Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-11-13

who stood behind the counter, that the
old gentleman had something serious on
his mind.
81 may say" Mr.. Finchley went on
after a time, "that some of us old ones
was thinkin about putin in another
store here. Joe Higgins was a good sort
in his way, but he amt run things ex
actly to my idee. or the idee of some
others, and we cal'lated to put in new
store here, just to smartin things up a
bit in town.
"But what cum to say was that if
you be goin to take holt and run things
here in smart way, SOS to do credit to
the town, you know, why I. for one.
would be asin new store, and reckon
nobody else woald do anything if /
backed out
He paused, glanced at Alec, and OBJ
served that the young man was looking
at him in establishment.
81 reckon you know more about run
min store than about E;owin," said
Jonathan, dropping his eyes and chuc-
king to himself. II amt nothin against
Won on that account" he went on after
another pause, bat without looking up
ct Alec.
The young man felt that he must cay
something, though Jonathan Finchley
smoked On as if he We're in no hurry.
ct would kill the business if another
store were started. Alec said at last.
Exactly" remarked Jonathan, puff
ing with vigor.
81 think the store might be managed
SO that it would satisfy all parties.
Alec went on.
ut cud,'' said Jonathan briefly.
And if l stay here 1 shall do all !
can TO make it a success.
81 hev an idee you cud do it,
81 haven't any idea what Mrs. Hig-
gins nd-and-'Lisbeth would do if I
didn't stay" he also said.
Jonathan winked at the mention of
'Lisbeth and said he reckoned they d
have hard time Of it without him.
Don't you be bashful, young man.
You just go in, and I'll bet 20 dollar
bills ON you all the way around
He rose from his seat. brushed the
sawdust from the seat Of his trousers and
let them down for comfort, knocked the
Got any cornmeal?'
Jonathan Finchley had never bought
cornmeal at the store before, and a
little meditation showed Alec the fell
meaning of this last significant inquiry.
Alec said they had. and Jonathan took
a bag, which he helped Alec to throw
into the back of his light Concord wag-
on. He climbed up to the seat, said a
brusque Good day. and drove away.
Alec stood en- the veranda steps till
he was out Of sight, and then returned
to the store in state of the greatest ex-
citement. Going straight to the back
door he said:
" 'Lisbeth, what do You suppose:
Jonathan Finchley has been here and
bought bag of meal"
Give heard that he and some other
men were going to start a new store,
she said.
; Eyes," said Alec, che came in to
tell me he intended to back ont, and he
guessed it wouldn't be started
If Jonathan Finchley was going to
, s.aEa by them, tEEs meant tho town
;Tould DO on their side. 10th Alec and
, Lisboth had had sore doubts as tc
, whether they would lie considered oiG
enough fer such Irresponsible post. Alec
had moro confidence than 'Lisbeth by
far, for sho knew The way Of county
i village publics, who have very decided
ideas on matters within their own cen
, troll. and this obviously was ere. But
, if Jonathan Finchley was fer them the
+ others would have to come around.
The next question was how tbs
3 finances stood. If Mr.. Higgins had left
no capital, it would be herdwork to re
. stock the store as Alec wished to 90
But he did not think of any sucl, posi-
f bility as this, or if he did think of it b,
brushed it quickly away. Matters mus
be looked into as soon as possible il
order that they might make beginning
Of the new regime at orce. He wanted
to send IN advertisement to the Pavo
nian Gazette for servant girl, but Lis
beth refused TO allow that till matter
were settled and they knew where the,
stood.
Perhaps there won't be any nose,
to pay the girl" she said, but Alec said
Then We II make some.
'Listeth smiled and said they d see
She kept steadily at her work, and Ale
wondered what che was thinking. Il,
felt sure she must be formulating som,
plan.
George Narston started for Pavoni:
by the stage that afternoon and woult
not return till the day after the next Il
the meantime Alec would have to wait il
patience, but he kept thinking over tina
visit CT Jonathan Firchley and the pur
chase OF the bag of meal 80 stEangel!
significant.
q. CHAPTER XIX
FINANCIAL INVESTIGATION AND pErC.
TATIoS OF LADIES.
As Alec thought about the advertise
ment and an assistant for 'Lisbeth, i