The Washington critic., 1888-02-04
THE PRICE OF TWO VASES.

her spare bedroom, and so, instead of
saying "No'' when he politely re-
quested her to see If she-had any
"old clo'es to change for some splen-
did vases" she allowed him to sit
down while she went upstairs to
rummage, and came down with some
old garments of her husbands and
one of those old "Stella shawls,"
which certainly she never should
wear again, unless it was at night, for
they went out of fashion before she
was married.
II came to her mind that she was
foolish to leave stranger alone so
long, but the old man was sitting
where she had left him, and looked
SO much like benevolent old patri-
arch that she was ashamed Of remem-
bering that the spoons were in the
pantry and the pantry unlocked.
However, he was quite worldly
enough to drive hard bargain, and
to the coat, vest and shawl she had to
add gown that might very well have
been worn often again.
However, it was not ready money,
and she felt that the vases-good
limitations of very costly ones-were
lovely. She carried them into the
spare room, and they made the
mantel-piece quite different thing.
Returning to the dining-room, how
ever, shock awaited her. Her hus-
bands overcoat, which he had un-
wisely left at home that day, because
it was unusually warm, was gone
from its peg on the hall rack, and,
opening the pantry door, she saw that
the spoons were gone with them.
They were only plated, but no one
likes to lose anything in that way.
Besides, she felt greatly to blame
for it. The old man had been gone q
long while, and, though she sent q
messenger for police officer, he gave
her no hope Of catching the thief or
Of getting the things back.
"Was there nothing else gomez" the
man asked.
Mrs. Christy looked about her and
discovered one thing more, a counter
felt five-dollar bill. She had had it
given to her by some one year be-
fore, and had found that it was worth
less, and had written across the back,
initials; and somehow she kept it in
her work basket. The old man had
spied it with his glittering black eyes,
and had helped himself to it.
Sat all events he can't pass it,"
laughed Mrs. Christy. 81 feel little
consoled when remember how pro-
voked he will be-"
Hell pass it somehow" said the
policeman as he walked away, promis-
| ing to report the case.
But Mrs. Christy, as she remem-
bered that the overcoat that had been
stolen was worth $40, and the plated
spoons at least $40, found it necessary
to 60 to her own room and have a
| good cry. 1t was not so much the
value Of the lost articles as the feeling
| that it was her fault, and that her
husband might possibly be so far left
| to himself as to tell her so. At all
events, she would lose little Of that
fine character for good sense with
which, to her great satisfaction, he
had endowed her.
The day did not pass very pleas
antly. Callers came, and she could
not help telling her story, but it was
joke to the best intentioned among
them; and as the dinner hour ap-
preached she felt very much indeed
like running away.
However, of course, she was obliged
to stay. Her daughters were paying
visit to some cousins, and there was
no one else to preside at table. Be-
sides, she could only have put off the
evil moment. She went up stairs and
got out some spoons she kept in re-
serve, and waited for the impending
moment. She hoped that her hus-
band would, at least, be in good hui
NOR, and not-when things went
wrong with him--a little cross.
Mr.. Christy, however, returned that
evening in high good humor. More
over, he had an overcoat upon his
arm. Could il be that he had come
back for it, after all, and the theft
had been limited to the spoons and
the counterfeit bank not?
81 thought you went without your
coat" she said, with little rejoiceful
leap of the heart, as she seemed to
recognize the garment by its form and
color.
But Mr.. Christy laughed.
$50 / did," he said. 80 l did.
No, this is new coat. l bought ii
for William. My son William is as
tall as 1 am, and nearly as stout, and
this fits me snugly-snugly. | came
across it jim queer way. 1t is quite O
bargain. You see, it looks entirely
new"
"Yes, it certainly does" said Mrs
Christy, "and exactly like yours, too
dear. Aren't you testing Y'
mo, no, no." said her spouse
"You know 1 only bought mine {
week ago. ] presume it is the newest
style, and William has none yet. HI
means to get cheaper one. So to
day, while. was in the office, il
walked an old mana venerable olC
gentleman.
"'Sir,' says he, Il am a man VIII,
does not find himself getting on well
and am forced to try going abou
among the gentlemen. am tailor
/ have made an expensive overcoa
for gentleman. Fifty dollars wa
the price, and he did not pay me. SO
when he had it ON his back one day
! said; Sir, pay me. And he said
This is your honest Christian
:" Yes, yes, said l; but | under
stand-he had not true Christian
principles, my good friend
" Very we'll, / believe not, sale
my old man. But when this hap
pened exercised my cunning. l sale
to him;
every well, sir, I will wait. Blu
| see there is button loose. will
fasten It for you. have silk anC
needle here
"Ah, said he. Just like you I,
leave it that way3 and Off comes tn,