A Parsimonious Merchant

From Bignor BlStí'a Autubicgrrnphy. V.'hilo in Havana, I becamc aquaintcd with a merchant in good standing, but unpopular in his soüial intercourse by reason of his parsimonious liabits. I eiiduri'd his waspish obstinapy and garrulous disposition without betraying the slightest degree of anger, believing it wiser to repay him in a manner tiiat would ronder him ridiculous in the eyes (f his ïieiids, th.in by rebukti or altercation, thus waving all considorations in rufurcuce to my owu personal feeliugs. The occasion was afforded me at the residence of a wealthy gentleman, whorc a largo aaeemblaae had gathered hy invitatiori, to partake of and enjt'j' hv ■ niiicent liberuhty. Luxuries were nuiasrotis bevond relation, Veing the producís of all cliraes independent of cost. The vichn' S8 of the exolics, thoir perl'uinc, the fruits and drlicacies, the 6ubstantials, the variety and rarem ss of the wines, the decorations, the va'.uable qualitiea of the yjlate and china, the splendid dieses of the ladies, their sparkling fionis and ani! countenances, radiitnt with health and beauty, rendered the event & most brilliant and interesting one. The gncsts were contantly grouping around me in the hope that I would amuse them with some experiments. Most eager among them was the individual I have alluded to. Without hesitation I consentcd, and commenced operations by causing the dissappearanco oí' haúdkerchief's, rings and gloves, and the production of an inexhaustible supply of boquel s. whish were presentad to the ladies. The eyes of all were elpetrified, especially, thflse of ho meieba.nt, yho af tur enden voring to account for what he himself and others had seen, remarked that it was a happy faculty, the obt;:iuing tho giowth of tlowers without owning a fuot oí land. Why did I not upply fruit in like jnannerf " Are you fond of it ? " " Yes, I live upon it," ho replied. "ïhatwill account for the cpaantitios in your ixtc.ki-t" " Iu mine ? " " Ycs, sir." " You havo made a ruistake." " Oh ! no ; I'll tako t)uiu out, if you wjll allovvajo." " With all my heart, sir." lie tumed his body píirtially around, while Lis hand ('ntered his pocket and withdrew bananas, oranges, and othi-r truits, one aíter another, not only to liis cousternation, buttothe great merriment and gleo oí' his uoquaintances. " Wéü, you assisied yourself liberally tct-night," I said. " .So, sir! I never oarry things away ! " he indignantly replied, " But faets show for theniselves," I rctorted ; " and heru is a quantity more of things," taking ironi uuder his necktio ham sandwiches aul grapee. Mu appcarcd ashamed and confused at what liad taki-n place, and lifting up his hunda protested that he was innocent of stualing, and by what magie means they canie about him, his philoMophy could nót fathom. This, however, did not subduo Üíi t&unta aud laughter he wassubjected to, or prfrvont üiy roalizing t'ull sat.istaotion. . m ■!■ ii