The Press., 1883-05-03
WHO BREAKS PAYS.

2 s'It must be music-box that plays at least seven tunes,'' said Mrs. Wrangley, sand one of them must be Annie Laurie, and I can't possibly afford to give more than seventy dollars
 "I'll speak to MT. Malcolm, the proprie- tor" said Miss Bison, the girl behind the counter, little bewildered by the loud voice and overwhelming presence of the stout lady in the sealskin dolman and flashing diamond ear-drops who stood op- posite her.
 ''But I'm in hurry said Mrs. Wrang- ley, imperiously. "Can't you show me some music-boxes It seems to me that you must all be very stupid here"
 s'I'n speak to Mr. Malcom, ma am, said Ella Bison, who was as accustomed, mute ly, to receive and endure insolence as is the "Arnt Sally" of lawn-games to be buffeted and maltreated.
 And Mr. Malcolm came, all smiles, to minister to the whims of the rich customer whose carriage flashed back the sunshine at the door,
 sMa, ain't she pretty ?" whispered Miss of fourteen, leaning her elbows on the showcase. ssI say, ma, won't you buy me new set of battledore and shuttlecock Won't you, ma? Whats this A canary 1? didn't know they kept birds here. s'It is an automaton," smiled MT. Nal colm, who had just reached down an ebony music-box, inlaid with glistening mother of-pearl ornament. "Miss Bison, wind up that bird. Let Miss Wrangley hear. Yes, ma'am, " to the elderly lady, ''this instru- ment has Annie. Laurie in it's repertoire, also. D --s-.-..s - Miss Ella Bison wound up the artificial songster, set it where Miss Amandina could feast her ears and eyes on it's beauty, and then turned to show backgammon boards to 8 new customer.
 In second-or at least so it would seem-there was 8 crash The bird-cage was overturned, the brilliant -plumed songster crushed, and the solid sheet of glass that formed the top of the showcase splintered into score of broken fragments. MT. Malcolm's very hair bristled with surprise and indignation as he turned to view the general ruin.
 ssMiss Bison p he exclaimed wrathfully, Chow did this happen ?"
 ''I am sure, sir, do not know" said poor Ella, who was as much frightened as if the ceiling had fallen. 'I was showing this gentleman backgammon board"
 "Do not attempt to cover your faults by falsehood," sternly spoke the proprietor. ''It could. only have been your careless ness p
 While Miss Amandina Wrangley, the actual culprit, stood staring at the over throw and lacked the moral courage to con- fess her own guilt.
 ''Ma would be so cross if she had to pay for the artificial bird, f" said Mrs. Amandina to herself 'And maybe she wouldn't buy me the music-box, and, anyhow, dare say the shop-girl won't mind little scold ing"
 E'If you did not do it, Miss Bison, /" said MT. Malcolm, majestically, "who did ?"
 q don't know, sir, , Ella answered, witt varying color, "but it was not l."
 "Don't contradict me, said the proprie tor.
 q must speak the truth" said Ella pleadingly s'You asked me, and"
 ''That will do" said Mr. Malcolm, way ing his hand. 'sI am not accustomed tt bandy words with my employees. Go tt Miss Mason. She will settle with you tI date. I shall not require your services an, longer.'
 Miss Bison turned and obeyed, although blur seemed to come before her eyes, ant a deadly weight oppressed the beating 0 her heart.
 'Very proper" said Mrs. Wrangley, ap provingly. '"The young woman need discipline. She seems both obstinate an' stupid"
 While Amandina, clinging close to he mothers side, still maintained resolut silence.
 The late afternoon sunshine was jus falling out of the little room under the roo of ruinous old building near the docks where Mrs. Bison sat at work, all surround ed with roses.
 Literally not fgrratively-for Mrs. E] son worked for dealer in artificial flowers and was making jacqueminot roses for large order from 8 Bowery milliner.
 She was pale little woman, who spen ago lost the use of her limbs-and on tn old, playing with the damaged bits of re silk discarded by her mothers quick fiji gers.
 She looked up with an exclamation g the door opened.
 Mamma" she cried, s'its Ella.
 "Ella!' exclaimed Mrs. Elson. "Homt at this time of day My dearest, what hs happened ?"
 ''I am discharged, mamma p said Ells endeavoring to speak firmly. "I have los my situation p
 And then finging herself on the floor { her mothers side she buried her face the poor cripple's lap and burst out cryine
 While all this was transpiring somethin more singular still had taken place at tl store where the automaton bird had sun his last cantata and the music-box tn, played 'Annie Laurie" was being careful packed up. Mrs. Wrangley was just tur1 ing to the door when stout gentleman who had been sitting on red velvet stoc near the entrance, rose up-a ponderol individual, with fur Things to his coat co lar and red silk pocket handkerchief tie around his neck.
 "Aha!' said the stout man, with no
 "Why, it's Uncle Bob P said Amandin
 "Oh, my brother P said Mrs. Wran ley. 'sWhy, Robert, when did you con in?"
 "I've been here this some time," sa MT. Robert Rudford I've been waiti1 for you to get through and recognize m Upon my word, sister Serena, you're capital hand at driving bargain. couldn't have bought that music-box better advantage myself. Why, the sho man didn't have the shadow of chance.
 Mrs. Wrangley bit her lip, but sl smiled. Uncle Rudford was person too much importance not to be allowed have his own way, even in the matter