Year: 1863




several years ago. we stopped in front Of al
auction room, to examine the various articles
that were exposed to be sold under the ham
H1er. We bad been there but a few moments
when we heard female voice inquiring, 'Is
this bureau to be sold to-day?" On looking
up we perceived the question had been ad-
dressed to Us by young lady, whose sad but
pleasant cOuntenance struck US at once. We
replied that all the articles spread upon the
sidewalk would be disposed of to the highest
bidder


II should like this bureau if it goes low
enough she said, pointing 10 an old fashioned
article standing among the other furniture;
''but never bought anything at auction in
my life, and I see no women here; don't
know as it would be proper for me to bid"


1T twOuId be perfectly proper" we remark
ed; "but il you wish it, viii bid off the
bureau for you"


"If you will, sir, I will be greatly obliged
to you"


"How high are you willing to go?"


Il don't know exactly how much it is worth,
bat if it sells for three or four dollars, you
may buy it,


aShail / speak to hand cartman to leave it
at yaur house2"


"No, sir, will call at noon and settle for
it and take it away. am very much obliged
to you for your kindness."


So saying, the lady went away, leaving us
to wonder who she was and Of what use the
old bureau could be to her. We examined it,
took out the drawers. but saw nothing remark.
able about it. At eleven o'clock, when the
auction commenced, we were present, and
after waiting nearly an hour, the auctioneer re-
marked "We will now sell the bureau. What
will you give me, gentlemen" One man
offered Two dellaFs, another three, and we bid
half dollar more Four dolIers were bid
four and half and five dollars. We were
astonished that the old thing should bring such
a price. What could we dO-see it sold, and
dsappoint the lady? The thought struck us
that it might have belonged to some friend,
and she wished to purchase it on that account,
and rather than disappoint her, we resolved to
bid again. The bureau run up to ten dollars,
and we purchased it for half dollar more.
Certainly we should not have given four dol
lars for it to use ourself. However, we bought
it, and had it sent to our room, telling the
auctioneer that if a lady called for it, to IN
form her where it might be found. We ex-
amined it again, and began to regret our pur-
chase, feeling almost certain that the young
woman would not thank us for what we had
done; but we never mourn over a bad bar
gain. Our philosophy will not permit Us 10
do so.


A little after dusk, as we were sitting in our
sanctum, the young lady came in, with an a
g.
bought me the bureau-so the auctioneer
informs me-"


"Yes, bought it at an extravagant price.
assure yeu.n


''What did you give ?"


"Ten dollars aud half


"You astonish me- What can 1 do i? I
had no idea that it would bring over three or
four dollars, and am not prepared to pay for
it tonight


"I.suppose it was foolish in me to give so
much for it, but presumed you wanted it
very much.


u did sir, and would not value paying
double the amount for the bureau, if were
able, rather than not have it,


$50 apprehended Perhaps it may have
belonged to some friend Of yours ?"


i
er's'-aud noticed tear come in her eye
which she endeavored to conceal-"but she is
dead now. and want to keep it in remem-
brance of her."


Thinking the lady might be poor, we told
her that she might take the bureau that night,
if she wished, and pay US when she found it
convenient.


81 am greatly obliged to you fdr5our kind
ness, but would rather you should keep it un-
til it is paid for"


We urged her to take it, but she refused,
saying 81 will see what can do, and call
in day or two and see you;" aud bidding US
good evening, she left.


There is-something very mysterious about
this woman, thought we. II may be that she
is poor, and perhaps in very destitute circum
stances. But she shows an excellent heart,
and the warmest attachment to the deceased
mother. Her education must have been good,
and she has evidently seen better days And
we thought the next time she called upon US,
we would ascertain something more of her
character and cireumstances-perhRps her
name-which we felt deeply anxiousto learn.


In day or two the young woman called
upon Us, and with tears in her eyes remarked,
Il do not know what you will think of me, but
all the money l have in the world is FIVE dol
lars; this have brought you toward the bu-
reau you were SO kind as to purchase for me-"
So saying, she placed the money before me in
silver.


81 shall not take the money at present." we
remarked, 81 can do without it. You may
take the bureau if you want it and when you
are able at some future time, you may pay for
it."


She expressed great deal Of gratitude, and
said, "I would rather you should take what
have;" and nothing that we could say would
induce her to take the money again.


You appear to have seen some affiction,"
we remarked, as we saw the tears in her eyes.


"Not much, sir; must confess that have
not always been as poor as am at present;
for have seen better days When nv pa
rents were living never knew what it was to
want anything. Now cannot say So"


"How long have your parents been dead ?"


about six years since my father died; and
it was four years ago last Saturday when my
mother died"


At the mention of her mothers name, the
tears came to her eyes-a tender cord was
touched-we saw it and made no more in
quiries-when she took her leave.


1t was nearly six weeks before we saw the
young lady again. She then called upon US
with the remainder Of the money that we had
paid for the bureau.