The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-01-09

Yes, madam. That collar was upon
tain"
''I think not, sir!"
II am sure Of it. madam. 1t was
taken away and without being paid for
too"
What do you mean, sir?" said the
lady, heightening little IN color, and
growing not little indignant at my
clients coolncss and seeming cfrOntery.
just what 1 have said, madam. That
lace collar on your neck was taken from
my counter on the day and hour you
were in my store, on Tuesday last. l
repeat that it has not been paid for; and
it is not the first article l have missed,
in similar way, in the past year. l
know of what speak. can prove in
court Of justice what ] have now al
legged here. And l have brought my
bill here for settlement" concluded
the merchant, handing the ''TAiefs Ac-
count, " that Qaiu had prepared, TO her
astounded husband.
This seems TO me TO be a most extra
judicial proceeding, SIR" began the hus-
band. What are all these items
hereP'
''Your lady, possibly, can explain
them, Sir ! can Z
''But-what-how-w muttered
the man, confuscdly-
81 can't answer that, SIR" continued
my client, noticing the sudden disap-
pearance Of the lady from the unpleas-
ant scene. "Au I know is that these
articles have mysteriousIy disappeared
from time to time from my counters,
and that I have found the thief who
stole the ten-dollsr lace collar; who was
seen 70 take. it by myself and another
from my store. This party must pay
my bill, here, or ] shall Immediately
take legal measures to collect all / can
Of this amount"
But this bill amounts to two hun
dred and eight dollars. sir
''Does it? l did not notice the sum
total precisely" said the merchant, in
differently looking it over. ''Yes,
you're correct, sir; it is two hundred
and eight"
''You don't want me to pay-that is,
you don't expect me to pay for other
peoples"
DO you know these other people
you speak of, sir?"
NO But"
Neither do L do not know one of
the offenders. VIII you give me your
check, sir, for this bill? l: is your mis-
fortune TO have such wife; but I can
not suffer for it"
"You don't pretend that one person
took all these goods, do you?"
Il pretend nothing; only have sim
ply endeavored to state the matter as
clearly and politely as the circum-
stances Of the case win warrant. You
do not care TO have any publicity given
to this affair, and L am quite willing TO
avoid 1t, l assure you. Now, sir, viii
you accommodate me with your check?
And 1 will receipt the bill" concluded
my client, rising.
How much did you sayP"
1.-TWO hundred and eight dollars
The man went 10 his desk, wrote hur-
-iedly for moment, and said:
Here it is Let this be the last Of Il,
ir" --..--.--.--
with all nv heart" said my client
'GOOd-day, sir"
The lace merchant returned to his
tore within the hour.
Has any one called TO see me, Mr..
Quill?" he asked.
mo, sir" Z
Then handing him the check, he
said, pleasantly:
IeIGs 0a44l, IAh0 THIS, anu Oalance
the 'Thiefs Account Is the amount
correct?" -
Exactly, sir-to 4 dollzr.r
'.All right We shall ,ot be troubled
with one OF our old customers any more,
l think" --,.....
And the fictitious account in the
ledger was forthwith closed, satis;ac-
torily 10 the merchant, who gave me
the above facts afterwards, but without
mentioning the name OF the unfortunate
kleptomauiac.