Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1889-01-12
Under False Pretences.

s'IIello" said Mr.. Ausda c, twitchina
at something that hung out Of Tommy
Teller's coat pocket whats this, Beer
cribbing something, out ofthe store, Ell:
Well, ! did suppose, Thomas. that you
were honest
Tommy Teller turned very red He
had stopped moment on his way from
the cash desk to settle a trifing differ
ence Of opinion with ! AIRY O'Brien,
another cash boy, and in the conflict had
forgotten all else
Il am honest, sir 70 said he. Il didn't
crib ANYTHING out of the store"'
II hen, y said Mr. Ausdalc what is
this"
It was a piece Of lemon coorel silk,
richly embroidered in rainbow tissue
OF colors. to initiate an Oriental scene
well, shadowed by pa m trees the fig
ure of one or two pilgrims; a group of
camels in the background.
ats Siss work" mumblcd Tommy.
II hid away in my pocket lust to chatf-
her. Sis is awful easy chaffed. Imeant
to leave it on her doorkno'5 this morning,
but forgot.
''Your sisters work?' said Mr.. 4 US
dale Crude very crude-but not
! bad. It's Just what Mrs Ausdalc wants for
sofa cushion. wouldn't mind giving
| IS for it if your sister cares 10 sell it..
"She'd ike to sell it, | know said
Tommy. "But the fancy Stores they're
overcrow ded with that sort Of thing and
Sis was Just doing it for screen for her
self"
Give dollars, then, said Mr. Ausdale.
Take it or leave it, a| you choose. I've
no time to stand haggljng here"
And Tommy, who had been brought up
with a very fair idea of the value of
money, and very little respect for art,
closed with Ia" bargain ut once
Tommy carried the s. bill home at
/ night when he left the store.
H. mothc worked in a dressmakinr .
establishment on ighth avenue. Cath e,
the Youngest sister, was "hand' in q
great corset factory; Cecily. the elder,
tempcrarily out of work aS a trimmer o1
bonnetS, now otiiciatcd as housekecper
Il like 10 have SIS home" observe
sage Tommy. because she always save
me y lit Of gingerbread or q spoonful 0
Jelly for my supper Ca'h e got tae
that sweets ain, good for boys
II il had not h,cn for the little seal
lop,d sugar cake, poor Tommy supper
Of dry bread and cheese would have beer
! favorlc,S enough He swallowed it
|, like a greedy puppy, in three gnips.
: Its ioliy good : said he.
> Tommy. ~aid tccilv, "havc 20,
seen my embroidery | believe you'v
hidden it, Won l.ttle wretch
Tommy drew out the folded green
4 back and l.ii it on The table.
? That's for You, sad he.
: Five dollars. Tommy For me .
= I've sold soar piece Of yellow fun
n mery. said Tonms, >eraR.ag his chees
u with knife, and layln, It butter wis
on tie bread.
II Tommy, thea Ven cured II away
;, ;, and I've looked al day Tor il.
II Il didn't mean too 'cal]y, SIS, 81.
!, Tommy. hs mouth di>'ended is brea
and grated cheese. j Just put il III II
: poc ket for lark last nieht. Wien y,
were tslkin. to Fannie Walker, a.
, clean forgot to take IT out again. Al
old Ausialr saw It. and said his WI
!, wanted silk cushion and he'd give Il
Fl dollars for it, so sold I.
h. Cecily's eyes sparhled.
q give dollars said she Il =
a thankful for the mesey, though dlii
a expect it would be q marketable attic
!, Everybody is trying their hand i, I
embroidery now"
II shan't ask more than ten perl cel
commission on the sale, observed To
my, with grin.