Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-04-26
PARIS NAME TUESDAY, APRIL 26. 1881.

thinking Of what he learned the night be-
fore, and he was trying hard to silence
the "still small voice" that was whisper.
ing to his soul.
"It's only business after ALL" he sale
to himself. II may as well get living
as Other folks"
1t was with these words upon his lip
that he entered his store.
His clerk was there. and the place wa,
clean and neat. He had been in thu
store half an hour, and at the end Of tha
time his clerk asked him if he was un.
well.
"Unwell! What put that into YOU
head, Henry"
"O-I thought you looked flushed
fcverish. l didn't know but that you
might have caught cold"
mo, no; am we'll"
Arthur Leepan turned away, and won.
dered if he had been showing all his feel
ings. Somehow the store did not seem SC
cheerful to him as usual. The neatly ar.
ranged shelves and boxes, and the choice
goods did not look so inviting as was
their wont.
During the first part Of the day, he
sold some common articles. such US cal
icoes, lawns, threads, etc, but it did not
occur to him that even here he might
have overreached simple customer. He
did not think Of getting twelve and half
cents for some Of his six-penny prints.
Sharping did it but Leeman was not yet
initiated.
AT length an opportunity was afforded
for Arthur to try his newly discovered
plan OF business.
Towards night a middle e-aged gentle
man entered the store and expressed a
wish to purchase some cloth for pair Of
pants. lie was stranger, having but a
few days before moved into the village.
Il should like piece that is good
all vool-,hick and tirm," he said, as
Arther led the way to the cloth counter.
The gentleman looked over the goods,
and at length his eye hit upon piece Of
dark. mixed doeskin. 1t felt firm and
thick, and was in truth handsome piece.
"How is that - asked Arthur.
II think it will suit me. II seems to
be firm and good. Not quite so soft as
clear wool generally is"
at is an excellent cloth-a few days
wear will soften it" said the young mer.
chant, trying to appear candid.
"What is it yard :"
Now that cloth cost Arthur Just thir-
ty-seven and half cents per yard, and
he had intended to sell it for forty-two,
and had placed his private mark upon it
accordingly. 1t was just half cotton.
Zone dollar" said he.
And the words as he spoke them,
struck startlingly upon his own ear.
"You may cut me off three yards,
said the man and Arthur hid his face as
he did the work. After the cloth was
done up, the gentleman paid for it
three dollars-it was nearly two dollars
more than it costa clear profit Of almost
two hundred per cent.
Arthur Leeman had always made it a
practice to be sociable with those with
whom he traded.
II was five-dollar bill the gentleman
rendered in payment and as he passed it
over he remarked:
IL suppose that is the lowest you will
take:"
1T is the loves. ought to take
said Arthur, trying to hide his tremu-
lousness, for he had done something he
knew to be wrong.
"Very well" said the stranger 81
always wish to pay fair living price to
every one with whom l deal, always
trusting" he added with smile, THAT
shall be treated honestly in return
He took his change and left the store.
Arthur took down his blotter and
thought to enter the sale he had just
made; but he hesitated. Those pages
were all fair and honest. He dared not
place there the record of the first dishon-
est &C, he had ever done o, how he
wished that his customer had not come I;
how he wished he could recall the thing
he had done. But it was too late. He
had tried the exneriment
"Why-what's the matter, Arthur =
asked Mrs. Leeman, as her husband
drew back from the supper table that
evening; "you look unhappy"
And am unhappy, Sarah,' family
replied Arthur; for he had determined
to tell his wife of his bitter experience.
What is it" anxiously uttered the
half-frightened wife. moving to her hus.
bands side, and placing her arm about
his neck.
"Sit down, sit down, Sarah, and will
tell you"
The woman sat down, but still kept
her arm about her husbands neck.
Sarah" he said, with. a painful ef.
fort, IL have done that today which
never did before in my life. have been
dishonest! have lied and cheated y.
Lied! You-my husband-cheated
o, no, no, no, Arthur"
"Yes-a man came into my store-hs
was a stranger-a new conner In town
He trusted to my honesty, and 1-liet
to him, and cheated him. o, Sarah,
wish had not done it"
"But you did not do it--you coul'
not"
"Listen to me, my wife. thought
would try to make money as fast a
William Sharpinz does. Last evening