The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-12-19
Under False Pretences.

IA SOmelnlDS CudC uuu1 OuG VI lOuliy
TeI.er's coat pocket: whats this2 Been
sribbipg something out ofthe store, eh?
Wei, ! did suppose, Thomas, that you
we're honest"
Tommy Teller turned very red. He
Lad stopped a moment on his way from
sae cash desk to settle a trihing dl Ser-
snre of opinion with Larry O'Brien,
another cash boy, and in the conflict had
5ossosten all else.
al am honest, SIR" said he. '.Ididn't
crib anything out of the store"
"Then," said Mr.. Ausdale, "what is
ShSs'
It was piece of lemon colored silk,
aseA y embroidered in rainbow tissue
sf colors. to Initiate an Oriental scene
q well, shadowed by pa m trees; the fig
we of one or two pi grims; group of
samels in the background.
ATS Sis's work." mumbled Tommy.
al hid away in my pocket just to chaf
h1. Sis is awful easy chaffed. Imeant
teleave it on her doorknob this morning,
but forgot.
.'Your sisters work?' said Mr. Aus
dale. ''Crude-very crude-but not
bad. It's just what Mrs. Ausdae wants for
. sofa cushion. Wouldn't mind giving
IS for it if your sister cares to sell it,"
"She'd like to sell it, I know" said
Tommy. "But the fancy stores they're
overcrowded with that sort of thing. and
Bis was just doing it for screen for her
zelf."
..Five dollars, then, said Mr.. Ausdale.
"'Take it or leave it, as you choose. I've
No time to stand hagglirg here"
And Tommy, VINO had been brought up
With very fair idea. of the value of
money, and very little respect for art,
ssosed with the bargain at once.
Tommy carried the S. bill home at
night when he left the store.
HAs mother worked in a drcssmaking
establishment on .ighthavenue. Cathie,
the youngest sister, was ''hand" in q
great corset factory; Cecily, the elder,
temporarily out of work, as trimmer of
Aennets, now officiated as housekeeper.
81 like to have Sis homc," observed
asge Tommy, because sne always saves
Ne bit of gingerbread or spoonful of
Jelly for my supper. Cathie's got tad
shat sweets amt good for boys"
If it had not been for the little seal
hoped sugar.cake, poor Tommy's supper
Of dry bread and cheese would have been
Aavorless enough. He swallowed it,
IKE greedy puppy, in three gulps.
''lt's jolly good said he.
ssTommy," said Cccily, shave you
aeen nay embroidery2 1 believe you've
hidden it, you little wretch"
Tommy drew out the folded green
back and laid it on the table.
''Ihat's for you," said he.
'.Five dollars, Tommy? For me2"
t.Pye sold your piece of yellow fun.
nery," said Tommy, scraping his cheese
with knife, and laying it butter-wise
an the bread.
''Tommy, then you carried it away,
sod I've looked all day for it,"
''l didn't mean too-really, Sis" said
Tommy. his mouth distended by bread
and grated cheese. 81 just put it in my
pocket for lark last night, when you
were talking to Fannie Walker, and
clean forgot to take it out again. And
Old Ausdale saw it, and said his wife
santed a silk cushion, and he'd give five
Roliars for it, so sold it,"
Cecily's eyes sparkled.
'sFive dollars!" said she. 'I am
ahankful for the money, though didn't
sxpect it would be q marketable article.
Everybody is trying their hand at art
anbgoidery now."
"I shan't ask more than ten per cent.
eommisSion on the sale," observed Tom
my, with grin.
'.And BESIDES" added Cicely, paying
Nd attention to this Interpolation. Ma
dame Laselle hasn't paid mother for q
menth, and they've lowered the wages at
cathie's place fifteen per cent. Oh, it's
10 hard to livew
"Wait till I'm grown up and then
see," boosted Tommy. "nm up to lots
- old Ausdale's dodges, and mean to
he merchant and make all our fortunes.
Ssc ii dont!"
Ceciiy sighed. The time had been
when she, too, had had her aspirations
snd dreams. A mere living was all that
Ihc hoped for now. Yet she was barely
aSo-and-twenty-poor girl!
She and Miss Eudora Ausdale, the
wealthy merchants lighter, had been
N the same /" Shakespeare classes " FIVE
Years ago before her father died, leav-
sng his affairs so hopelessly complicated.
They had cantered side by side around
HRe tanbark- covered ring in Signor Sici.
willis Riding Academy; they had ca
saansed patterns, and written each
seher notes, beginning Dearest" and
soding "Yours to eternity" but when
aee sun of fortune went down on Clay.
seo Tcller's hapless family, Miss Aus
dale discreetly dropped their acquaint-
1sce.
ACecy was a darling" she pensively
observed; ''but these reduced gentry
ne always wanting to borrow money, or
.ssking favors, or making nuisances of
sAsmaelves in one way or another. Dear
pspa says it isn't best to expose ourselves
a. any such annoyances. And he be-
Gnngs to 80 many relief societies and
lid associations now that it's terrible
on- And Mr.. Thorneycroft preached
szaeh sweet sermon last Sunday on the
nzt: ''The poor ye have always with
Yuup So. as papa says, it's direct
Bying in the face Of Providence to try
S sifer things"
For Mr.. Felix Ausdale was one OF
Hsoae prominent rhiiauth.opists who did
ssss believe in hiding Their light under
Rnshel.
..He is q most benevolent person.
mid honest Mr.. Thorncycroft. 'And
Bliss husdale is an angel of goodness.
what should dowithout her aid in the
.arish work do not know"
The next night Tommy Teller pro