West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-04-05

Again he picked up a paper, but the
silence OF the room and drowsy wanmth
OF the fire were so inviting TO slumber
that his head dropped back, his mouth
dropped open and soon discordant sounds
attested to the regularity of his breath
ing.
Mrs. Martin coming in later found him
thus, and was Just in time TO admit n
tall, cadaverOus looking Individual. with
pants tucked in boots, n raw hide under
his arm and q powerful odor Of tobacco
/ permeating all his garments. He was
the owner OF a saw mill on Turkey Creek.
and had frequently sold lumber 20 the
Martin Harrow Company, and thus
/ formed the acquaintance OF Mr.. Martin,
/ IN business way. This he evidently
thought sufficient to allow his appear.
ance at the house of the President OF the
| Company.
Mr.. Martin woke with a start as in
stentorian tones the man shouted rather
than spoke, "fIowdy, howdy. Is the
old man to hunt | heerd he wuz sick. 4"
Being very deaf, he had, in common
with ul similarly afflicted people, the
firm belief that all other people were
likewise deaf, and he pitched his voice
accordingly.
Mrs. Martin gave him chair and he
sat down, placed his hat on the floor hy
his chair, and began to unwind slowly
red wooon comforter" which en-
veloped his neck and head. He put
this beside the hat and leaned forward,
with his elbows on his knees and his
hands outsprcad TO the fire.
Il brung load of lumber up this
/ forenoon, an he6rd yes'day as how
you'd hurt your leg, an lowed then
/ Id cum TO see you to day. How du
times sarve youl Pooty ruiz, heyln
! Mr.. Martin kept up his part of the CON
versation, which was limited TO mods and
smiles, rs best he could and was secretly
wondering If this honest, simple back
woodsman had ''an ak to grindn when
the dinner bell rang. lie could do no
less than ask his visitor TO dine with
him.
"Wa'al, yes, don't keer if | do.
lowed when ] started up 'tware most
eating time, for j seL 10 my woman afore
| sot out this mornin', when she seL you'd
better take bite, that I'd reckon on
strikin' you bout dinner-time."
Alas for the honesty Of the simple
millman! Another doubt as TO the ex.
istence OF "disinterested friendship was
lodged in his ho>t's bosom, and he was
not sorry TO have his guest depart soon
after dinner.
"Ihere, mother, was an illustration OF
your side of the question; mine will
come later; I've not lost faith yet"
lie felt little twinge ms he thought OF
the Deacon's call, OF which she knew
nothing. The short December day was
rapidly darkening when another caller
presented himself He bowed grace
fully to Mrs. Martin, shook hands with
Mr.. Martin, begging him not TO move.
and expressed great concern for his we /.
being. lie was an agent for a large iron
/ firm with whom the Martin Harrow Co.
had dealt for several wears.
Well, MIR. Martin. hows trade. Boom
ing, booming, If half hear is true, and
l don't see any reason to doubt it. You
folks have got the best harrow ever
made, without exception, no doubt of it,
sir. It's the leading harrow ali through
the West and Northwest, everywhere
! it's introduced, in fact. / Just came
/ from your office where they told me OF
! your accident. Good thing il wasn't
more serious. Hard fate for an active.
robust man like you. Why, you don't
look as if anything could affect YOU "
The most interesting topics to Mr..
I Martin were his harrow and his physical
I appearance; six feet in his stockings.
| broad-shouldered and muscular, he was
n fine specimen OF manhood. He was
never known to express admiration OF
I any man unless IN the words: Hes a
/ fine.looking fellow, about my size"
I Could this caller have known the gates
to his interest and goodwill that he so
readily entered theml 1t may be: be
had known him in a business way some
( years, and many men are read by an
acute observer
The agent was not slow in following
up the advantage he had gained, and by
easy transition led the conversation to
the iron trade.
'Yes, my trade is good, too; can't
help but be good when manufacturers
have good trade. have any number of
orders on my booltfor this trip / have
two new customers right here in your
town and ne drew his book leisnrely
from his pocket and idly ran his eye
down its pages.
Its curious now. the difference in
firms in ordering some order six months
IN advance and others run as close as they
dare. was talking with the other mem
bcfs OF the company down at the office.
and they say you have about n months
supply. They didn't order this trim. said
they wanted TO consult you first. for YOU
always ordered the iron, and I'll be round
again before many days" He closed his
book and sat slapping his knee with il i'm
an abscnt-minded way. Mrs. Martin
glanced mp with an amused expression.
but failing 10 catch her husbands eye,
bent over her sewing again.
lie was all business In q moment.
only a months supply7 That's close
enough TO run; don't like 10 run too
low. I might as well order Of you now
we shall want the same brand rs before. 4"
''Ah-a-hadn't you better wait tin YOU
have seen the other members"
When do you leave the city7"
In an hour. my business IS al done.
and 80 Just ran up TO see you moment: /:
10 didn't seem natural at the factory with
out you"
''But " persisted Mr.. Martin, 'I won't
sec Mcl.amn until o'clock when he
brings up the mail, aud by that time
you'll be gone. ] guess I'll order now.
Something might happen, and IL
wouldn't do 20 get entirely out"
"Well, just as you think best: I'm
always glad 10 gu an order for You. 81
Tie put the book in his pocket with
an order Tor several carloads Of iron To
be delivered within tho month, and soon
left TO catch his train. Mrs. Martin
smiled softly to herself after his depart
ure.
whats up now, motherr