The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-07-01

sem blance to the owner. Five I a.
offered, ton L am offered, shall l hav
ffteon ?" and away up went the bid.
for this undoubtedly was a prize {
value; and whom at twenty-five do
lars it was taken by u man with.
white waistcoat and u big seal to hi
watchciain, his friends congratulate,
him, while the cover was being prize,
open with special care. a pause,
craning Of nccks, thcn u yell Of dc
lighted laughter rang out that cchoet
clearly from the house across tn,
street, while the now owner gazed |,
blank stupefaction at his acquisition
Peal on peal Of merrimcnt rang out
and men lay down and rolled aud SHOOK
at the disclosure. For there, ncatl,
packed, was II Stuffed double headed
calf, consigned vainly to some unap
prcciativc freak museum by q disap
pointed granger.
"What did [ toll you, gentlemen,
about its being II family portrait ~
cried the salesman, grinning, and
again the crowd shouted and guycd
| the buyer You can trust me every
| time, gentlemen: trust me all in all or
another prize. How much for this,
no doubt u jewel case - and the fun
went On.
Presently, a small, box.liko parcel
was put up.
Here, gentlemen, is another jewel
box. IL Is light tossing it" so it
can I be wedding cake like the last
lot, in which | was unfortunately mis-
takCn. Year old cake is u little dry
brother, amt it? Better buy u fresh
lot tomorrow and remember me when
the cards arc out" and the red. faced
t"amstcr, who had made that unlucky
purchase, turned all sorts Of colors, to
the huge delight OF his unmerciful
Lows. How much :"
II did look like something of value.
tnat oblong little box, and bids c,lmc
fast and in earnest. Men get reckless
at times under such enthusiasms, and
II was Il long price indeed that carried
I'll tac treasure. Eager eyes awaited
the Hhloidlng. Paper after paper fell,
string alter string went wrthng
Gu"a, before the box itself was SHOWN.
Ihrn slowly, revcrently the rough
man IlItcd from it's bed Of protecting
>ottun wool the treasure which had
been packed SO carefully with tender,
loving hands a year ago and sent on
lis unruuCd mission. Torn, 1t was,
with briers. Torn and scratched,
rubbed thrOught TO the whitu--onIy !.
tiny baby shor.
Where was The guying, tho Taught
nr Not II sound escaped from the
crowd. For long, long seconds silence
tell Ike mist upon Ihcm, and like a.
mist things seemed TO each man there
for those long seconds, dim and indis-
JluCt, W hat little feet had stumbled in
,haL bit OF leather and its mate II year
ago, ana Wh( re were tncy now? St,ll
,j0rdi"r and more wearing, or on Il
pavement Who could say?
" ihc buyer slowly turned the slipper
over, Il DiI OF paper with faded writing
IN II, blottcu and stained, lluttcred out
ana lifted DOWN. Way was it
st"inud: We're they tears that made
.hOsc blurs, and why?
ticaitalingly the man picked up the
paper ana began 10 read to the silent
men
bLNH l""-nJoc, come back to me. had
'ulN N"u and sammy to love. | never
Anew now much loved YOU tilt you'd
."uc, amt now the doctor sayS--O Joe, he
-HNs shall not have Sammy much longer
unc back before
There WAS IL struggle, a showing. a
noarsc voice that cried harshly, Let
ne through and chokcd and cease d.
''N'' ~ man obi SO lIl GllCu anu
rhncd upon the counter.
"t Give me that lLs mine ~
i-vLtG" and shoe were wrcnchcu from
,hr holder hand. An unhecdcd, un-
counted wad Of crumplcd bills was
thrust into them in return Then,
with a wild, desperate gesture and
swing OF his arm, the man plunged
straight down as though into "a tossing
7"A, and plowcd his way rcsisllcssIy
OWaru the door.
These that were left looked at one
another sjlrutly. Those that were
hurt in tuat mad rush did not know it,
Jr if .nry and, made no complaint.
Ihcn, aa with one accord, they turned
10 'hc salesman, mULiOnires cXpcclant.
And he glancing at the mercnandi e
behind hlm, swept u long look over
tnclr head AZ the patch Of blue sky
visible through the doorway. and said,
quietly, Gentlemen, the sale is owe"
ior this day.
Through the doorway, out into the
hurly -hurly, yet under the blue ky,
the throng AS quietly melted away
OnErCEatiOnailst.