The southern argus., 1891-07-02
SUDDEN DEPRECIATION.

Youth Who Was Fond of Silver and
Pictures and Ills Unhappy Experience.
lie was rather anxious to make an
impression on his new acquaintance;
not for any particular reason, but just
because he liked to appear ITO be some
body" The chance apparently came
when the subject Of flats came up.
II have been thinking of taking one"
said the acquaintance, 'but I'm afraid
it costs too much to furnish one nicely.
Still, I'm tired of boarding"
"As to furnishing" said the young
man, fitting back in his chair and speak
ing like man Of great experience, 'of
course it depends on what will satisfy
you presume a small fat can be fur
nished for two hundred dollars; but y IN
little particular what | have around
the house myself. 1t cost me some
thing like seven hundred dollars to fur
nish my fat. / don't believe in getting
cheap things"
mo; it's not good plan" acquies-
ced the acquaintance. II suppose that
figure includes carpets"
''Oh, yes; everything of that sort
cookstOve, dishes and all that"
''Silver and plated-ware?"
'Dear me, no" The young man raised
his eyebrows in surprise. II hardly
consider that in the expense Of furnish
ing fat, you know. That's rather a
luxury. Still / must have three hum
dred dollars worth Of it. like to see
solid silverware on the table, and I've
been adding to that we got as wedding
presents"
''Of course" said the acquaintance,
thoughtfully. II don't believe | could
go in for much Of that at the start,
though
1T isn't necessary, my dear fellow.
Merely fad Of mine to be surrounded
by handsome things A cheap plate
will do just as We'll"
How about pictures?"
10, there one can soar as high as he
pleases. Unjust have four hundred dol
lars worth, but then I'm extremely
fond Of them. If were rich I'd spend
sary simply take pride in furnish
ing my house as handsomely as my
means will allow"
II suppose man has to have a clock
or twO?"
Eyes, but you get one that will keep
time pretty cheap. Of course, if you
want nice mantel clock it comes
higher. I have two-one worth one
hundred dollars and one worth fifty
dollars. / don't consider those in the
cost of furnishing any more than
watches. My wife has one Of those
worth eighty dollars easy and
wouldn't take sixty dollars for mine"
I'D have to have sewing-machine,
too'
t'You can get a pretty good one for
five dollars for mine, though"
"Ah, yes; where do you live, may /
ask?"
The address was given.
Yes, yes; thought 50. Right in my
district I'm obliged to you
''Quite welcome. Of course, it isn't
necessary to go in quite SO heavy, un-
less, like me, you by the way, what
business are you in?''
I'm assessor for your district"
'I-you-eXcuse me-did you"
''You say you have a total Of one
thousand seven hundred and fifty-five
dollars worth of household and persona
property And your wife, believe, ha.
some diamonds?'
'Rhinestones; nothing but rhine
stones, and they were wedding presents
And as for the furniture and all that,
suppose you didn't ta11e what | said in
earnest. Just little joke Of mine, you
know. why, if you'd offer me a hun
dred and fifty dollars for the whole lay
out | wouldn't take 1t for fear Of being
arrested for swindling."
'But that silver?'
"Nickel-plate, every bit Of it, anC
badly worn at that"
"And the clocks?"
Nothing but gilt, and have to be
wound up with a monl1cy-wrench."
But the young fellows in the adjoin
ing room, who had put up the job or
the young man, couldn't keep still any
longer. They had to laugh. Chicago
Tribune.