The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-12-27
THE ExPREssMANs NERVE.
Drca,sing a Mirror Was Not u Crushing
Z. Calamity for Him.


Calamity for Him.
.. Wyatt McGafioy, secretary of the
Chicago Society of Artists, related this:
Down on ono of the south sido av-
cnues resides Jack Blythe, with his
vito aEd twin boys. 1t SO happened
that Jack had determined to remove
from his ilat to ono few blocks away,
and no mado up his mind to oversee tho
job. but word came from tho firm that
a sudden press of business neccssitatcd
his running down to st. Louis.
Left to her own resources, tho good
wife secured tho services of an express
man, and cvory thing went swimmingly
until tho last load was being delivered
at tho new home. One of tho chief
adornments of Jacks library was pier
glass 1t was 4 handsome piece, greatly
priced by Jack, but tho fatcs SO willed
that jt should become a victim to tho
ruthless hand of tho cXpressman, for he
slipped, Knocked it against the balus-
trade, and its beauty was forever spoiled.
"A feminine shrek and Il masculine
ejaculation followed the crash of tho
glass, then siloncc for a moment, while
both viewed tho ruins. The lady was
the first to speak.
"'Iou will havo to pay for that glass
Right here camo into play the ex.
prcssman's natural nerve, flanilcd by
suavity and politoncss, and reinforced
by an apparent contritoness and humil-
ity of spirit.
Z" Madam. acknowledge my care.
lcssncss, and am deeply paincd at tho
result of ii, ana would DO only too glad
to replace tht glass wero my circum-
stances such as to permit of it. but my
paying for it is entirely out of tho
question:
why can YOU not pay for it?"
qucricd the indignant lady.
=" Madam. | will state tho case as con-
ciscly as can, and you can then Judge
of my ability to make good tho damage
to your property. | am married man,
have three children. and receive the
munificcnt salary Of $3.50 per
diem for driving tho wagon.
Your pier glass was u valuable
one, costing probably $50. l would
take my entire salary for space of
about six weeks to rcmunerate you
thing which, you can readily perceive,
would he impossible for me to accom-
plish without serious Inconvenience to
my family. However much | desire to
replace it, and l assure you that such is
my earnest desire. must again state
that il is without the pale of posi-
bility
" Then shall mako your employer
pay for it
" Madam. allow mo to inform YOU
that every thing he possesses is in his
wlic's name, and without tedious suit
at law You could accomplish nothing
''The little woman was cornered A
lawsuit was out Of the question. for then
Jack would know all about the mishap,
and the thought uppcrmost in her mind
was to have the glass duplicated with
out his knowledge. ncccssi tating its re-
placement Immediately. Tho expense
was minor consideration.
"'Ill tell yon what I'll do she sa id:
you take the dimensions, 20 down ana
get the glass and set it, and then | will
pay the BILL
THE cXprcssmnu was silent Il mo-
mont before replying.
Your proposition is IL magnanimous
one, madam, but | am forced to reject
it, You forget that am not working
for myself. My time belongs to my
employer. To 20 down town would take
very nearly two hours. and this could
not conscicntously DO without his
knowledge and consent
This was too much for the now thor
oughly indignant lady. She could see
no way out Of the difficulty, and had re-
cours" TO womamS last and most power
full arTumcnt-tcarS- seemed TO
have the desired effect on the express
man.
"I will do it, madam. What my
employer will say do not know, but |
will tako all the chances to accommo-
date you. will return as soon as pos
sibc.
''In duo season he returned and set
the glass. 1t fitted admirably, and but
for the debris no signs Of tho accident
remained. Tho bill, mado out on the
stationery OF Brittle, Waro e. Co., for
just so, was presented and paid.
"And now for the sequel. Glass. YOU
know, is one OF those articles in which
there is an immense profit to the re-
taller. and wholesalers quote it subject
To several discounts. In this case tho
cxprcssman got thirty per cent. off tho
list price he representing himself as =
dealer, and twenty per cent. more off
for cash. leaving him net prolific on the
deal of SSa5-l pretty fair days work for
an exprcssman in dull times. Chicago
Mail.
A BANDIT OF TONQUIN.