Smyrna times., 1882-03-15


Mr.. Gilbert of his clerk, who had Just
come in.
The young man shook his head.
" Didn't pay it?'
No, sir"
What answer did he give?"
" lie was angry, and said that he wished
you wouldn't send after the bill any more
that when he was ready he would bring
you the money, and not before"
" He said that, did hep" Mr. Gilbert
spoke with considerable excitement of
manner
Yes, sir. have never called on him
that he didn't get out of patience, and say
something unpleasant"
Very well, replied Mr.. Gilbert. in a
menacing tome "give me the bill. I'll
collect it"
And, taking his hat, he left the store
Within two or three blocks was the office
OF magistrate, and thither his steps were
turned
Thank fortune! there's short way to
deal with men in these cases. Thus Mr.
Gilbert talked to himself, as he moved
rapidly along. mot send my bill, indeed
Why doesn't he come and pay it, if he i.
SO nice in these matters? He doesn't
mean to pay; that's the true reason. But
he is dealing with the wrong man, and he
will find this out before he is twenty-foln
hours older. He can bluff off clerk
but will find a sheriff different sort of 8
customer"
Such was the state of Mr.. Gilbert's mind
as he hurried on his way to the magistrate.
office.
HOrner, the offender in this case, was 8
poor tailor, who had become indebted tC
Gilbert for groceries. The amount of hi
bill was sixty-six dollars; very large sun
for him, and far exceeded what he sup
posed it would be. Sickness, and the los
ct child, had, some months previously
lessened his income, and also burdeneC
him with unusual expenses. But for this
he would not have become indebted
Honest and sensitive, the debt worried
him. Instead, however, of going to Nl
Gilbert, and asking him to let the obliga
tion stand for a short time until he cOul,
pay it off gradually, he kept away iron
him, and fretted himself with thinkin
over the unpleasant relation he bore t
the grocer. As was to have been expeC
ted, the bill came in. The clerk by who's
hands it was sent, made his demand in
style that Horner thought rude, if not in
sulting. This was more in imaginatio
than in reality.
can't pay this now,' was the tailor
brief answer. He spoke with trouble
voice and countenance. The clerk inte
preted his manner by the word LANCER.
when will you settle it ?" he inquired
with something peremptory in his tone.
~ can't tell" said Horner, in a shor
quick tone of voice.
The clerk bowed and went away. II
report did not please the grocer, who in
few days, sent again for the money Th
second demand came upon Horner viii
he was thinking of the bill, and hopelessl
casting about in his mind for some NEAR
of paying it. Not possessing a great de-
. of self-control, he unwisely uttered an e,
. preston of impatience the moment he sa
the clerk of Gilbert.
= "Well, sir; what about the bill ?" sa
the clerk.
"It's no use to keep calling on me-" r
piled Horner. AS soon as l have IL
money will see Mr.. Gilbert"
A third time the clerk called. Po
: Horner was in very UNHAPPY state of min
d He had been thinking of little else besid
the grOcer's bill all the morning; while
his mind was a nervous presentiment tn
s. he should have a visit that day from Il
collector, He was not in error. Even
the thought troubled him, open swung h
} door, and the messenger of Gilbert entere
''Ses here, young man" exclaim,
Horner, before the other had time
speak "just tell Gilbert not to send tn
;, bill here again. 1t won't bring the mon
: an hour sooner. When am ready, W
pay it, and not before"
The clerk turned off and left the sh
r. without word ofreply.
"That wasn't right, John," said t
: tailor's wife, in tone of gentle repro
e after the lapse of FIVE minutes. She wis