Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-23

there's nothing for INC My good man, too
forsoothl ] must try Mr.. Colo"
Ho entered Mr. Coles shop. Mr.. Cole was
not in, but appeared in few minutes. Mr.
Hicks went through his formula. Mr.. Cole
Immediately replied
Not to-day, Hooker Il Smoker. I'm sup
plied.'
Supplied :" almost shrieked Mr.. Hicks.
Yes, supplied" said Mr.. Hicks, but not a
syllable more.
Mr. Hicks was now fairly reused. Sudden
ly the recollection Of his tale in the CONNER
cial room ON the preceding evening flashed
upon him. Could some of the young fellows
have been playing him a trick similar to the
one he had played 80 many years before on
young Brownsmith? Sitting his anger and
modification as best he could, he strobe on
to the store OF his last customer, Mr.. Iron
stone
Nothing Today, Hooker a. Smoker" said
Mr.. Ironstone, before Mr. Hicks could put the
question.
'Mr. Ironstono, said the astonished Hicks,
in an almost pathetic tone Of appeal will
you tell me il any one has been before me
and secured the business which heretofore
you have done through the firm of Hooker d
Snooker2'
Hooker d Smoker still do our business"
said Mr.. Ironstone
Wthi but ItDItbbul lutul, hhlu MI.
Hicks.
Come, come" said MIR. Ironstone sooth-
ingly, as If speaking to child, don't take
up my time, there's good fellow. I've told
you that have no orders, so 90 away quiet
ly, or shall be compelled to call your keep
er"
My what! My keeper" roared Mr. Hicks
What do you mean, sirY You surely don't
think I'm a lunaticy
81 don't think it I'm sure Of it-I know
it, replied Mr.. Ironstone, and, coming round
the counter, be gently took Mr.. Hicks by the
arm, led him outside the door, and closed it
upon him.
Mr.. Hicks stood like one dazed for some
seconds. The buildings seemed to reel about
him, and he felt that with little more he
would actually be out Of his miud. Finally
he strobe back to the inn, resolved to make
terrible example of the potters when evening
came.
He was very moody and silent at dinner,
and the young fellows saw that something had
gone wrong with him, as he scowled terribly
over his food aud only answered with fierce
grunts the questions put to him. Afterward,
when, according to custom, the chairs were
drawn around the fire and the best part of the
day begun, Mr. Hicks rose majestically, and,
assuming his usual position in front of the
fire, pTefaced his thuuders with very loud
"Ahem :"
Gentlemen, it is with regret, strongly mix
ed with disgust, that | am forced to address
you upon a certain subject-a subject as dis
agreeable to me rs it must be humiliating to
such Of you As are concerned. To be brief
some of you, taking a mean advantage of my
attempt to amuse you last evening ave been
playing me an under'and trick"
The gentlemen thus addressed took their
pipes from their mouths and stared at him in
amazement.
He continues
The day for that sort of thing has gone
by, and it i'll becomes members Of an honored
profession to indulge in tricks that a school
boy would be ashamed Of To be plain with
you, gentlemen, 1 have been passed of in
town as lunatic, and consequently have found
the doors Of my best customers shut against
me-
In spite of the serious manner in which Mr..
Hicks spoke, there WAS very perceptible
smile on the young mems faces, which he was
not slow TO observe.
II see nothing to laugh at in it, gentlemen"
he continued, with difficulty suppressng his
rising wrath indeed, there are some who
will probably have very good reasons for re-
| grettin' it when tell you, that, unless find
out which Of you is the offender shall write
to your respective governors with view to
having the matter thoroughly gone into"
One and all declared that they were utterly
| ignorant of the matter, and with such ener
| getic protestations against the iniquty of the
trick, that Mr.. Hicks was forced to believe
| them.
Perhaps the little old gentleman who was
writing at the side.table last evening knows
something about it," suggested one of the
| accused.
Mr. Hicks rang the bell for the waiter.
Waiter" said he, "s the gentleman who
came in here from the cof5e-room last night
in the 'ouse =
Mr.. Brownsmth, sir: Oh, no, sir: be
went away this mornin aud he gave me this
note to give you-but not before eveniu', re
! piled the waiter.
"Mr. Brownsmth that his name z" ask
| ed Hicks family.
"Yes, sir. He owns 'alf the town, sir, and
was here looking after his property"
! Mr. Hicks opened the note, and read as fol
| lows:
Ny BsHr sir: You were good enough, some forty
years ago, play a trick which might have ruined
any other man for life or at least have retarded his
progress very seriously. am not very viudctiye, but
never forgave you for It, more especially as have
had no opportunity Of repaying you. We are at last
quits. You beyond the reach Of actual harm now,
presume you have featherCd your nest pretty
foItably IN forty years but man is too old
to learn lesson, hope that by the return trick
have played you this morning gOu have learned
| am, Sir your 0bedient servant,
SAMUEL BROwNsMITH.
-CHdm5ers's JourHdL