Miscellany: A Terrible Customer

Some litíle time since, an oöicer of the few, armed wiíh an execution against a gentleman of the western part of :his city called at his residence, and knocking at the door, it was presently opened by a negro girl, and that moment the officer caught a glimpse of the worthy object of whom he was insearch, as he suddenly disappeared within an apartment connected with the passage. 'Is Mr. within?' 'No, salí,' replied the dusky Abigail. Surely you are mistaken, is your mistress in?' 'Yessab.' 'I should be pleased to see her.' 'The lady was called and presently appeared at the door. '1 wish to see Mr. , if you will he pond enouprh to cali him3madame,' saidthe officer very coolly, 'he has just stept into that room.' The lady exhibited a moment's confusion, bat with becoming address turned to the apartment indicated, and in a half vexed and petulant tone, 'said,' George, here's a man wants you, why don't you come at once!' 'Ah, certainly my dear - I'm coming - I waited - a - a' coming, 'ah W -, is that yon? What can you want with me, ehV The officer steppeti towards him, and drawing out a most ominous looking pocket-book, extractedthe particular document and handed it to the gentleman, whoamined it, uttered something savage, 'not Joud but decp,' usheredhisvisiter into the parlor,observed that he would return in a minute. The minute elapsed, and two or three more as usual, when Mr. re-appeared in the apartment with a full sized cowhide in his hand, which to the worthy officerTs imagination seemedto grow enormously in length, as the exasperated gentleman striding up and down the apartment, brandished it occasionally in the air, accompanying the operation withriñe threats of larcerating deeds. W , however was not easily scared,and recovering his composure he began to calcúlate tho best mode of throwing his man as soon as hs atteropted to strike, feeling duly satisfied that the honor of a flagellation was intended for him. Afisr about fíve minutes of awful vaporing, the gentleman stopped short suddenly, dircctly in front of the oñicer and with one cut of the broadsword exercise, dealt,verely upon the 'entrenchant air,' he exclaimed: 'W , what does it cost to cowhide a man?' 'I think, sir,'saidW , drily, "it depends upon the quality and quantity of the. operatien how much do you calcúlate on, sir?' Why a regular thrashing - some twenty or thirty cuta, well laid on.' 'Well, sir, I should think you might calcúlate on $10 a cut; butin all probability the individual for whom you design the special honor, may save you a part of ïhe expense by objecting to the operation, befo re you have completed the number.' 'Ah, you are a bit of a wag, W ; I have heard as much of you before, but I am in earnest.''Well, sir, ho wever that may be, the fidgety customer in your hand is no joke any how.' 'Never mind that, this fellow of whom these articles were got up by sorae of my people, has warranted me - I neglected the trial as matter of course - and now he has had the inpudence to order an execution without giving menotice.' 'Never saw him in my life; has sent his boy two or three times, and 1 promised to cali and pay it.' 'But the'debtis nearly two years old, sir, and he has been waiting for you to cali all that. time.' And he ought to have warted - it is his business to wait. I should have called of course some day, I dare say - and he has the insolence to order an execution - very good - very - good- very good - he shall pay for it,' and coiling his cowhide under his coathe bade the officer accompany lu'm, threw himself out of the house, and strode away to the domicil of the unfortunate creditor. Arrived at the place, heentered the store and enquired of a young man present if Mr. H was within. Answered in the affirmative, he directed him to be summoned. The young man touched thebell, and in a few moments a fine, handsome powerful man came from the rear of the premises smilingly into the store. The hero of thecowhide eyed himfrom head to loot as he approached, and there was evidently a decided change in his sentiments very rapidly taking place as Mr. H came up, the gentleman holding out the bil!, said, 'You are the person from whom these articles were obtained?' 'I am sir.' 'And y ou ordered a warrant on the bill?' 'I did, sir.' 'And then an execution?' 'I did, sir.' And this is the true amount?' 'It is, sir.' Well, Mr. H , receipt the bill, if you please.' Itwas done, and the gentleman paid down the whole amount, received the thanks of his creditor, promised him his future custom, and, with a politebéw, withdrew, followed by the officer whom he had twitched by the sleeve. 'I say, W ,that H isa remarkably muscular man, ehV 'Fine model for Hercules,' observed W , drily. 'That he is,- ho, W , by-the-bye, you needn't say nothing of this, you know - here you ought to be paid, though - there's five dollars for y our trouble - good dav.'