From the New York Mirror.
THE BARGAIN.
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What have you there, husband?" said
Mrs. Courtland TO her thrifty and careful
spouse, as the latter paused in the open
door, to give some directions to a couple
of porters who had Just set something up
on the pavement in front OF the house.


Just wait moment, and I'll tell YOU
Here, Henry John! bring it here" and
the two porters entered with beautiful
sofa, nearly new.


Why, that Is beauty, husband -
How kind you are ~


&C. It's secondhand, you perceive; but
it's hardly soiled-no one would know
the difference


It's just as good as new. What did
you give for t:''


"That's the best part of it. 1t is a
splendid bargain. 1t didn't cost cent
less than IA hundred dollars. Now what
do you think got it for -


Sixty dollars:'


"Gucss again."


"Fihy!'


Guess again


"Forty-ive =


NO. Try again."


"Rnt what did you give for it, dear 90


"Why, only twenty dollars!"


" Well, now, that is bargain.'


"Aint it, though 1t takes me to ge,
things cheap" continued the prudent Mr.
Courtland, chucklng with delight.


"Why how in the world did it 90 off
so low;'


IL managed that. 1t aint every one
that understands how to do these things"


" But how did you manage it, dear? |
should like to know"


Why, you see, there were great
many other things there, and among the
rest some dirty carpets. Before the sale,
| pulled over these carpets and threw
them upon the sofa ; a good deal of dust
fell from them, and made the sofa look
fifty per cent. worse than it really was.
When the sale commenced there happen
ed to be but Jew persons there and
asked the auctioneer to sell the sofa first,
as | wanted to 60, and would bid for it if
it were sold then. Few person bid freely
at the opening of "a sale"


"What's bid for this splendid sofa !"
he began.


"ill give you fifteen dollars for it,"
said | > g it's not worth more than that,
for it's dreadtully abused