Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-04-18
DUFFY'S NOTE.

"SStHAid VIC Hlai VI ttlilitc bdhSS
its way"
Pliny Fisk had heard those words
OF good Bishop Berkeley in his boyhood,
and, actuated in part by them, and
in part by the wise counsel of Horace
Greeley to go west and grow up with
the country, immigrated in his early
manhood to their then youthful State
Of Colorado.
Once there, Pliny embarked in bust
ness. He possessed but few of the
characteristics of "tender-foot,"
and readily fell into the rough, but
good-hearted ways of the country.
After herding cattle in the valleys
and prospectingfor the precious metals
upon the mountains, he settled down
to commercial life in the second
city of the state.
1t is not the purpose of this sketch to
extol his virtues, which are manifold,
or recount his success, which was con-
siderable. But one small incident of
Pliny's western life concerns us, and
that we will relate with us much speed
as we may.
In the Western country at that
time-and the same rule still prevails
there, to the no small disgust of
merchandise large amount Of the
goods sold were charged up in the
books instead OF being paid for in
that most convenient commodity
"spot cash"
Particularly is this true ofthe ranch
man. Aside from small plot OF
cultivated ground to supply them with
vegetable food, his sole reliance is in
his herds. When these are Sold IN
a favorable year, he is "well-heeled"
for time and enabled to pay his
debts which necessity has forced him
to contract.
Like all other engaged in merchand-
izing in that section, Pliny was oblig-
ed to keep large ledger in which he
entered more credits than cash.
Among his numerous country Gus
toners was an Irishman named Duffy.
He bought many goods without once
showing thec color ofhis money. III be
after payin' you right soon Mr.. Fisk, :
he always apologetically remarked.
For nearly two years this state Of
affairs continued and Duffy's bill was
soaring up near the point where a dol
, lar mark and three figures would b,
required to express it.
Everybody in town, where the Celtic
ranch man was generally known sale
: that he was all right and would settl,
the account as soon as he disposed o
{ bunch of cattle.
: But this did not pay the manufac
turers and wholesalers from whom
! Pliny purchased his goods, and afte
I waiting until hispatience was exhaust
: ed, he wrote letter calling attention
4 of the debtor to the condition OF tn
+ account and stating the fact-a VERT
/ able fact it was-that he was sorel,
+ pressed for funds to meet his accruin
|, liabilities.
TO this Duffy paid no attention, an,
Q a month later the merchant sent hin
: a formal statement of the account.
A week later the ranchman came t
the city. Finding the proprietor GU
and the store in charge of clerk, h
not only paid nothing. but purchase
a number of needed articles, thus il
increasing by several dollars his a
ready long account.
This rather bold action piqued til
/ merchant, and he proceeded to writ
It Duffy a strong letter, demanding in
e mediate payment, and threatening a
action at law If it was not at once II
sponded to.
A week later Pliny was seated in hi
II little office. He had written up IN
Y books, answered a number of letter
# and was engaged in a reverie wherei
the State Senatorial Convention
which was near at hand, furnished til
= largest theme, when a shadow fell III
on his face.
Rousing himself with a start fro,
10 his brown study, the merchant Loo
IA ed up and saw the vast proportions
n his country debtor standing in Il
Ne doorway.
The feeling of pleasure which preva,
= ed his breast at the welcome sigh
r.. vanished when he had looked a secor
time. Duffy's face was red and h
manner and bearing told that he la
n, not passed by all the places whe
strong drink was sold, in his iourn,
lnlO NliC Cltg
"A GLOW 90 you do, Dufy?' queri,
Fisk in the mildest of all the tones
,ol carried in stock.
5s 'I'm well, thank we kindly. NJ
Fisk. I'm right well. And how a
zee ye?"
~ 'SOh! I'm"
4. "0f course you're well, Don't bot
er yourself to say it. Can't / see tn
st you're well? Amt health an beau
Id a-shinin' in your face? Oh, you
well, OF course you are"
"Yes, Duffy, my health"
"Its good, you don't need to t
me that. Can't see itmyselfg VIZ
an l got your letter"
seYou know how these matters a
~ Duffy, began the merchant, delight
- to find that his caller was not i'll t
gu belligerent mood he had feared. Il
awfully pressed for money, and y
Or being a little careless
Don't mention it, Mr., Fisk. | W
BILE after tellin' the old woman this mo-
/ = 4. lac III