Gratia's Trials — page 43: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

34 GRATIA’S TRIALS. b ‘¢Them’s real neat, I declare,” said Ira. ‘‘ How much be they, Joe?” ‘Them is cheap at twelve dollars,” Joe answered. ‘‘Id ask fourteen anywhere’s else, but I calc’late to get my nights lodgin’ here, and I’ve got some of the Arab notions about over- chargin’ folks whose salt I’ve eaten. Call ‘em twelve.” ‘I didn’t calc’late to give but eight,” said Ira. ‘‘ Miss Howe's got a new pair over to Wingley, didn’t cost but eight— real big “uns, with a yaller stun in the center of each, and an imitation of a horse-shoe hangin’ down.” ‘‘Oh, them couldn’t a been real gold at that price,” said Joe, loftily. ‘It’s what they call oreide. No one that ain't a judge o’ joowalry could tell the difference, but / shouldn't try to put off oreide on you nor your lady, Mr. Kempfield.” After some bargaining the ear-rings were finally purchased for ten dollars, and Joe Johnson deposited the bills Mr. Kemp- field had given him in a plethoric porte-monnaie of faded red leather. | ‘‘Pretty well filled, eh?” said Ira, jocosely, glancing at it. ‘‘Wal, not so bad,” chuckled the old man; ‘‘but I hain’t made so much as usual this trip, so far.” ‘“Gratia,” persisted Raymond, who had climbed ona chair to survey the splendors of old Joe Johnson's ‘‘jewelry depart- ment,” ‘wouldn't you like this locket to hang round your neck? Phebe Ann Playfair has got a locket, with some of George Liston’s hair in it.” Gratia had stopped at that instant to pick up a twenty-dollar bill which had fallen from the overcrowded porte-monnaie, and as she gave it back to the peddler, she exclaimed, im pul- sively : | ‘I would rather have that bill, Raymond, than all the gold lockets in creation.” “Eh!” said the old man, good-humoredly ; ‘*’tain’t often young gals would rather have money than money’s worth.” —_s Eomicbooks.co =)