The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1895-04-19


depredations upon box OF ''animal
crackers" that stood open on the conn
tel. lie dared not stop the man, for
he was a possible customer, but as he
saw his pastry cows and elephants dis
appearing his heart sank within him.
1t was not until he had safely manen-
lvered the box out of the mans reach
that he was able to give his attention
to the chat that, was going on.
Abe Lewis had the floor, and he was
telling something that was truly
astounding. 'Have you fellers heerd
that ole Bill Atkins is goin' to draw
some money soon?' he asked The
sensation the news produced was fully
up to the speakers expectation. Eyes,
that man that was here awhile back
looking out for pensions is goin' to git
a pension fer Bill" he continued.
"You all know Bill fit in the war, an
he's blind, you know, an he's goin' to
| git his money now soon. | reckon his
back pay'll be sev'rul thousand dollars.
It'll be two or three months before
he'll git it, but they say it's sure to
come" Well, well! would wonders
never cease? Bill Atkins a moneyed
man! The news must be true, for the
whole party remembered the pension
examiner who had visited the town,
and two or three men testified to see
ing him go to Atkins house.
The news spread like wildfire
through the little town, and created
variety of emotions. A few skeptical
souls pretended not 70 believe it, but
they were in hopeless minority, and
| the subject was discussed in all its
bearings. The Atkinses had suddenly,
and by no effort of their own, become
| very important citizens. Mrs. Smith,
the wife of one of the ministers, told
the ladies in the sewing society
that she thought it a shame that none
of them ever went to see the Atkinses.
They've got souls to save it they air
pore" she added, judiciously overlook
no longer beggars. Mrs. Kelly, the
lady who had avowed her intention Of
never helping them again, looked quite
abashed, and secretly resolved to send
Mrs. Atkins a pitcher OF buttermilk
that very evening.
Next morning Mrs. Atkins herself
set forth for visit to Johnson's store,
entirely unaware of the rumor that
was abroad. She entered the place
rather timidly and in very apologetic
tone asked for pound of bacon, lit
tie coffee and box of snuff, adding, as
was her invariable rule, that she would
pay for the things as soon as berries
gifts ripe" As Mrs. Atkins had made
this same promise every time she had
entered the store, there was no reason
why it should have particularly inn
pressed Mr.. Johnson; yet he seemed de-
lighted, and hastily produced the things
she wished, but in much more generous
quantities. How would you like nice
ham?' he asked, holding up the article
in question. Mrs. Atkins hesitated.
She was as honest as her limited
! means would permit, so she shook her
head, saying he would get tired OF
waiting for his pay. mo, indeed" he
insisted; take your own time to pay
for it. don't mind waiting a bit on
good customer" Thus urged, Mrs.
Atkins took the ham, and added several
unaccustomed Injuries to her list. He
would not allow her to carry the
things, but sent them in his delivery
wagon, and gave her at parting po-
lite "call again" Mrs. Atkins went
home in a truly astonished state of
mind, related her remarkable adven-
ture to the old man and the children,
and wound up by declaring that Jim
Johnson's been converted, and know
it. else he never would have did it,"
The Atkinses enjoyed a square meal
that morning, the first in many a
weary day.
The two churches-there were only
two in the town-seemed to vie with
each other in paying delicate atten-
tions to the hitherto neglected family.
To be Just, the two ministers and their
wives had endeavored to induce the
Atkinses to Join the church." but
their efforts had not been crowned
with success, largely, it seemed, be-
cause Mrs. Atkins and Mandy, the
oldest girl, had ''nothin' to wear"
But now the other ladies of the church
developed sudden interest in the
matter, and upon receiving the usual
reply one of them boldly asked:
swell, why don't you git dress at
Boothby's? He'll wait till you git the
money" Mrs. Atkins, who was getting
little accuston ed to her unexpected
turn Of good luck, plucked up heart
to go to Boothby's, the largest dry
goods and general merchandise" store
in the place, and, though somewhat I'M
certain of her reception, managed to
express desire for a certain purple
calico toward which her heart had In
clined, but which she had never
dreamed of possessing. Mr., Boothby