Alexandria Daily Advertiser

FROM THE BALANCE.

THE LIMNER

'Visit your aunt, but not every day in the year.' SPANISH PROVERB.

"It is not the quarter of a dollar that I so much mind," said Scruple, "as the manner in which it is solicited I hate importunity." This observation was caused by the application of a miserable looking object for charity. this mode of asking alms was indeed singular. He presented a printed hand-bill, under the signature of "Humanity," representing himself to be a poor orphan, grievously afflicted with innumerable fever-sores, &c. and advertising a book which he had for sale. He soon after called with his book, with an expectation of receiving twenty-five cents, not as a gift but as the price of a paltry fiction, which was dignified with the title of a History. I confess I was not much surprised at Scruple's remark. I was too much disgusted myself to blame him. You know, Mr. Editor (for you are undoubtedly acquainted with the trade) that there is some profit in pricing books, provided they will sell. Some petty chap-man had, in all probability, taken this method to dispose of his work.

"Well, the fellow has got his two shillings, and let him go," said Pungent, "He only carries on, in a small way, a species of begging, in which others deal more largely." Every eye was turned on Pungent. "It is the first instance of the kind I have ever known." said Scruple. "Oh," replied Pungent, "it is practised daily. It is not a week since a beggar of the same description called on me, not for two shillings, but for two dollars."

"What was the matter with him?" asked Scruple.

"I don't know; I suppose he was needy."

"Was he an orphan!"

"I believe not."

"Had he fever-sores"

"No: he had an itch"....

"What!" exclaimed Scruple, interrupting him, "had he got the itch?"

"An itch for notoriety, that's all," replied Pungent with an arch smile.

"And what did he offer you for your money?" said Scruple.

"He offered to send me a weekly print for a year."

"And is there any thing amiss in a man's asking patronage for a paper?"

"By no means; I would only put those who set up such mendicant presses and beg for subscribers, on a footing with the poor object who just now offered you a nonsensical catch penny pamphlet and demanded a quarter of a dollar for it, by way of charity. Such speculations have become too common. I can see no reason why the public should be pestered with the importunities of these adventurers, who, under an imposing garb, palm their crude whimsies upon the world."

"I should suppose," answered Scruple, "it would be as well to expose their works and let those who like them purchase."

"That would answer every body's purpose but their own," replied Pungent with a broad laugh.

PETER PALLET.