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

II
Sharpings superb parlors.
I'm sure, ! don't see why we MAJ
not make as good an appearance as Sharp
ing." she murmured, after she and he1
husband had become seated.
81 can hardly afford it, now, Sarah,
returned Arthur.
"But why not, as well as William
Sharping:"
because Sharping has more money
He makes more money than | do"
81 can't see how he can do that. II,
must have one secret in trade that you dc
not possess. D, l wish that we coult
keep up with them. People will see thai
Sharping is more prosperous, and they
will think lin more of business mar
than you are; and if he once takes the
lead in trade, he will not only be sure tc
keep it but also to gain on his compe;i.
tor. You know how people like to trade
at fourishing places"
Arthur Leeman began to think there
was some force in his wifes argument
He, too, began to lose sight Of the sweet
Content he had been for two years en-
joying, and in the stead thereof, he was
looking for what the world calls PLENTY"
He might at first have argued more
with his wife, but he remembered it was
her money that had helped materially to
set him up in business, and he feared to
touch cord that might vibrate upon that
point. He did not fully know the real
character OF his wife-he did not know
how holy and pure was the soil in her
soul that had thus given life to few
noxious weeds. Had he fully known
that her present envy was but an exotic,
just sprung into life by thoughtless trans
planting, he might have sought more
earnestly to pluck it out; but he gave
heed TO her words, and his own soul be-
came the abode Of discomfort.
Before Arthur Leeman retired that
night he told his wife that he would eS-
ert himself to ou,strip his neighbor.
A few evenings after that, as Arthur
was returning home from his business,
he had occasion to pass his neighbors S
store, and as he saw a light cleaning
through the chinks in the shutters, he
thought he would enter. Sharping was
there alone, and he had just closed his
ledger
Ala, Leeman. how are you: Hows
business cried Sharping, with the air
Of man who is we'll pleased with him
self.
30, so SO, returned Arthur, reaching
over the counter to shake hands.
1--WE done capitally to day resumed
Sharping. "A profit of eight dollars
and thirty-three cents
mot clear net profit said Arthur,
opening his eyes.
"Yes-clear profit. Ha, ha, j."
and as the young merchant thus laughed
to himself, he leaped over the counter and
rubbed his hands exultingly.
but | can't see how you do it, ut
tered Arthur, in tone Of nervous visit
fulness.
ala, ha, ha, What fools there are
in this world, Leeman. Just look here,
ratified the successful merchant, as he
leaped over his counter and pulled piece
Of goods from one of the shelves.
"There-what do you call that"
Leeman carefully examined the arti-
Gle with the air Of one who understands
his business.
"I,'s made to look like the finest Of
silk" he said, "but the great body of the
cloth is cotton. never saw anything
like it before" he continued, as he drew
out thread and ran it between the nails
Of his thumb and fore6nger, thereby strip
ping off the Aossy silken covering from a
stout thread of cotton.
mo; it's new thing; got it in
New York. Sold piece this afternoon
fifteen yards-for nine shillings yard.
Ha. ha, ha!'
mine shillingsl" !" repeated Arthur. in
renewed surprise. "Why, the stuff is
not worth seventy. FIVE cents"
BLESS your body. l only paid forty
two cents for it. Got it at auction. It's
a new thing. Only think-oF from ff-
teen yards | made profit of sixteen dol
lars and twenty cents.
.But the one to whom you sold it
must have thought it all silk"
"Of course she did. You don't think
she'd have paid that price if she had not.
But mind, tell you this in confidence.
You are one of the trade, you know, and
Of course up to such things.
Arthur Leeman was not "up to such
things" but then he had not manly in
dependence to say so. A new idea was
working its way darkly through his mind.
"You didn't of course, tell her it was
really silk-pure silk he said, half
carelessly."
30, no." said Sharping, with know
ing nod. "Let me alone for that. She
wanted something rich for dress-l
took down that-'There, said I, look al
that-just what you want-splendid arti-
cle-just examine it for YOURSELF 'Wha,
do you ask = said she. Two dollars,
said l. Too high she said. But, my
dear madam, look at it must make
myself whole She begged, and
groaned about the ruinous plan of selling
below cost. But at last she hit upor
nine shillings. 'Ruinous,' said L; 'but
if you won't mention it-if you'll prom
ise not to tell of it, why-seeing it's yor
you may take it, She promised, ant
took it. Ha, ha, ha!"
"Sixteen dollars and twenty cents !!