The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1892-01-21
SPEAKING THE
Truth FOR A DAY.
CHAPTER III-coNr1NuEp.


"Lal well, it was very honest in you
Co tell me so, else / should ha' been
taken in" said the old lady, rising to
depart.
Il can show you some genuine Welsh
flannel, really all wool, and warrant
not to shrink much, at higher price,
num-" said the young man, trying TO
stop her progress.
"No, l thank you; ] think I'll 60
over the way" replied the old lady,
evidently afraid OF being taken
in.
The face OF Mr.. Black, who had
overheard this conversation was
crimson. with anger. Fastening after
the departing customer he exclaim-
ed
cit was all mistake, mum, about
those tlannels; the tickets were put up.
on the wrong goods, assure you.
ordered my young men to rectify the
error Immediately, but suppose they
neglected it; it shall, however be done
instantly. In the meantime, if you
will step back we can show you
ooh, no. / thank you" hastily ex.
claimed the old lady, hurrying out Of
the shop.
"There! now you've done it again, y
muttered Mr.. Black, in low, enraged
voice close to the ear of Joseph
Have you taken leave of your senses
this morning. Why should you tel
that lady that the flannel wasn't
Welsh, wasn't wool, and would shrink
badly.
because she asked me, and had
to answer her the truth.
"Truth!" exclaimed the proprietor
in q voice of suppressed fury. But al
this moment a party OF ladies ad
vanced toward Joseph, and his prin
cipal retreated to recover his compos
ure.
''Now, are these real French silks?'
inquired one of the ladies, examining
what was intended to pass muster fol
glaee. ea 80
chino, madam" faltered 10
seph, blushing up to his eyes. 49,.
"But they are labeled Genuine
French Silks though l had my doubt
about it, too; but why do you labe
them thus, if they are not so? But il
is mistake, / SUPPOSED" sold the
lady, intorrogatively.
EMO, madam, it was not"
"What! you don't mean to say thai
it was done on purpose?"
eyes, madam"
"Why do you put false labels OF
your goods?"
"To sell them at better price"
| p,,A Sc oh
/ lady, in q shocked voice.
II know it, madam" the truth-tell
er was forced to admit. "But we cal
it shaving"
"And is this the practice of you1
shop?" Z
eyes, madam"
Shocking And-but why do yor
expose these things? Have you quar-
relied with your employers2"
mo madam; [ never was in higher
account withthem than this morning. y
Extraordinary! But why, then
do you dare tell me these things?"
Because you ask me question:
which I feel compelled to answer
truthfully."s
Wonderful And do you Away
| tell the TRUTH"
~ do now, madam"
"And do your employers know o
it?"
~ think not"
~ should think not, indeed"
"But how about these silks falsel!
labelled French. I should like t.
know what they really are?"
"English silks of rather inferio
quality"
"But what is their real worth in re
tail2" ~.
"About two shillings yard"
"And you sell them for three shill
ings! a third more than their value
Monstrous! l never will enter thi
shop, and | shall certainly let ever,
one of my friends know how they Or
taken in," said the lady, dropping til
silks and departing.
This scene was witnessed not onl,
by the panic-stricken Black, but b,
White and Green, who stood in con
sternation for O. minute after tn
lady had left the shop; and then al
three made simultaneous rush upol
Joseph, exclaiming in d breath
"What on earth do you mean, sir?'
care you mad? Do you wish t.
ruin us?" demanded Black.
"You are driving away every Gus
toner out of the shop. You are cost
ing US q hundred pounds an hour, if
penny exclaimed Green.
"Why do you act in this insan
manner" inquired White.
81 am asked questions, and tie
the truth" answered Joseph, drive
to desperation by this storm of invet
tive.
"Truth! What do you mean b
that? you say our labels are false!
said Black.
"You say we put false tickets o.
our goods, to sell them at bette
price!" said Green. ,...'
"And that it is the practice of on
establishment" said White. a
"Well, it is the truth! the truth tn
truth! and must speak the truth,
I die for itP' cried Joseph, wildly.
"Get out OF our shop, you Yillianl
roared Black. $500. -.. ..~
"Begone; you scoundrel!" thundere
Green. rt"s.s .-
| ri. NSFEL SAOW yOuA AeboG hAoldO VI W.
doors again, you reprobate!" shoute
White. r....-..
| "Go!" stormed all three. ..
The time had come. Joseph too
his hat, leaped lightly over the cour
ter, and stopping only to snatch til
parcel consigned to his care by Brown
vanished from the shop.
"Well," thought Joseph Morriss, a
he found himself in the street, wit
the parcel under his arm II hay
spoken the truth for six hours only
without any other fault than that,
find myself disinherited and turne
out of doors by my uncle, and di
graced and driven from the shop I
my employersl Will the rest follow
Will sweet Lizzie Bell discard me fc
telling her. some unpleasant trutl
And will terrified and indignar
society send me to Bedlam as a mac
man too dangerous to be at larger"