The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-03-14

me, mistrcsses could have deal O. plain
speakin' done to 'em without havin
more'n their share.
But one afternoon I drove into farm
yard an came near runnin' smash into
another tin peddler establishment that
he'd got there ahead of me. With due
respect for the feller's rights, I was pre-
parin' to turn round an get out, when
l heard voice.
"You're swind:er, it was sayin, an
you know it! The bottom to that kittle
is lust the poorest kind O stuff, and the
nose has come off an been fastened on
again. I don't want to trade with you,
an won't so you may as we'll gol'
"It's my little wash-tuh beauty says
to myself, wonderful glad, an so it
was. She followed the man, mcech n
chap, to the door, an could see she
was almost as angry as she was the first
mornin' Id seen her. She wasn't so
pretty this time, either, for she had a
towel round her head, an faded out
calico dress, an boots thet was OF at
the toes; but somehow my heart gave a
thump, an was down DIN my waggin
in no time.
"Maybe kin make trade with you, I"
I says, more jerky than | ever spoke be-
fore.
"Well, maybe you can," she says,
eyein' me. knew she was tryin' to
place me. but couldn't. I wanted to
help her, but couldn't find the words. |
could only bring out my best kittles an
knock off half the regular price on the
ground that wanted to dispose on 'em
quick, SOS to lay in new an improved
stock.
Twas longin' to know if this was her
home, but couldn't think O. no way to
find out without askin' in so many
words, and that 7 hadn't the courage
to do.
She handled the things carefully, but
all of sudden, when l thoug hit she was
examinin' the nose of my biggest teakit-
tie, she spoke up quite quick and sharp;
81 know where Pve seen you," she
said. "It was when doused that
Charley Cranky. Maybe you don't re-
member, since you didn't lose your tenn
per an place-but losin' your place
makes you remember"
Somehow them words made me light
headed-she remembered me!
81 recollect," said, fast as l ever
could, for the fit thet he'd seized my
tongue, SAN wanted to shake hands
with you. He deserved all you gave
| the varmint."
She smiled little-but sighed, too.
'It lost me my place, of course" she
went on, takin' up a bread pan an turnin'
it over. II amt he'd the heart to look
up another one yet; so here I am at
home-a scoldin' one peddler an tellin'
nv affairs to another. You must have q
pretty poor opinion of me, an no
wonder"
She ended with little laugh, an said
she guessed they'd take the bread pan
an the smaller kittle.
"Do you calkerlate to stay around
home all summer" I asked hating my
self because my face was getting red as
fire. -..-
She answered back quite fierce:
81 shall stay till learn to manage my
temper better in tryin' times--which,
accordin' to present appearances, won't
be any too soon."
I said some peddlers was enough to
try the patience of saint, an then grew
redder'n ever, because l was afraid she'd
think meant was above all sich an an
exception to 'em. But she didn't seem
to take it that way. She laughed an
said there was peddlers an peddlers.
Then we settled for the things, an
there being no excuse for my stayin'
longer, went.
l said to myself good many times
that day: "She's got temper" but it
didn't keep her out O. my head a mite nor
hinder me from getting round to that
farmhouse again in week.
This time we didn't make no trade,
but we he'd a few words OF nonsense
over, an we noticed the hearty way
things was CROWN.
1t was near twilight, an when went
away I had feelin' as If I'd tucked
bite o. peacefuluess down in my heart to
make me glad an thankful in the dust
an flies O. the road.
It needed it putty often that summer,
for it grew to be dredful dry season an
the travelin' was vile. he'd to 60 to
that farm house good many times-it
was no use tryin' to keep away, for the
thought O. them bright eyes drew ME
there as sure as honey draws bees.
made excuses to myself, till l most
forgot 1 was a Methodist in good an
regular standin'. Then drew myself
up short.
sits no Use, James Grimes" said;
"you've lost somethin' an you wont
find it unless you find it in them brown
eyes down on the Gray farm"
So put on my best suit O. clos an
light overcoat, for it was gettin' near
fall, an the nights was chilly, an
hired team of the livery stable at the
village where I was stoppin' an started.
But I hadn't gone more'n rod or two
when turned back.
"No, you DON'T I says, ''go dressed
up in your best an behind hired hoss!
You amt goin' to take no such advan-
tage O. the little girl Like as net she'll
be tired with her days work, an in her
common everyday dress. and you amt
goin' in upon her all fixed up, as If you
had no work to do nor nothin', no sir,
not by long shot"
So I took off the shiny store clos an
put on the cd ones l had on when I
first see her. They wcrs pretty Sc. dy,
but put 'em on, an when Id hitched
the old mare into the tin cart felt
sight more square and comfortable. I
was no better as fur as clos went than
the dear little woman wanted for my
wife was. As to character, l thought of
NV n;nas and rnrmh MaYS and [ felt