The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-10-15
A Cruel Hoax.

He threw away the stump of his cheroot
as ne ascended the steps of the North
pennsylvania street residence yesterday
AFTERNOON, and, as he touched the bell, ad-
gusted his crimson necktie, says the New
YORK Telegram. He wanted to make as
good nrst impression as possible, be-
cause il was part of his business. He was
selling new cosmetic.
1t was well he took the precaution, for
as the portals opened he beheld a female
ace 1t was stern and austere, for it was
attached TO a woman of some years, who
bore all the marks of spinsterhOod. She
wore glasses, and gave one the impression
that her features, as well as her intellect,
had been sharpened by contact with child
rem In the school room. Her corrugated
lace made even the nerve Of the cosmetic
vender wriggle with apprehension But it
was too late to retreat.
Good day, Miss" he said politely. re-
moving his hat and bowling low. rs your
The corners of that grim mouth began
TO elevate No, sir, she's not in. VIII l
He saw the advantage and replied:
Why certainly youH do. Miss" adding
under his breath. in a pinch"
But he got inside and as he deposited
his hat within easy reach, he asked: Il
called to inquire, Miss, if you needed any
She was sitting primly on the edge of a
char across the room waiting for him to
make known his business, and as those
words smOte her ears that coffee-colored
face turned a shade lighter.
What made you ask such a question
as that?" she asked sharply.
,. Why. I'M little near-sighted-that is,
L m selling cosmetic" he stammered.
We'll, then, l must inform you that l
do not need any Was that alp"
But he wasn't going to be bluffed.
May ! ask in parting if you ever use
any he asked as he reached for his hat.
No, sir, I don't"
wen, l don't know-only those HamiI-
ton girls across the street told me l might
call here, but they didn't think 1 could sell
you any"
She pricked up her ears.
Did they buy any2"
Yes, l sold each of them three bottles I
know, Miss, that you may not need any,
but this cosmetic of mine is warranted to
remove all skin blemishes, freckles, erup-
tons and give a beautiful, healthy color
to the skin. Not only this, but it will
render the skin soft and smooth-just like
a Sealskin. ma am"
Did you tell them Hamilton girls
that?"
Why certinly, ma am"
That it would make their skins as soft
as silk-just like a sealskin?"
Il did"
Then 1 don't want to talk to you A
man who can lie like that amt safe Why
sir, don't you know that if them Hamil-
ton girls got faces like sealskns there d
be moths in them before two hours?'
know it, my dear young lady, but
that was none of my business"
She softened a bit and talked about the
use Of cosmetics as though it was a sin.
Finally she decided to try it once, and
bought bottle. She would give him 80
cents. and not a cent more. He was sell
ing it for ST. and as it cost cents, he
vowed he could't afford it. but rather
than miss sale, he took the 30 cents.
He was in no enviable mood as he
turned to wish her good morning, and as
he was leaving he reached into his pocket
and pulled out little box Handing it
to her he said:
II almost forgot, Miss, that this goes
with your BOTTLE She took it, and a
moment afterward he was gone. I'D.
AS she stood in the doorway unwrap-
ping the little package in a half mystified
manner the agent was peeping out from
behind a tree. The next moment the
street echoed with a wild, demoniac yell
The spinster had unrolled a box of moth
eXterminator.