Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-01-16
Il have no money, and I do not want


ed, loosening the strap which passed
across his shoulder, and lowering the
precious. package to the floor. A pair of
real Wedsewood faiences. Oh, don't
shake your head ma'am; shan't charge
you anything for looking at them, you
know. Tn certain you are I'm artist
all the ladies are born altists-and this
is something quite out Of the ordinary
run"
And with n succession of mods and
grins he unstrapped pair of really very
pretty blue vases, nearly 2 feet high, and
ornamented with raised garlands in
white.
"Only SO pair, ma'am," said he.
"Dirt cheap. 'spositively giving them
away at that price.
Il have not Sc to spare, l replied in
differently.
at is great bargain, ma'am," he in
sisted.
Il do not want them, said.
He was silent few econds.
I'm sorry, ma'am, he said. "Thev'd
b. great decoration for house like
this. But if you really won't buy, it
would be doing me great favor TO al
low them TO remain here until to-mor.
row. I've a long tramp before me, and
I'm not going TO any place where think
they'd e likely to buy anything of this
sort. I'll set them back by the chimney
piece, aa'am, where they woa't be in any
body's way. I'm very tired with carry
ing them"
felt sorry for the poor jaded wretch
so l made no objection. And when he
was gone the vases did make the room
look wonderfully pretty. 1 could MT
but wish they were mine.
Obadiah perceived them at once when
he came home to tea.
Hello, what does this mean?" he
asked
So l 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.
Not 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?" with sudden dance
of apprehension.
II? Certainly mott" I cried. "Why,
haven't 50 much as touched the
things!"
Then 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.
There are your vases" said, lust
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 urse responsible for the value
of the articles.
OF course | knew that the rascal was
telling falsehood; but what could do?
was alone in the house and fairly terri
fled 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. @Thc
vases were damaged when you left them
here. And, beside, have not $5-no.
nor Sin the house. Which was true
enough.
While spoke he had been glancing
fur;ively around.
II don't want to be hard with you,
ma'am." he said. "Of course a poor
man like me has got to save Himself from
loss, and if you'll let me have that set of
blue and white India chin, in the dresser,
I'll leave the vases, and we'll say no more
about it.
1t went to my heart to part with the
India ware, which had been relic of my
mothers housekeeping days, but was
so terrified by the mans bullying man.
ner that believe would have given him
the house over my head if he hal asked
for it, and he went away, leaving the
beautiful vases on the floor.
How glad was tosee Mrs. Meggs come
cheerfully in q half hour Afterwards
good motherly old soul, with silver spec
tacles, and an elderly dimple still lnger
ing OH her check.
why, my d, ar, what is the mattery p
she asked.
told her all.
But, my dear, she said, show came
you to be so taken in? There was an ar
ticle in the paper La week warning
everybody against this very impostor
Didn't YOU see itY 1t was called The
Vase Swindler.'"
colored deeply and hung my head
1--WE have stopped taking the paper,
said. Obadiah thought we couldn'
afford -"
And your beautiful china; tool" SAID
Mrs. Meggs. why, there was half ;
column in the paper, week before last
about he value of old china just now
And by what it stated your set of Ind;
ware must have been worth SO at least
Twenty dollarsl And had frittereC
them away for a pair of wretched