Australian Tales - Setis

“Call Again.”
“HERE, Jerry,” said a decent, hard-working tradesman in Sydney, to
his son, one Saturday morning, “put on your best hat and coat, and try if
you can collect a few accounts, for I must have some money to pay the
man's wages to-night. You know I have been working early and late
since Monday, binding those music books and manuscripts for Madam
Twangit, of Woolloomooloo, and when I took them home just now, she
told me that she would call and settle with me in a few days. I was afraid
to be too pressing lest I should lose her future custom; though she might
have seen, by my disappointed looks, that I wanted the money. O dear,
dear! what a terrible inconvenience this credit system is to poor,
struggling tradesfolk. Some persons do not know it though, or I think
they would be more considerate. Now, Madam Twangit has plenty of
money, and could just as well pay me to-day as a few days hence; and I
dare say, too, she would be sorry if she knew the worry and trouble
which will accrue to many persons to-day for the lack of those few
pounds, for she is really a kind-hearted lady. In the first place, there will
be the loss of your time, Jerry, in running about collecting, or trying to
collect money. Then our butcher's, baker's, and grocer's weekly bills will
not be paid to-night, and our credit may suffer, and they, too, in their
turn, may be inconvenienced, for they have their payments to make to the
wholesale traders. Then I heard your mother promise Betsy a new bonnet
for Sunday. Poor girl! she will be disappointed, and perhaps will not be
able to go to church to-morrow; and I intended to have given you a new
waistcoat to-night, Jerry. But it's no use grumbling; I must have some
money, however, to pay our man, for he had only half his wages last
Saturday night; and the poor fellow wants his money, so go away, my
boy, as fast as you can, and try your best to collect some. Here's a long
list, and some of the accounts have been a long time owing. Tell the
parties they will oblige me very much by paying you to-day, for I really
want the money.”
Poor Jerry took the list, and sallied out as moodily as if he were going
to a funeral. He had good cause for not being over sanguine, for many a
long trudge had he had before in his unsuccessful endeavours to collect
the numerous small accounts, few of which exceeded ten shillings; and
he felt that he would rather turn a grindstone in the back yard all day,
than go collecting. However, there was no help for it, so away he went,