Southern Christian Advocate

Christ. Keep. for 1840.

From the London Sun.

WESTMINSTER COURT OF REQUESTS.

A round, full-priced baker, who brings his weekly batch of miserable debtors to this Court—bakers are not, generally speaking, celebrated for benevolence, especially Scotch bakers—stepped into the plaintiff's box, papers and ledger in hand, to make his claim to 25s. for bread supplied to a Mr. John Howard.

A tally young woman, wearing a handsome fur mantilla and evidently careful to exhibit the externals of gentility, presented herself to answer the demand. Her age might be either 18 or 28—the hollow cheek and spare form, produced by early sorrow or privation, or both, prevented a closer approximation to the truth.

A Commissioner—Is the amount disputed?

Young Lady—Certainly not. I have only to say, on the part of my father, that he sincerely regrets his inability to settle the account at once.

Chairman—How will he pay it?

Young Lady—I have 5s. to offer now, and my father wishes to have the indulgence of paying the rest at half-a-crown a week.

Commissioner—The bill is for bread, and it has been standing for some time. Judging from your appearance, I should think your father cannot be in such circumstances as to make it difficult to procure the few shillings left unpaid on this bill.

Young Lady—Appearances are often deceitful. It is equally distressing to my father and myself to ask for even one day; but unexpected sickness in our family has totally exhausted our little means.

Baker (pocketing the money.)—Twa and saxpence a week is not enough. Ye gang about toon wia grand boa and a fine sik dress, while my wife maun wear a plaid shawl and cotton goon, because the likes o' ye will eat an honest mon's bread wioot paying for t. That fine tippet ye hae go'ten on, maun hae cost, mny be, sax go w denguineas.

"It is true," said the young lady, colouring. "my dress may appear rather extravagant, and if I could with prudence, dress at less cost, I would do so; but upon a respectable exterior on my part, as a teacher of music, depends the subsistence of a sick father and two young sisters. (The baker shut his book abruptly, and thrust his papers into his pocket.) As for the boa you allude to that was pledged this morning to raise a few shillings to pay you the sum you have just received; and to provide food for those who have tasted little else beyond dry bread for the last week. The tippet I have on was kindly lent me by my landlady, as the day is wet and cold."

"Well, Mr. Baker," said the chairman, in a tone of compassion, "perhaps you will agree to the young lady's terms?"

"Oh aye," said the baker, "twa and saxpence a month. Pit it down if you wull."

Chairman—Two and sixpence a week was offered.

"Mak it just what ye like." said the baker.

The order was made and handed to the young lady.

As she was leaving the court the baker stopped her:

"Gie me haud o' that bit of paper," said the baker.

The request was complied with.

"Noo," said the baker, thrusting some silver into her hand, tak back yer croon piece, and dinna fash yourself at a' wi' the weekly payment. Ye shall hae a four pound loaf dlka day at my shop, and ye may pay me just when ye're able, and ii I never git the siller, may be I'll no miss it; but mind, young leddy," said he, angrily, 'gin ye deal wi' ony ither baker, Ise pit this order in force agin yere father."

The young lady looked her gratitude—the baker had vanished.