The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-09-06

A whisper was suddenly circulated that
Jeronimo had not acquired his wealth
by honest means. 1t was reported, and
gradually universally believed, that he
was an utterer, II not coiner, of base
money. He had the reputation, as has
before been said, of being the most able
workman In Padua, In gold, silver and
lace "and surely" said the gosslps OF
Padua, he does not wear,hls talent In
napkin. He employs his dexterlty to
some purpose"
'' Are you not speaking too fast 2"
said another neighbor; "I have always
held Jeronlmo to be an honest man."
"And so have hitherto,' said the
other, =" till assayed it; this ducat /
received from Jeronlmo let us prove 1t
at your assay, and you will allow that l
did not speak without some good foun-
dation." The proposal was accepted,
the trial was made, and the ducat found
to be base In the proportion of e-third
copper, to two thirds silver.
The name of this neighbor of Jeroni-
mo, who had defended him, was Guisep-
pc Cognigero, very worthy and honest
man not one of those who fonnd tri-
umph in the downfall of another though
above him in wealth and honor. Gui-
seppe, as he said, had always held Jero-
nimo to be respectable and worthy
citizen. He had many dealings with
him, and had always found him just
and punctual to the lowest coin; SIS it
possible" said he to himself, "that after
such course of honesty and reputation,
he has so far forgotten himself as to be-
come a common cheat? l will not be-
lieve it.. But this fact of the base ducat
Well; but my friend might not have
received the ducat from Jeronimo.
am resolved will make trial of him
myself, before L will give in to the belief
of these reports in the teeth of so fair a
character for so many years" Giuseppe
was shrewd man, and never fixed on
purpose but when he had the ingenuity
to find the means of executing it. He
went Immediately to his home, and
taking hundred ducats from his private
store, went with them to the house of
Jeronimo.
"Signor Jeronimo," said he, there
are a hundred ducats which l wish to
keep for certain purpose. l have just
embarked in speculation of great eX-
tent the result of which no one can for
see. j wish to keep this sum as depos-
it, in the event of the failure of my
hopes, if you will do me the favor to
take the custody of it,.
Jeronimo, pleased at confidence to
which he was now not much accustom-
ed, very willingly accepted the charge,
and Giuseppe took his leave in the full
persuasion that the trial would cor
respond with his expectations and that
the report would be proved false and
malicious.
In the course of few days Giuseppe,
according to the plan concerted in his
own mind, called suddenly on Jeron-
imo.
my dear friend, said he, 81 sincere
ly rejoice'that have found you at home;
sudden demand has fallen upon me,
and have an unexpected occasion for
the hundred ducats which 1 deposited
with you"
MY good friend," said Jerohimo,
"do not preface such trifle with such
a serious apology. The money is yours"
At the same time opening a private
drawer-"You see here it is, Just as
deposited it. Take your money my
friend, and you may always have the
same or any other service from me. -
Saying this he gave Giuseppe the bag
in which he brought the ducats to him.
Giuseppe hastened home, counted and
examined the ducats. The number was
right, their appearance seemed good he
sounded them singly. One sounded
suspiclously ; he assayed tit was base.
Well, " said he, "this may be an acci-
dent; could almost swear, indeed, that
every ducat l gave him was good; but
is,perhaps, might have overlooked -
He sounded another, his suspicious in
creased another-he now determined to
assay them all. He did so; and to his
confusion (for the honest man was truly
grieved and confounded at the detection
OF his neighbours dishonesty he found
thirty bad ducats out of the hundred.
He now hastened back to Jeronimo.
=" These are not the ducats, sir, L depos-
tied with you here are thirty bad ducats
out of the hundred" Bad or good, y
replied Jeronimo Indignantly, "they are