The Penn's Grove record., 1888-06-09

glad the doors were all shut, L
wouldn't had mother hear the Deacon
for a farm"
Again he picked up a paper, but the
silence of the room and dTOwsy warmth
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 bis
breathing.
Mrs. Martin coming in later found
him thus, and was Just in time to adj
NIT a tall, %cadaverous looking individ-
ual, with pants tucked In boots, a raw
hide under his arm and a powerful
odor of tobacco permeatiDg all his gar
nents. 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.
MI. Martin woke with a start, as in
stentorian tones the man shouted rath-
er than spoke, ''howdy, h0wdy. Is
the old man TO HUMP 1 heerd he wuz
sick.'
Being very deaf, lie had, In common
with all similarly afflicted people, the
firm 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
a 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 brung a 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 your Pcoty ruff, hey?"
MI. Martin kept up his part OF the
conversation, which was limited to
mods and smiles, as best he could and
was secretly wondering il this honest
simple Lakewood 'man had ian 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 il l do. l
lowed when l started up 'tware most
eating.tlme, for l SEE to my woman
afore | sot out this mornin', when she
SEE you'd better take a bite,' that I'd
reckon IN strikin' you bout dinner
time"
Alasi for tile honesty of the simple
miilman! Another doubt as to the ex-
istence of ''disinterested friendship"
was lodged In his hosts bosom, and he
was not sorry to have his guest depart
o after dinner.
There, mother, was an illustration
or your side of the question; mine will
come later; I've not lost faith yet"
lie felt Il 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 presented 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 o trim with whom
the Martin Harrow Co. had dealt for
several years.
swell, Mr.. Martin, how's trailer
Booming, booming, If half 1 hear is
true, aud 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 all 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 it 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
ings, broad-shouldered and muscular,
he was a fine specimen of manhood.
He was never known to express admI.
ration of any man unless in the words:
Hes a fine looking fellow, about my
size."
Could this caller have known the
gates to his interest aud goodwill that
he so readily entered themY 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.
Eyes, 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. 1
have Two new customers right here In
your town." and he drew his book
leisurely from his pocket and idly ran
his ayes down its pages.
"lt's curious now, the difference in
firms III 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 eye, bent over her sewing again.
He was all business in a moment.
"Only a months SUPPLY That's
close enough to run; | don't like to
run too low. l might as well order of
YOU now; we shall want the anne brand
as before"
"Ah.a-hadn't you better wait till
you have seen the other members3"
"When do you leave the cityp"
SIN an hour; my business is all
done, and so l just ran up to see you a
moment; it didn't seem natural at the
factory without you"
But" persisted Mr.. Martin, 81
won't see McLamm until 6 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 1t wouldn't do TO get entirely out"
"Well. Just as you think best; Pm
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.
"WhaL's up now. motherr"
"The cleYerness Of that man In