Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-10-21
THE THREE GREENS.

THE THREE GREENS.
Some Of Whom were not so Green.
Shortly after the Crimean war, an individ-
ual whose right arm was encased in splints
and hung in sling, entered a magnificent
jewelry shop the proprietor Of which was a
Mr.. James Green. The stranger had in his
appearance that which is generally styled dis
6ngue; his carriage and garb revealed the
military veteran, and his manners the finished
gentleman. At the door halted an elegant
cabriolet, and the good taste Of its owner was
shown by the plain but neat livery of the
groom and the choice trappings of the hand
some blooded horse.
The stranger stated that be was desirous of
procuring complete silver table service, rich,
solid and elegant, with but little ornamental
tion. Could Mr.. Green prepare such an one?
The goldsmith answered, OF course, in the
affirmative, and showed several patterns to his
visitor, who then described very minutely the
style in which he wished the articles to be
made and asked at what time they could be
got ready. At the same time he insisted on
punctuality, saying he must use the set at
reception he would soon give at his new resi-
dence in Leicester square. Mr.. Green prom
ised to have il done IN three weeks, and then
the two parties discussed the terms.
The jeweler very carefully made his calcu-
lations, and demanded 81, 200 The stranger
reflected few moments. and then said he had
determined upon getting q service at cost of
c1 500, and requested Mr.. Green TO add as
many more pieces to the set as would fix the
price at that sum. Mr.. Green thanked the
gentleman for this mark of confidence, and
inquired of him to whose recommendation he
owed his patronage.
''No one has recommended you to me, d" re-
piled the stranger.
The jeweler looked up in surprise.
The stranger, who had hitherto worn an air
of dignity almost amounting TO austerity, now
became more friendly, and continued;
Il am a soldier. have served for years in
India, and more recently in the Crimea. At
Balaklava l received q severe wound in my
right arm and hand, which will perhaps dis
able the member for life. My patronage you
owe to your parents, grandparents, and in
fact, to the whole line Of your ancestors"
The jeweler was amazed and bewildered
His parents and other ancestors had long been
dead, and could not have referred the strang-
er TO him. The latter apparently enjoyed
Mr. Green's perplexity, and smilingly contin-
ued
81 will make myself clearer. When, in
consequence of this unfortunate wound
here sudden twinge in his arm made him
start painfuly-'I was compelled to leave
the service, l resolved TO settle in London.
While riding out the other day, was attract
ed by the appearance of your splendidly fur
nished shop, but more SO by the name on
your sign, for mine is precisely the same. To
this simple fact you owe the present visit of
Col. James Green of the Grenadier Guards. a"
The jeweler expressed his delight at the
honor of being the namesake of SO distin-
guished warrior, and after few more phras-
es Of this sort of conversation, reverted to
the business in hand.
MAY now inform you" said the jeweler,
with some hesitation, "of the conditions that
must generally be complied with previous to
making a sale p
NO" said the colonel sharply. 81 have
my own way of doing business. You and
do not know each other, and, although my
order is not an uncommonly large one, yet It
amounts to a sum with which you cannot
credit a stranger. 1 will therefore pay you
E1OO cash down for a surety, the remaining
e14OO when 1 call for the service"
Mr.. Green accepted the offer with profuse
thanks.
"You need not thank me-" the officer in
terrupted. As remarked, have a way of
my own, from which l never like to deviate.
Now, do me the favor TO take my portemon-
naie from my coat pocket; my unfortunate
Balaklava wound"-the colonel again WINGED
with pain-"has lamed my right hand and
arm completely"
Mr. Green expressed his sympathy in the
warmest terms, carefully drew the portemon-
naie from the veterans coat pocket, opened it
at the latter's desire, and from four or five
new notes took one, which the colonel desired
him to keep. Mr.. Green wrote of a receipt
and placed it in the old pocketbook, which he
then very carefully restored to its resting
place He then assisted the colonel to enter
the carriage, and the groom-Col Green
could not drive on account of his injured arm
rapidly drove off in the direction of Lei
cester square. The jeweller, though much
overjoyed, was cautious business man, and,
Notwithstanding the considerable deposit, pro-
ceeded to make his safety certain.
In the war list he readily found the name
and rank of his customer, just as it had been
given him and from the real estate agent
who rented out the splendid mansion in Lei
cester square, he ascertained that it had re-
Gently been taken by Col. James Green of the
Guards, and that the latter had brought most
excellent recommendations from his banker
and sundry other distinguished personages.
In the course of the three weeks at the end
of which the set was to be done, the colonel
often came into the shop to see how the work
was progressing, and always chatted so affably
with the goldsmith that the latter could not
find sufficient words of praise for his genial
customer when speaking to others about him.
At last the service was completed. 1t was
placed upon a large table in the counting
room, and covered with a blue velvet cloth.
Punctually at the stipulated time in the after
noon, Col. Green entered the shop, his elegant
cabriolet and blooded horse remaining before
the door in the care of the groom,
The officer stepped into the counting room,
and Mr. Green, swelling with pride, removed
the velvet cloth from the service. The colo
mel, though usually a quiet man, declared
it surpassed his most sanguipe expectations
and insisted on paying the entire el 800, and
also upon the jeweler retaining the deposit Of
el00 as a douoeur for the satisfaction he had
given.
"You owe me no thanks, my dear Mr.
Green" warmly said the colonel to the de-
lighted goldsmith. "Give me your baud, and
again receive my heartfelt acknowledgment
for this superb masterpiece"
The jewelers. beaming oountenanoe on
grasping his namesake's hand can better be
imagined than described.
"Now to business" said the colonel. ''Be
so kind as to take out my pocketbook and
count off your 915OO, for do not wish to
tarry moment before showing my wife your
chef a. GUOre."
The jeweler hastened to comply. He took
from the officers coat pocket card-case, a
set of ivory tablets, and a silk purse, through
whose meshes glittered some five or six SOW
eregns-but no pooket-book Upon the col
onel's request, he then examined all the pock-
cts, The search was futile.
"Strange Inoomprehensible Gould l
have lost il or been robbed ?" mutteTed the
colonel, audibly, perplexed and provoked.
''What o'clock is it 2" he suddenly asked.
Twenty minutes TO hve."
Good; there is time enough yet. You
must make yourself serviceable to me once