The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-06-29

about It's being u family portrait ."
cried the salesman, grinniug, and
again the crowd shouted and puyed
the buyer. You can trust me every
time, gentlemen trust me all in all or
not at all, as the poet says. Now here's
another rciZe. How much for this
no doubt a jewel case ?" and the fnn
went on.
Presently, a small, box.like parcel
was put up.
Here, gentlemen, is another level
box. 1t is light"-tossing it--"so it
cant be a wedding cake like the last
lot, In which ! was unfortunately mis-
taken. Year old cake is a little drv.
brother, amt it? Better buy a fresh
lot tomorrow and remember me when
the cards are OUT" and the red-faced
tcamster, who had made that unlucky
purchase, turned all sorts OF colors, to
he huge delight of his unmerciful
fel. W How much 2"
1t did look like something of value,
thai oblong little box, and bids came
fast and in earnest. Men get reckless
at times under such enthusiasms, and
1T was Il long price indeed that carried
oil the treasure. Eager eyes awaited
the unfolding. Paper after paper fell,
string after string wont writhing
down, before the box itself was shown.
Then slowly, reverently. the rough
man lifted from it's bed Of protecting
cotton wool the treasure which had
been packed SO carefully with tender,
loving hanus u year ago and sent on
its unended mission. Torn, it was,
with brlers. Torn and scratched,
rubbed throught to the white-Only a
wornout, tiny baby shoe.
Where was h guying, the Taught
err! Not a sound escaped from the
crowd. For long, long seconds silence
Tell ike u mist upon Them, and lik a
mist things seemed TO each man there
FOR those long seconds, dim and indis,
tinct. What little feet had stumbled il
that bit OF leather and its mate u yea
ago, and wher re were they now Still
~sIurdler and more wearing, or on {
heavenly pavement? Who could saw
AS the buyer slowly turned the slipper
over, u oft of paper with faded writlng
on 1T, plotted and stained, tluttered on
ano lifted dOwnwa ard. Why was il
stained We're they tears that mad,
those blurs, and why
Hesltatingly the mar picked up tn,
paper n began to lcaC to the sllen
men
DEARJoc-OJo Joe. come back to me. ha,
-s NNtiAiiA w ' ICNI
knew how much | loved YOU till YOU,
gone, and now the doctor savs-O Joe, h
says shall not have Sammy much Longer
Come back before
There was a struggle, a showing.
hoarse voice that cried harshIy, lie
me through !" and choked and ceased
then a man burst through them an,
leaped upon the counter.
Give me that us mine :"
Lette" and shoe were wrenched from
the holders hand. An UNDECIDED, un
counted wad of crumpled bills wa
thrust into them in return. Then
with a wild, desperate gesture an,
swing OF his arm, the man plunge,
straight down as though into a tossln,
sea, and plowed his way resistlessl
toward the door.
Those that were left looked at on,
another silently. Those that wer
hurt in that mac rush did not know il
or If they did, made no complain,
Then, as with one accord, they turne,
to the salesman, motionless expectant
AND he %glancing at the ~merchandi,
behind him, swept a long look owe
their head at the patch Of blue SIX
visible through the doorway, and said
quietly, "Gentlemen, the sale is owe
Tor this day
Through the doorway, out into tn
hurly-burly, yet under the blue sky
he throng as quietly melted away
Congregationanst.