Close Fisted

1895

"Mr. Putterby, my old time neighbor of 40 years ago, was what we call in the country close fisted," said the man from the rural districts. "He could drive the closest bargain of any one I ever met and could keep house with the least buying. One of our coins in those days was the old silver 12-1/2 cent piece, variously called 'ninepence, 'York shilling' and 'bit,' according to the part of the country you were in, and it was the existence of this coin that enabled him to make a crowning triumph in the way of a close trade.

"A farm boy came along one day with a load of pumpkins which he was peddling about the village at a cent apiece. Mr. Putterby, after examining them, thought he would invest, but half a pumpkin was all that he cared to buy.

"'But a whole pumpkin is only a cent,' said the boy. 'How are you going to pay me for half a one?'

" 'The easiest thing in the world,' said Mr. Putterby, and so a pumpkin was cut, and he took one of the halves under his arm and handed the boy a shilling. 'Now give me the 12 cents change,' and taking the 12 coppers from the astonished boy he walked away with his purchase." — New York Sun.