The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-05-12
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I'm certain you are an artist-all ladies
are born artists--and this is really some
thing quite out of the ordinary.'
And with succession of mods and
grins, he unwrapped a pair of really
pretty blue vases nearly two feet high
and ornamented with garlands in white
"Only six dollars pair ma'am," said
he. "Dirt cheap. It's positively Civ.
ing them away at that price"
81 have no six dollars to spare,''
said indifferently.
"It's great bargain at that price,
he insisted.
81 do not want them"
He was silent for few moments.
"I'm sorry, ma'am,' said he.
'They'd be great decoration for a
house like this; but if you really won't
buy it would be doing me great favor
to allow them to stand here until to-
morrow. I've long tramp before me,
and Pm not going to any place where l
think they may be likely 10 buy any,
thing of that sort. I'll set them by the
chimney-piece, ma'am, where they
won't be in anyone's way. And 1 am
very tired with carrying 'em."
felt sorry for the poor jaded wretch
so made no objection And when he
look wonderfully pretty. could not
but wish they were mine.
Obadiah perceived them at once
when he came home to tea.
"Hellol" said he; "what does this
mean?"
$50 1 told him, adding:
81 only wish that 1 could afford to
buy them, they are go handsome"
Obadiah walked around and around
them with his hands in his pockets and
his brow knit thoughtfully.
eyes, they're pretty" said he, "but
they're not perfect"
"Not perfect" echoed.
"Don't you see that lengthwise crack
on one? And the end of the little
raised rosebud is Clipped off on the
other. l hope you didn't do it, Josie?n
with a sudden glance of apprehension
81? Certainly not!" l cried. "Why,
I haven't so much as touched the
things"
"Then l dare say it will be all right"
said Obadiah. And he 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 I, "just
where you left them"
But all at once he broke into storm
of reproach and obloquy. They had
been cracked and damaged in my care.
They were perfect when he left them
the day before. had worked the mis-
chief and l of course was responsible
for the value of the articles. OF course
knew the rascal was telling false
hood, but what could / do? / was alone
and utterly cowed by the ferocity of the
man.
" You must pay me for them" he re-
iterated, again and again, cor l will
have you arrested at once"
l burst into tears.
"How can pay you" said 1. "The
vases were damaged when you left
them here. And besides, I have hot
five dollars-no, not one dolar-in the
house." (Which, also was true enough)
furtively around.
81 don't want to be hard with you,
ma'am," said he. "Of course poor
man like me has got to save himself
from loss, and if you let me have the
set of blue and white India china on the
dresser in exchange, Ill leave the vases
and we'll say no more about itl'
1t went to my heart to part with the
India ware, which had been relic of
my mothers housekeeping days, but
was 80 cowed and terrified by the mans
bullying manner that believe l would
have given the house from over my
head if he had asked for it; and he
went away leaving the beautiful vases
on the floor. How glad was to see
Mrs. Meggs come cheerfully in half an
hour afterward! Good motherly old
soul, with silver spectacles, and an eld-
erly dimple still lingering on her cheek
"Why, my dear, said she, what's
the matter?"
And / told her all.
"But, my DEAR" said she, show came
you to be taken in? There was an ar
ticle in the Herald last week, warning
everybody against this very impostor.
Didn't you see it? 1t was called the
Vase Swindler!'"
I colored deeply, and hung down my
head.
"We have stopped taking the pa
per-" said 1. "Obadiah thought we
couldn't afford"
"And your beautiful old china, too?"
said Mrs. Meggs. "Why, there was
half column in the paper, week before
last about the value of old china just
now. And by what it stated your set
i