The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-01-31

at the door He nodded az me in an in
sinuating manner as l answered the
summons.
Couldn't ! sell you anything this
morning. ma'amf" he said. with liberal
display OF very white and even teeth.
Anything in the way Of elegant mantcl
vases, statuettes, decorated china, match
lsoxes--v
Il have no money, and do not want
any OF your wares, said spiritlessly
"Ah. but you do not know what
splendid article have here, he persist
ed, loosening the strap which passed
across his shoulder, and lowering the
precious. package TO the floor. A pair of
real Wedgewood faicnces. Oh, don't
shake your head ma'am; shan't charge
you anything for looking at them, you
know. I'm certain you are an artist
all the ladies are born artists--and this
is something quite out of the ordinary
run"
And with succession OF mods and
grins he unstrapped a pair OF really very
pretty blue vases, nearly 2 feet high, and
ornamented with raised garlands in
white.
"Only 80 pair, ma'am," said he.
4Dirt cheap. lt'spositively giving them
away at that price.
IL have not 80 to spare, ! replied i'm
differently.
1T is great bargain, ma'am," he in
sisted.
Il do not want them" said.
He was silent few seconds
sim sorry. ma'am. he said. "They'd
BE- great decoration for house like
this. But il you really won't buy, it
would be doing me a great favor 10 al
low them to remain here until to-mor.
row. I've a long tramp before me, and
I'm not going 10 any place where think
they'd be likely 10 buy anything of this
sort. I'll set them back by the chimney
piece. ma'am, where they won't be in any
body's way. I'm very tired with carry
/ ing them.
] felt sorry for the poor jaded wretch
so / made no objection. And when he
was gone the vases did make the room
look wonderfully pretty. could not
but wish they were mine.
Obadiah perceived them at once when
he came home TO tea.
"Hello. what does this mean?" he
asked
So told him. adding
II only wish that could afford them
they are SO handsome.
Obadiah walked around and around
them, with his brows knit thoughtfully
and his hands in his pockets.
yes, they're pretty said he. "But
they are not perfect"
mot perfect" / echoed.
Not by any means. Don't you see
that lengthwise crack down one And
the end of the little raised rosebud is
Clipped off on the other. | hope you
didn't do it, Josie 2" witlfa sudden glance
of apprehension.
II? Certainly not!r / cried "Why.
/ haven't SO much as touched the
things!"
~Then l dare say it's all right" said
Obadiah.
And we sat down to supper.
The next day, however, my friend,
the china vender, came along, smiling
and obsequious as ever.
where you left them.
But all at once he broke out into a
storm of reproach and obloquy. They
had been cracked and damaged in my
care. They were perfect--absolutely per
fect-when he left them there the day
before. / had worked the mischief, and
was Of course responsible for the value
Of the articles.
OF course l knew that the rascal was
telling falsehood; but what could | dor
| was alone in the house and fairly terri
fed by the ferocity of the man.
"You must pay me for them, he reit-
Grated again and again, "or will have
you arrested at once.
burst into tears. .
"How can pay YOU" ! said. "The
vases were damaged when you left them
here. And. beside, have not S5-no,
nor slim the house" Which was true
enough.
While spoke he had been CHANGING
furiivcly around.
II don't want to he hard with you,
ma'am," he said ~Of course poor
man like me has got to save himself from
loss, and IL you'll let me have that set Of
blue and white India china in the dresser,
I'LL leave the vases, and well say no more
about it.
IL went to my heart TO part with the
lndin ware, which had been arctic OF my
mothers housekeeping days. but was
10 terrified by the mans bullying man.
ncr that believe would have given him
the house over my head IL he had asked
for IL, and he went away, leaving the
beautiful vases on the floor
How glad was tosee Mrs. Meggs come
checrfuIly In half hour afterwardl--a
| good motherly old soul. with silver snec-