The Forrest City times., 1895-04-12

influence and Importance were wonder
full in small way.
One evening a group of men had
gathered in Mr.. Johnson's store, as
was the custom, solemnly gossiping
about the events of the day. The pro-
prietor stood behind the counter keep
ing an anxious eye on his boxes of
crackers and fruit that stood invitingly
open. He was slender man. slightly
stopped, with his face and upper lip
shaven and an iron-gray beard adorn-
ing his chin. He had small ewes and
bland smile that was intended to be
very pleasing. 1t was hard to keep
the smile this evening, though, for a
lank mountaineer was making fearful
depredations upon a box of animal
crackers" that stood open ON the coun-
tel He dared not stop the man, for
he was 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 maneu-
vered 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. "Yes,
that man that was here awhile back
looking out for pensions is goin to git
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. l reckon his
back pay'n 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 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 wildfre
through the little town, and created
variety of emotions. A few skeptical
souls pretended not 20 believe it, but
they were in a 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 shame that none
Of them ever went to see the Atkinses.
They've got souls to save il they air
PORE she added, judiciously overlook
ing the fact that report said they were
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 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 a pound of bacon, a 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. No, indeed" he
insisted; take your own time to pay
for 1t. don't mind waiting bit on
good customer" Thus urged, Mrs.
Atkins took the ham, and added several
unaccustoned luXuries to her list. He
would not allow her to carry the
things, but sent them in his delivery
wagon, and gave her at parting a po-
lite ''call again" Mrs. Atkins went
home in truly astonished state of
mind, related her remarka BILE adven-
ture to the old man and the children,
and wound up by declaring that Jim
Johnson's been converted, and l know
it, else he never would have did it,"
The Atkinses enjoyed square meal
that morning, the first in many
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