The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-08-12

and must confess that was q little
too anxious to get rich out of that wood.
So merely said, Don't make the hol-
lows too large, Mede,' and handed him
more sticks.
".rn look out for that he said.
Now you'll see.'
"After about half the load had been
built hollow, he put our crookedest and
meanest sticks over it, and then covered
the whole with nice wood closely
packed, filing the wagon, so that, to
all appearance, we had on fine, COM
pact load.
my father came out and looked at
it as we drove out through the yard,
and praised us for our industry. Well,
well, boys said he, you've got .
handsome load Of wood, 1 must say.
I'd buy it of you, but l suppose it will
be just as we'll to take it to town and see
what you can get for it.
81 think it will be better, said Mede,
with a slight wink at me. What is such
load as that WORTH
Stove-wood like that-white oak
solid load right through, said my father.
running his eye over the wagon-box,
ought to bring at least two dollars
.'We're going to get three for it. ;
said my cousin.
"'That's too much,' said my father.
Never, boys, try to get more Tor
thing than it is really worth
II knew that he always acted upon
this principle himself; and felt some
pangs of conscience as thought of the
empty spaces hidden in that load.
".But I'll tell you what you
may do he said. Drive to
Deacon Finch's store and get him
to look at your load. He knows
better than l do what wood like that is
worth in the village, and if he says
three dollars is about right for it, why,
my father added, with shrewd twin
kle, get it if y on cant
"He knew very well that Deacon
Finch wouldn't say any such thing.
And as we drove out into the road, my
cousin laughingly said that the deacon
was the last man he would ask to exam
inc that load.
''But as we were driving into the
village, we met Deacon Finch in his
chaise; and the temptation to play q
sharp game on him was too much for
my cousin. For my own part. was
feeling pretty sick of the idea of selling
the load in its present shape to any,
body; and I strongly objected to the
proposed attempt on so sagacious q
man as the deacon.
"'It happens just right; don't you
see? Medad insisted. He won't get
out of his chaise; and it's q splendid
looking load. as you look down on it.
If he buys it, he will tell us to drive it
to his house; and of course he won't go
to see us unload it.
$50 he drove up on the roadside
and stopped the deacon as he was pass
ing. Mr.. Finch he said, would you
like to buy load of first-rate white-oak
wood? Just look at it if you please
"'Tye wood enough said the
deacon. But it's a nice-looking load
you've got; and guess you won't have
any trouble in disposing of it.
"'What is such load as that worth,
delivered in town? asked Medad. We
cut it ourselves
"'How much is there?'
"'I don't know; haven't measured
it; just call it load said Medad.
"'Good as that all the way through?''
queried the deacon.
"'About the same,' said Medad.
"'Well, from dollar -seventy-five to
to two-and-a-quarter; somewhere along
there replied the deacon.
"'Win you give us two-and-a-quar.
ter for it?' Medal was quick to in
quire.
".I told you 1 had wood enough.
But like to encourage boys; I'll look
at your load And to the terror of one
of us, very sure, Deacon Finch slowly
and deliberately got out of his chaise.
Il don't suppose anything in our
looks caused him to suspect our homes
ty; for my cousin did the talking, and l
must say could not but envy the cool
and candid manner with which he car
ried on his part of the interview.
"'You are Mr.. Franks boys, Amt
you" said the deacon, going to the hind
end of the wagon.
"I am Mr.. Franks son. Medad re-
piled, promptly. This is my cousin.
"'Good wood; well-split; pretty smart
boys" said the deacon, tumbling over a
few sticks on top. Guess I'll take it. ,
Shall we deliver it at your houser
Medad asked, almost too eagerly.
"'Wait a minute! What's here"
cried the deacon, thrusting down his
hand and pulling up one of the hidden
crooks. is there much like that? And
he began to dig down straight into one
of our choice hollows.
See here, if you pleasen said Me-
dad, alarmed, you needn't take the
wood if you don't like it, but don't
spoil our load!'
"'Spoil your load! echoed the dea-
con, with indignant scorn, thrusting his
arm up to his shoulder. You wouldn t
be afraid of my spelling an honest load;
but what sort of load is this? It's a
perfect cheat. and you are a couple of
rascalsr
"'You needn't take it it you don't
want it" Medad repeated. more angry
than ashamed. l am sorry to say We
just put it that way to make hand
some load of it; but we don't expect
anybody to pay for it till they've seen
it thrown Off
1.-The deacon did not, evidently, put
much faith in this falsehood; for he
reprimanded us again sharply as he
climbed back into his chaise.
guess he was about right, Mede,
said, as we watched him drive away.
We are couple of rascalsr
.Pshaw! who cares? It's what
everybody does said Mede, buster
ingly; what he does himself, every
time he sells goods out of his store. 1t
takes a rogue to catch rogue. Wen
look out next time.'
ssHe laughed scornfullv when I
begged him to drive home aud reload
the wood in honest fashion. But he
was shy of making the sale where the
deacon would be likely to hear of it.
"'We'n 60 over to the East Village,
he said. It'll be dusk when we get
there; nobody will know us; and by
that time nobody can look into our
load
This plan was carried out in spite
of my too feeble objections. l drove
the horse, while Medad went from door
to door in the East Village, Offering the
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