The Press., 1889-08-22
quite enjoyed it.

J j
 My merriment was shortened, however, for. not fifteen minutes after discovered that s9 new vest of Psalter's, which he had only brought home the day before, and which had laid upon my work basket until shonld find time to set the buckle at the back . littae farther forward, was missing.
 I searched everywhere, but the vest was nowhere in the house. Such beautiful thing as 1t was, too, and Psalter had given more for it than I had ever known him to- give for vest before, because he admired it soto think that 1t should be lost through my own foolish carelessness. for of course I knew that old peddier had iti never felt 50 distressed in all my life about such 8 thing. I would far rather have lost my own velvet bonnet, or even my best dress would: the way round, like e boy's, to have had it back again, and I'm cure 1 couldn't say more. than that.
 Glad as always am to hear Psalter's step upon the sidewalk, almost dreaded to hear 1t that night, for should have to tell him all about 1t; and though knew he wouldn't. scold, yet, dear mel did feel so ashamed of my stupidity.
 The first thing Fanny did when she heard her father getting his 1atchkey into the key- hole was to run, with her vase in. her hand, down to the entry to show her bargain to him, and, tripping oyer the rug, down she came just as he opened the door, smashing the china and cutting her, poor little lip ter: ribly. There was an end d4 the vase. and her lamentations over her broken toy and cut lip were deafening, and while trying to soothe her forgot an about the. peddler and vest both for little time Peace was restored, and I was just filling the teapot when Brother John arrived, looking exceedingly compla- cent, and carrying a parcel under his arm, which he laid upon the sofa.
 "What Is in that paper. Uncle Johnf' said, Fanny, inquisitive as usual, trying to untie the cord which fastened the package.
 'nThat is my new vest, Fan, said John, mtying the string himself. s~ At the word ''vest, my heart sank like lump of lead.
 . "oh, dearr thought. 'sthe time Is oom- ing. tmust tell now, very soon" ''It is just like yours, Psaiter, said John. rare piece of good fortune, an old fellow of fered me just such one this morning, and bought it. don't believe you could tell the two apart.n ..z....-:s ...sz--.,.... 4 .s
 And he held up vest So like Psalter's that 1t seemed absolutely the same. ,..r
 "The old fellow had . lovely shawl, which he said was 6 wonderful bargain-only $5l It Is just the color of the one you were so partial to, that was stained, or spotted, or something, so thought I'd bring 1t up to you"
 He held 1t toward me; but when took 1t in my hand, good graciousl it was-no, 1t couldn't be-yes, 1t absolutely was the very shawl had given to the old peddler man for Fanny's vase. The spots were taken out and 1t had been brushed and ironed, bat 1t was the very same. ,... -. 4i John did not notice my agitation, but went on: -.... .-- | "I think my vest came to less than yours did, Psaltx. Let me see. I gave him 8 $10 note and he gave me this in change hope 1t Is good" .=..s .,... .., ss4 f
 And John drew from his pocket note marked with red ink on the back. as .
 "Why, Uncle John,n ' cried Rosa, the mo
 "Your money, chHdp' cried John, aston ished. 'sYour moneyr
 "Yes, uncle-my bad money that pa gave me to play with. Don't you see the red let ters on the back-bad- that pa put therea"
 John turned the note over on the other side
 1.-The child js right, ? he said. "What does all this meanr
 While he was looking at the note with all his might reached over and picked mp the vest, turned 1t on the wrong side, and there, sure enough, were Psaiter's initials, written in indelible ink by my own hands that very morning. ,a.sS.tes4ss { sssss ss.!.. ~ | Iasked
 "Oh, didn't I tell yours said John. ..An : old man who said he kept . large clothing store, but heipg in poor circumstances was obliged to petidle of the remainder of his stock himselfn
 s.Had he a nose like our parrots beak and eyebrows that went up or said Fanny, mak- ing two little right angles with her fore f1n- >i gers over her eyes; "because if he had, it's our old clothes man, and he got that bill off the hall table.n .,-. .....- .sWhy-what- T can't zlake this out" said John, completely bewildered. "What do you mean by 'our old clothes man. FannyT' "Why, a man came to the door with pretty things In basket" ," said Fanny, "and ma gave him @ shawl and an old coat for my pretty vase that Ibroke just now and after he had gone we found that he had stolen pas vest and my bad money, uncle"
 "Yes, John,n put in, land he must have gone straight down town afber he left me and sold the articles to you, for that Is the only way In which can account Tor the fact O1 your having brought them mp again just as had made up my mind that I had bidden good-by to them forever" .f:.... 4
 Johns astonishment beggared description. He stood open mouthed. rumpling his hair with both hands, for more than ten minutes; and then-but no matter what he said. Suf- flee 1t to say that such invectives of ven- geance on the whole race of old clothes spec ulators were never before uttered, and that those hurled on the head of the particular one in question amounted to anathemas
 Every tale should have a moral, and re- member we'll the one affixed to this, all ye housekeepers: "Never deal with old clo' man, for one peddler Is match for Ave ordinary females "-Mary Kyle Dallas.
 An Important Summons.
 Valet Einging up the doctor at Il 30 D. m.)