Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1890-09-24
THE ExPREssMAN's NERVE.

THE ExPREssMAN's NERVE.
breaking Mirror Was Not q Crushing
Calamity for Him.
]. Wyatt McGatfey, secretary OF the
Chicago Society Of Artists, related this:
"Down ON one OF the south side av-
enues resides Jack Blythe, with his
wife and twin boys. It 80 happened
that Jack had determined to remove
from his flat to ono a few blocks away,
and no made up his mind to oversee the
Job, but word camo from tho firm that
q sudden press OF business necessita ted
his running down to st. Louis.
Loft to her own resources, the good
vito secured the services Of on express
man, and ovory thing went swimmingly
until the last load was being delivered
Mt tho now home. One of the chief
adornments of jacks library was pier
glass. 1t was q handsome piece, greatly
priced by Jack, but the fates so willed
that 1t should become q victim to the
ruthless hand Of the expressman, for he
slipped, knocked it against tho balus-
trade, and its beauty was forever spoiled.
"a feminine shrek and O masculine
ejaculation followed the crash of the
glass, then silence for moment, while
both vowed the ruins. The lady was
the first to speak.
"'You will have to pay for that glass.
Fright here came into play the OK
pressman's natural nerve, hanked by
suavity and politeness, and reinforced
by an apparent contriteness and humil-
ity OF spirit.
Madam, I acknowledge my care.
lessness, and am deeply panied at tho
result Of it, and would be only too glad
to replace tht glass were my circum-
stances such as to permit of it, but my
paying for it is entirely out OF the
question:
why can you not pay for it?"
queried the indignant lady.
Madam, I will state the case as con-
of my ability to make good tho damage
to your property. l am a married man,
have three children, and receive the
muniflcent salary of $3.50 per
diem for driving the wagon.
Your pier glass was a valuable
ono, costing probably $50. I would
take my entire salary for a space Of
about six weeks to remunerato you 4
thing which, you can readily perceive,
would be impossible for me to accom-
plish without serious inconvenience to
my family. However much desire to
replace it, and assure you that such is
my earnest desire. I must again state
that it is without the pale of posi-
bility.
Then shall make your employer
pay for it,
Madam, allow mo to inform you
that every thing he possesses is in his
wife's name, and without tedious suit
at law you could accomplish nothing
1.-THE little woman was cornered. A
lawsuit was out of the question, for then
Jack would know all about the mishap,
and the thought uppermost in her mind
was to have the glass duplicated with
out his knowledge, necessitating its re-
placement Immediately. The expense
was minor consideration.
"'Ill toll you what I'll do she sa id:
you take the dimensions, 60 down and
get tho glass and set it, and then will
pay the bill
The expressman was silent mo-
mont before replying.
"'Your proposition is magnanimous
one, madam, but l am forced to reject
it. You forget that I am not working
for myself. My time belongs to my
employer. To go down town would take
very nearly two hours, and this could
not conscientiously 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-
course to woman's last and most power
have the desired effect on the express
man.
Isl will do it, madam. What my
employer will say do not know, but I
will take all the chances to accommo-
date you. will return as soon as pos
sible.'
"In due season he returned and set
the glass. 1t fitted admirably, and but
for the debris no signs of the accident
remained. The bill, mado out on the
stationery of Brittle, Ware & Co., for
just $50, 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 the
expressman got thirty per cent off the
list price, he representing himself as a
dealer, and twenty per cent, more off
for cash, leaving him a net profit on the
deal of $25-a pretty fair days work for
an expressman in dull times. "-Chicago
Mail.
A BANDIT OF TONQUIN.
Youthful Lun.K XIV and tho Vast Store of
Gold He Has Stolen.