The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-09-30

Well, the money was paid and the stray
berries were delivered, on the Sidewalk
After discussing matters the boys agreed
in the first place, to eat each a basket (
the berries. Then they decided to set u
a stand on the corner of the square for til
sale of the remainder. Wyatt borrowe
one chair from his fathers office, whic
was near at hand, and another from hi
mothers kitchen, which was quite n
| moved. -
7 By the way, while ut home he offere
his mother the whole or any part of til
thirty.three baskets at twenty-five cent.
But she had already bought six basket
offered his at eighteen cents for canning
and the mother decided that she could nc
possibly take any additional work. Thi
was disappointment to Wyatt, for h
had confidently reckoned on. disposing Q
dozen baskets to his mother. Snaps
mother was out of town.
The spectators borrowed plank; this
resting on the chairs, made the stand 70
the baskets. These were speedily put il
artistic and tempting array. Then tn
boys wiped their hands and faces, combe,
their hair with their fingers, touched u
their neck-ties, Strengthened themselves VI
and made ready for the rush of customer!
with which they would be assailed. The,
sauntered about the plank, shifting at tn
berries, occasionally eating one, lookin:
meanwhile up and down the street TO
customers. A half-hour went slowly by
Yonder comes Billy Barlow sale
Snags. "l'll bet he'll want trade his ole
barlow-knife for some berries. He's beer
tryin' for year to get somebody to trade
bladed, rickerty knife.''
Billy Barlow's right name was William
Williams, but, as Snaps had said, he had
barlow-knife. 1t was the only thing it
the world over which he had undisputeC
control. The one blade was broken anC
the rivets were loose. But Billy ever haC
it on display and was ever trying to trade
it for any conceivable boy property. Hence
his schoolmates had given him the name
of Billy Barlow.
why, what sights of strawberriesn
exclaimed b. B. Are they yourn ?'-
and he ran his hungry eye up and down
the double line of baskets.
"Of course they're ours" replied
Snaps, with quiet superiority.
Coin to sell 'em:"
"Of course" said Snaps, in like supe
riority. I'VE didn't buy them to give
away he added, by way of forestalling
a possible request
How much are they" asked Billy
Barlow, with his hand in his ragged
pocket
Twenty-Five cents basket,' and then
Snaps winked at Wyatt, as much as to
say, "Lsok out now for the barlow.knife. ~
That's what / ask for a knife I've
got,' said B. B., rummaging around for
the said article, amid the balls and strings
and marbles and slate-pencils which a
boys pocket is sure to hold.
Here it's" he said, directly, holding
out the knife before Snaps eyes.
1--WE seen 1t before,' said Snaps,
coolly, looking away down the street.
"l'll swap it for one OF them baskets
of Strawberries
81 don't think you WILL" Wyatt an
swered
Its a first-rate knife,' said B. B., with
the sad light of disappointment in his
eyes.
Snaps whispered a few words in the
ear Of his partner.
"All right" Wyatt answered aloud.
Look here, Barlow" Snaps said; II
don't want your knife-I wouldn't q i've it
pocket-room. You've tried to trade it to
every boy in this town. We're all tired
hearing about that old barlow. Now, if
you'll throw it as far as you can send it
we'll give you basket of berries"
It's bargain" said Billy Barlow.
He placed himself in position, and
threw the knife halfway across the
Square.
"All right; take your basket" Snaps
said, with a good feeling at his heart.
Billy. walked down one side of the
plank and up the other. Then he picked
out the basket which seemed the nearest
full and to have the largest, ripest berries
With this he walked off in the direction
his knife had gone. A few days after he
girl for halfstick Of liquorice.
But that Saturday morning he met, a
little way on his walk Tor run, rather),
Bob Davidson OF course he told Bob
about the strawberries, and, of course,
Bob took Decline across the Square for
the strawberry plank,
1t was during the war and Bob David
son had been from the South only few
weeks: All thesehooling with which the
town had been able to innoculate him
cure his Southern dialect. -
Law! what's you all got dar:"
Bob asked, his, hungry eyes looking
hungrier than ever Billy's had looked,
as they ran along the bright line of
baskets. Claw! is you all gwine to hab
strawberry festibul fer Mass Linkum's
soldiers an de countryban's?"
No, we amt" Wyatt answered, in a
bluff way. "We're goin to sell 'em for
twenty-five cents basket
Strawberries would tas' mighty good
long wild dem dar 'lasses you all GIN
ME. You ais de p'lites' boys in town,
shows is BAUM"
Here Snaps said in an undertone to
Wyatt: II never saw anybody want
strawberries so bad in my life. Let's
give him a basket"
Bob's great eyes, rolling from one face
to the other, plainly discerned that the
boys were pleased with his compliment
II amt got no money dis berry mint,
but eff you all GIN me some strawberries
I'll GIN you all sumpum-will So"
"What'll you give us ?" Wyatt asked.
Bob thrust one hand in his one pocket
and assumed the meditative attitude of a
philosopher. ~. 49,.
What'll you give ~ urged Wyatt, after
Il pause long enough for Bob to make an
inventory of very extensive personal
property.
"sumpum mighty good" said. the non
committal Bob.
"But what." persisted Wyatt. "You
must tell us or we can't trade.'
Bob took another .meditative attitude
and rolled his eyes IN frantic way, as if
he was trying to see something very diff
cult to find.
"Whatll you give usY' This question
again urgently assailed him.
tell yer" said Bob, with the air of
one who has reached the solution of a
difficult problem. "I'll take de berries
long to de HOUSE, Ito his home he meant)
"den I'll fotch de what-you-may -call-it
straight back-wish may die if don't!'
The boys. had soft places in their hearts
for Bob; they were aching to give him a
basket, so they agreed to his proposal and
he bore away the berries. e -'isn..
The next customer was Miss Burchett.
She was tall, thin woman, with steel-col.
ored eyes and iron.gray hair. She wore a