The Iola register., 1891-05-08
BUT IT DIDN'T LOOK NICE.
Why the Cowboy Concluded Not to Buy
an Outfit of Clothes.

Why the Cowboy Concluded Not to Buy
an Outfit of Clothes.
Eppinger kept a northumberland
one price clothing house in Kansas
town. A cowboy came in one day with
all the ear-marks of man whose sal
ary had been paid. Conforming to a
custom of the country, the cowboy ex-
lracted single dollar from his roll
and spent it for drink. Then he went
about town in search of the best suit
of clothes the market afforded.
He dropped into Eppinger's store
and at once stood revealed as a man
with money. Eppinger dropped a
customer who promised poorly and
turned over to his son second who
lust dropped in to match bit of rib
bon." Eppinger knew what the cow
boy wanted almost before he had been
told. His soul rose as he measured
the profits. He tackled the job with a
world of system. He made the trous-
ers lead naturally to a coat and vest,
and found hat that fairly rhymed
with the other garments. He threw in
pair of galluses just to pave the way
for a display of shirts, and he sold
light ones in this line so that UNDER
clothes would be needed. Then he
made some collars necessary by the
present of a cravat.
But Eppinger's soul was not all at
peace. Solomon, his son, was off
somewhere pleasuring, and the wife of
his sorrows could not stay in the store
all day.
One after another customers came
in. saw the hopelessness of being wait
ed on. and passed out impatiently.
Some of them was sure to buy. and
never complained about the price.
Some of them owed him money, and
fooled about the counter Just long
enough to acquit themselves of dodg-
ing. Could he have waited upon them,
Epppinger would have collected many
a dollar.
Why didn't that worthless son re-
turn? Why should Mrs. E. refuse to
stayp How could one man do every
erythingP Eppinger was in agonies,
but tried to retrieve every loss by
swelling the sales to the cowboy.
At last he had him fitted out from
top to Toe. High-heeled boots, with
all the signs in the zodiac betrayed in
red on the glossy top; corduroy trous-
ers that were warranted to resist all
chaparral attacks; coat and vest of
yermillion hue and doeskin texture; a
broad buck hat. with whiplash cord
and tassel; white shirts that buttoned
with pearl behind and blossomed with
frills in front; undergarments that
kept up circulation by incessant scratch
ing, and socks that Eppinger swore
were imported by his brother, mill.
ionaire in New York. And over all
an overcoat that was better than blank
cts. better than bed, almost as good as
"a home.
That is to say, the cowboy had not
yet paid for them and put them on.
Time and again he had consulted his
pile, waveriug moment and then
succumbed TO Eppinger's charge, lim-
iting more and more the amount he
had originally intended to spend on
spree.
Finally the end was reached. The
goods were all heaped together - a
cheering sight to the merchant,
formidable one to the man. The lat
ter regretted the whisky some of those
clothes could buy. The formed summed
his soul in recompense for all those
customers neglected. He was almost
paralyzed when the cowboy said:
well I'll look around, and if l
can't do any better I'll come in and
take EN-"
Of course if he went out he would
never come back again. Eppinger
swelIed with injury and protest. His
face was covered with agonized sweat,
and his eyes and voice were full of
tears.
Mine frieudt." he said. with a
downward infection. do you tink dat
is right? | haff waited on you ant
zeen customer after customer vent
out. haff gift away the galluses and
she neckties and l haff drowed off
dwendy per cent on everything. l half
gift you my whole shtore for halluf
day. Do you tink it is right you say:
If cant do no better as dot come
in ag'inp"
But the spell had passed. The cow
boy was out from under his dominion.
1t was too much money to spend for
clothes when there was whisky still
unpurchased. And he grew defiant
as his senses came back.
Well" he said in tone that rang
thesknell of Eppinger's hope. Il s'pose
man has a right to look around and
do the best he can"
Yes" said the merchant, lifting his
two hands in the patient resignation of
his race, "a man has right to make
tam fool of hissef, but it toant look
nice"