Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-03-07
FROSTBURG, MD, MARCH Z, 1885

Iou Cail eApeCt W SeI any ou1h
price for it here, where people know
the value Of things. But since you
are a relation, | don't think Fanting
would mind giving you twenty-five"
81 cannot sacrifice it for any such
sum as that" said Mrs. Jewett, de-
cidedly.
''In that case you may keep it,"
said Mrs. Fanting, rising to her feet
and waving the fan more energetically
than ever. "There are plenty of old
clocks to be had at Byington's for
reasonable prices. And | hope you
may never live to repent your obstin-
acy."
She rustled out of the room with
out further ceremony, leaving Mrs.
Jewett and Bessy looking at each
other.
81 am so sorry" said Mrs. Jewett.
"Mother, why should you be sorry"
cried Bessy. "For my part am glad
that Mrs. Fanting has received a
check. But isn't 1t strange, mother.
Byington's is the very place where
Doctor Sibley advised us to send the
old clock to be sold. We will speak
to the sxpressman tomorrow. For
we must have money, mother, dear,
and | would rather starve than ask
help from Mrs. Fanting."
Mr.. Fred Byington himself, the
son of the spectacled old connoisseur
in antiques, came up to look at the
clock, and pronounced it a genuine
curiosity in its way.
You ought to get hundred dol
lars for it, said he; shut | don't
know whether you will. Times are
dull just now, but | will do the best
can for you, Miss Jewett."
at seems almost like selling one
Of the family said Bessy, with tears
in her eyes. 81 can remember this
clock ever since | was a baby"
Fred Byington's handsome face
grew intensely sympathetic. 1T
does seem cruel, doesn't it," said he.
"And am so sorry that it should be
necessary to part with it. But | will
send over our wagon for it this after
noon, and you may depend on your
pet receiving the most careful treat
ment."
"How kind he was" said Bessy,
gratefully, after Mr.. Byington was
gone. 81 did not know that it was
usual for dealers to send their own
wagons after these things"
While old Mr.. Byington shook his
head at his son.
Erred! Fred!" said he. "Take
care that you do not get to much in
terested in your customers."
But Fred only smiled.
The old clock had scarcely oc-
cupied the post of honor in Byington
& Co.'S immense warerooms for three
davs when Mr.. Fred Bylngton sent a
note up to Bessy:
"MY DEAR MISS JEwETT Il have an
offer of hundred dollars for the old
clock. What shall dos F. b.
And Bessy wrote back:
"MY DEAR Mr.. BYINGToN. it.
BEssY JEWETT."
And then Bessy cried a little over
her sewing. She could not help it.
Fred Byington came up that even
ing with a check for hundred dol
lars, having the firm signature of
'Byington & Co."
81 have sold the clock" said he.
81 am very glad" said Bessy, who
had decided that it was best to put
away all vain repinings. "It was
very kind Of you to take so much
pains about it. Who did you sell it
to-"
"To Mrs. Ebenezer Fanting," said
Fred. 81 believe if | had asked a
hundred and fifty for it she would
scarcely have hesitated. She said it
was the finest specimen Of the antique
she had ever beheld. | sent it home
this afternoon. She is to have a
grand party tonight and was kind
enough to honor me with an invita-
tion."
"Are you going::' Bessy mvolun-
tarily asked.
"Not yen will allow me to spend
an hour with you," said Fred a little
timidly.
Mrs. Fanting came the next day.
"Well," said she, 81 have bought a
| heantv of an old clock for hand