Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-06-13

changing the position OF his feet; I'm
glad the doors were all shut, L
wouldn't had mother hear the Deacon
| for a farm"
Again he picked up paper, but the
silence OF the room and dIowsy warmth
or the IRE Were so inviting to slumber
that his head dropped back, his mouth
dropped open and soon discordant
sounds attested to the regularity of his
breathing.
Mrs Martin coming IN later found
him thus, and was Just In time to ad-
NIT tall, cadaverous looking individ-
ual, with pants tucked in boots, a raw
hide under his arm and a powerful
| odor OF tobacco permeatlng all his gar
Rents. He was the owner OF a saw
| mill on Turkey Creek, and had fire.
quently sold lumber to the Martin
Harrow Company, and thus formed
the acquaintance of Mr.. Martin in a
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 rath-
er than spoke, ''howdy, howdy. Is
the old man to HUMP l heerd he wuZ
SICK
Being very deaf, he had, In common
with all similarly afflicted people, the
hrm belief that all other people were
likewise deaf, aud he pitched his voice
accordingly.
Mr.. Martin gave him a chair and he
sat down, placed his hat on the floor by
his chair, and began to unwind slowly
red wooden 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 outspread to the fire.
II brqng load OF lumber up this
| forenoon, an heerd yes'day as how
you'd hurt your leg, an l Flowed then
I'D cum to see you to-day. How du
times sarve you? Pcoty ruff, hey2''
Mr.. Martin kept up his part of the
conversation, which was limited to
mods and smiles, as best he could and
was secretly wondering II this honest
/ simple backwOod sman had ''an ak to-
/ grind" when the dinner bell rang. He
could do no less than ask his visitor To
dine with him.
"Wa'al, yes, don't keer if l do. l
! lowed when | started up 'tware most
eating-tIme, for l SEE to my woman
afOre l sot out this mornin', when she
sez you'd better take bite,' that I'd
reckon on strikin' you bout dinner
time"
Alasi for the honesty of the simple
millmanl Another doubt as to the ex-
istence OF ''disinteTested friendship"
was lodged IN his hosts bosom, and he
WAS not sorry 10 have his guest depart
soon after dinner.
There, mother, was an illustration
-aN.Fa
come later; I've not lost faith yet"
lie felt a little twinge as he thought
OF the DeacOn's call. of which she
knew nothing. The short December
day was rapidly darkening when an
other caller pre- entei himself. He
bowed gracefully to Mrs. Martin,
shook hands with Mr.. Martin. begging
him not to move, and expressing great
concern for his we'll being. He was an
agent for a large iron nrm with whom
the Martin Harrow Co. had dealt for
several years.
''Well, Mr.. Martin, how's ira lie?
Booming, booming, If half L hear is
true, aud I don't see any reason to
doubt IL. You folks have got the best
harrow ever made, without exception,
no doubt OF il, sir. It's the leading
harrow all through the West and
Northwest, everywhere it's introduced,
in fact. l 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..
Martin were his harrow and his physi
Cal appearances; six feet in his stock
Oh.
he was a fine specimen of manhood.
He was never known to express adml-
ration of any man unless in the words:
Hes 4 tine looking fellow, about my
size"
Could this caller have known the
gates to his interest ana goodwill that
he so readily entered themr 1t may be;
he 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. l have any number
of orders on my book for this trip.
have two new customers right here IN
your town." and he drew his book
leisurely from his pocket and idly ran
his eyes down its pages
"It's curious now, the difference in
firms In ordering; some order SIX
months in advance and others run as
close as they dare. L was talking with
the other members OF the company down
at the office, and they say you have
about a months supply. They didn't
order this trip, 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
it in an absent minded way. Mrs.
Martin glanced up with an amused
expression, but failing TO catch her hus-
bands eve, bent over her sewing again
He was all business in moment.
"Only a months supply? That's
close enough to run; L don't like to
run too low. 1 might as well order OF
you now; We shall want the same brand
as before"
"Ah-a-hadn't you better wait till
you have seen the other members!"
when do you leave the cltyI"
sin an hour; my business Is all
done, and so L Just ran up to see you
moment; it didn't seem natural at the
factory without you"
But" persisted Mr.. Martin, 81
won't see McLamm until O'Clock
when he brings up the mail, and by
that time you'll be gone. l guess I'll
order now. Something might happen,
and lt wouldn't do to get entirely out.
"well, Just as you think best; I'm
ALWAYS glad to fill an order for you"
He put the book in his pocket with
An order for several carloads OF iron to
be- delivered within the month, and
soon left TO catch his train Mrs
Martin smiled softly to herself after
his departure
sWhaL's up now. motherF"
The cleyerness of that man In
grinding his AK"
Mr.. Martin stared.
s.Why he ground no ak; he asked no