erchief, back
again, gentlemen," he said, raising his hand to his eyes in a very
affecting manner. "As a bargain is a bargain, I feel great reluctance
to disturb its sacred obligations, but I CANNOT suffer a child of mine
to retain such a luxury, while a single individual can justly say that
I owe him a dollar."

"What fine sentiments!" said Silky, who was lounging in a corner of the
shop--"wonderful sentiments, and such as becomes a man of honesty."

Those around the colonel approved of his opinion, and Mr. Halfacre
raised his head like one who was not afraid to look his creditors in
the face.

"I approve of your motives, Mr. Halfacre," returned Bobbinet, "but you
know the character of the times, and the dearness of rents. That
article has been seen in private hands, doubtless, and can no longer be
considered fresh--we shall be forced to make a considerable abatement,
if we consent to comply."

"Name your own terms, sir; so they leave me a single dollar for my
creditors, I shall be happy."

"Wonderful sentiments!" repeated the colonel--"we must send that man to
the national councils!"

After a short negotiation, it was settled that Mr. Halfacre was to
receive $50, and Bobbinet & Co. were to replace me in their drawer. The
next morning an article appeared in a daily paper of pre-eminent
honesty and truth, and talents, in the following words:--

"WORTHY OF IMITATION.--A distinguished gentleman of this city, H----
H----, Esquire, having been compelled to SUSPEND, in consequence of the
late robbery of the Bank of the United States by the cold-blooded
miscreant whose hoary head disgraces the White House, felt himself
bound to return an article of dress, purchased as recently as yesterday
by his lovely daughter, and who, in every respect, was entitled to wear
it, as she would have adorned it, receiving back the price, with a view
to put it in the fund he is already collecting to meet the demands of
his creditors. It is due to the very respectable firm of Bobbinet & Co.
to add, that it refunded the money with the greatest liberality, at the
first demand. We can recommend this house to our readers as one of the
most liberal in OUR city, (by the way the editor who wrote this article
didn't own a foot of the town, or of any thing else,) and as possessing
a very large and well selected assortment of the choicest goods."

The following words--"we take this occasion to thank Messrs. Bobbinet &
Co. for a specimen of most b