on tie other. hope you
didn't do it, Josie?" with sudden glance
of apprehension.
81? Certainly not!" cried. why,
I have not so much as touched the
things"
"Then dare say it's ~, Eight, said
Obadiah.
And he sat down to supper.
The next day, however, the china ven
der came along, smiling and obsequious
as ever.
"There are your vases said I. "just
where you left them"
But all at once he broke out into Q
storm of reproach and obloquy.
They had been cracked and damaged
-.
lutely perfect-when he left them the
day before. had worked the mischief,
and was of course responsible for the
value of the article.
Of course, knew that the rascal was
telling me falsehood; but what could l
do do? was alone in the house, and
fairly cowed by the ferocity of the man.
"You must pay me for them" he reit-
Grated again and again, "or l will have
you arrested at once"
burst into tears.
"How can pay your" said !. "The
vases were damaged when you left them
here. And besides, have not five dol
lars-no, nor one dollar in the house"
(Which, alas, was true enough.)
While I spoke he had been glancing
furtively around.
II don't want to be hard with you,
ma am" said he. "Of course, a poor
man like me has got to save himself from
loss, and if you'll let me have that set Of
blue and white china in the dresser, in
exchange, I'll leave the vases, and we'll
say no more about it."
It went to my heart to part with the
India-ware, which had been relic Of my
mothers housekeeping days; but I was
SO cowed and terrified by the mans bully
ing manner that believe would have
given him the house from over my head
# he had asked for it; and he went away
leaving the beautiful vases on the floor.
How glad I was to see Mrs. Meggs
come cheerfully in half an hour after
ward IA good, motherly old soul, with
silver spectacles and an elderly dimple
still lingering on her cheek.
why, my DEAR" said she, whats
the matter?"
And l told her all.
"But. my DEAR" said she. chow came
you to be 90 taken in? There was an ar
ticle in the paper last week, warning
everybody against this very imposter.
Didn't you see it? It was called the
Vase Swindler.'
colored deeply, and hung my head.
1--WE have stopped taking the paper,
said I. obadiah thought we couldnt
afford
"And your beautiful old china. too. y