The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1895-06-12
HE OVERREkCHED HIMSELF.
And 1t Was an Exceedingly Unhappy Time
For Him.

And 1t Was an Exceedingly Unhappy Time
| For Him.
A very wealthy society man in
this city few years ago had estab-
lished himself as the most valued
friend of charming lady and her
two daughters who occupy a fine
house on the avenue and entertain a
great deal. Tho man in question
dresses well, has handsome bachelor
apartments, where he gives delight
full little suppers, which the debu-
tantes think deliciously bohemian,
and he is the soul of liberality when
it comes to contributing toward q
fund of some charity which will
place his name On the list of patrons.
In spite OF these qualities there
have been from time to time num-
Der of suits against this irreproach-
able for unpaid tailors' bills, rumors
that he paid his valet only in sweet
words and smiles and hints that he
had even cheated a summer hotel
out Of board bill. Those disquiet-
ing whispers, however, had never
reached the ears of the mother and
daughters, and they regarded the
friend as only second to the angels
and saints and the fat rector of the
fashionable church where they at
tended services.
At Easter the amiable man decided
that the many attentions which had
been shown him by the pretty girls
and the charming mother must he
returned by at least an Easter SOU
venir. The worthy man HE'D him to
a Fifth avenue china shop Heknew
that very lovely gifts would be sent
the girls, and that to compare with
them his present would need to be
something very pretty. For a whole
afternoon the society miser remained
amid the brio. a. brac and costly china
trying to mako up his mind to spend
S1S for Sevres cup OF a box for
sweets. Suddenly the salesman trip
ped on something, and stretching out
his hand to steady himself knocked
over superb vase of rare cloisonne
of delicate pink crackle. It fell to
the floor, shattering into dozens of
pieces. The shopkeeper gazcd at it
in silent despair.
"How much was it worth?" asked
the customer.
"Oh, S35 wouldn't pay for the
handle even."
Dear me! Can't it be fxed?"
mo indeed. shall just sweep it
out as it is, and his voice chokcd
with emotion. A bright idea came
to tho miserly society man.
'See here, my friend" he said,
81 will give you IS for those pieces
just as they are" The man looked
surprised.
You do them up in the same
sized box you would have used for
the vase and wrap it up and deliver
it at this address which l will give
you. Instruct tho boy to fling the
package down at the door, ring tho
bell and run away, so as to avoid an
swering questions. Do you agree?"
The shopkeeper agreed.
The society man dined that even
ing with his friends. 1t was the day
before Easter, and gifts from all over
were arriving. Finally a servant en-
tered with a box carefully done up.
"This was left at the door with no
name or message, madam" he said
as he set it down. The girls merrily
cut the string, and the society man
stood by, smiling, ready to burst
into a passion of Indignation. The
card was found first, and he was
obliged to accept their expressions
of surprised pleasure. Then tho inner
box was opened. The misery swell
gave one glance and rushed from
the room. The shopkeeper had over
done his part. Every individual frag-
ment of porcelain was wrapped up in
a separate bit of tissue paper.-New
York Advertiser.